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Material and care instructions

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Material and care instructions

Our furniture stands for high quality and individuality. The selection of materials and elaborate finishing techniques ensure that the furniture easily stands up to everyday life. A beautiful design created from honest materials, true craftsmanship and lots of love, will result in long-lasting furniture. Both Bolia and Hülsta offer 5 years guarantee on complete collection. Here you can read a care instructions from our manufacturers.

Veneers

Use a slightly damp, soft and lint-free cloth for regular dust removal. Always clean in the direction of the grain.

More persistent stains

Dirt and grease stains can best be removed using lukewarm water with a splash special cleaner* and a soft, lint-free cotton cloth. We recommend using a damp cloth and treating the entire surface without applying minimal pressure. Afterwards, wipe dry. Water, ink, fruit and felt tip pen stains must be removed immediately, as they will otherwise penetrate the surface. For this reason, it is also important to avoid intensive ink penetration (e.g. by ballpoint pen or stamping ink).

Solid woods

Solid wood is very sensitive to humidity and light and is easily affected by its surroundings It is recommended that you do not place the furniture in direct sunlight. The ideal temperature is between 18-21°C. An air humidity level of 45-55% is optimum. Solid wood furniture can be damaged by being stored in a room with fluctuating humidity and temperature. You should never place the furniture close to heat sources such as radiators or wood stoves, as this can cause severe drying and cracks in the wood.

You must also take care to avoid putting placemats, vases or other objects in the same place for longer periods of time, as this will result in discolouration that may be difficult to even out. Never place tea lights, pots or other hot objects directly on the wooden surface, as this may leave permanent marks.

Before first use

In the case of Bolia products, we recommend oiling both the surface and the backside before use. We recommend retreatment after 3-4 weeks. The backside only every other time. Afterwards, the furniture should be treated 2-3 times annually, depending on use and wear.

The first times you treat your new furniture, some of the wood fibres may rise up and cause the wood to feel rough. Sand very lightly with a 220 grit sanding sponge.

Everyday cleaning

Use a soft, lint-free cloth for regular dust removal. Surfaces with closed pores (maple, beech for instance) can be cleaned with luke-warm water with a splash of a mild cleaner. Open-pored surfaces (oak, walnut for instance) should only be treated with a slightly damp cloth. After cleaning, dry your solid wood surfaces with a soft cloth.

More persistent stains

Dirt and grease stains can best be removed using lukewarm water with a splash of a special power cleaner* and a soft, lint-free cotton cloth. We recommend using a damp cloth and treating the entire surface without applying minimal pressure. Afterwards, wipe dry. Water, ink, fruit and felt tip pen stains must be removed immediately, as they will otherwise penetrate the surface. For this reason, it is also important to avoid intensive ink penetration (e.g. by ballpoint pen or stamping ink).

Lacquers

Regular care

Hülsta lacquered surfaces are very easy to care for and do not require specific maintenance. Dust can easily be removed using a feather duster. Alternatively, a slightly damp cloth can be used for closed-pored wood surfaces. Never use substances that leave traces (waxes or oils for instance) which yellow or leave resin. Do not use any abrasive substances (for instance aggressive cleaners, scouring powder or solvents) either. Open-pored surfaces such as oak might roughen when exposed to dampness.

More persistent stains

Remove spilt liquids immediately with an absorbent, moistened cloth, as this facilitates cleaning. Coffee and tea stains are best removed by applying an undiluted mild cleaner directly to a damp cloth. Only apply little pressure whilst cleaning and wiping. Ink, fruit and felt tip pen stains, tea, coffee, red wine and mustard should not be left on the surface and must be removed immediately. Intensive exposure to ink (for instance ball point pen ink and stamp ink) must be avoided at all cost.

High-gloss

Regular care

Always use a damp cloth to wipe high-gloss surfaces and do not apply too much pressure during the cleaning process. Dry dusters may cause scratches. Conventional micro fibre cloths are also unsuitable due to their sharp fibres and can matt the surface with fine scratches. In order to ensure perfect care of your high-gloss surfaces. Hülsta has developed the Ultra-Gloss care product.* Ultra-Gloss seals the surfaces with an additional protective layer and makes them even more resistant. Ultra-Gloss is ecologically harmless and can even be used for surfaces in the kitchen. Do not use furniture polishes (waxes, oils) as these leave a greasy film on the surface and reduce brilliance. Should the surface over time have lost some of its brilliance, we recommend using UltraGloss. This might be the case after 12 months.

Removal of dirt and stains

Single stains, more persistent stains and greasy fingerprints can generally be easily removed using the special cleaner from Hülsta*. Do not apply pressure during cleaning and dry-wiping. This is how to maintain the fascinating brilliance of the surfaces.

Metals

Correct care for metal

Although metals such as steel and aluminium are relatively hard, they can be scratched by sharp, pointed or rough objects. Surface finishing such as lacquering, galvanising and anodising do not make them scratch-resistant either. Do not use any objects liable to scratch or cleaning agents that contain abrasive ingredients when cleaning the surfaces. Even alcohol is too aggressive for the treated metal surfaces and can lead to damage. Generally, a damp, soft cotton cloth is sufficient for cleaning metal components. In the event of more persistent stains, please refer to the care instructions for the special types of surfaces.

Lacquered steel surfaces

For lacquered steel surfaces, only use lukewarm water with washing up liquid or a mild cleaning agent, otherwise the surface could be damaged. Afterwards, wipe with clear water. Only use soft cotton cloths for wet cleaning and drying.

Stainless steel

To clean heavy dirt, use a special stainless steel care product according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Please note that different products for matt and high-gloss steel surfaces are available within the trade.

Chrome

In order to retain that special shine, chromed surfaces must only be cleaned with a soft cloth and thinned white spirit without applying any pressure. Finally, polish the surface with a soft cloth until it is dry.

Aluminium | Brass

A damp chamois leather is best for cleaning these surfaces. It cleans effectively and protects from scratching. Afterwards, the metal should be dried with a soft cloth.

Glass

Glossy glass

This is particularly easy to care for. The smooth surface can be effortlessly cleaned with a soft woollen cloth and water, if required add a splash of a mild detergent. Glass cleaners are also good. Finally, polish the surface with a clean, dry cotton cloth. Please avoid splashing any glass cleaner on adjacent lacquered or wooden surfaces.

Cleaning of sanitized glass

For regular care and cleaning, we recommend wiping the table with a damp professional cloth*, then wiping it dry with a dry cloth. More persistent stains can be removed using the special intensive cleaner* in combination with a fibre cloth.

Natural stone – ceramic

Ceramic only has a limited capacity to deform plastically. Strong impact in the edge area may lead to fissures and even chipping and breaking of the material. A ceramic top can sometimes feature small pigments in a different color. These cannot be avoided during the manufacturing process and are typical features of the material that do not represent a fault. Avoid placing hot objects directly onto the surface by using appropriate coasters. Ceramic has a stain repellent surface, which can effortlessly be cleaned with a damp cotton cloth or a foam sponge, commercial cleaner (e.g. glass cleaner) or soapy water. Wipe the cleaned areas dry in order to avoid chalk residue.

Naomipeli ceramics

Since each piece is formed and glazed by hand, you may find slight imperfections. These are intentional and are part of the character of the individual piece. All of our tableware are glazed with lead free, food-safe glazes. In some cases and by Raku ceramics we recommend using a piece only for decorative use, not for food. These pieces are called “Decorative” pieces and a description is given on why it is not recommended for food.
Although all of our non-raku and non-mixed material (egz combined with leather, wood or cork) ceramics are dishwasher and microwave safe – unless otherwise noted – we recommend hand wash them. Never take the potter from the deep freeze. Where there is highly textured porcelain or stoneware We would recommend taking a fine brush and brushing those areas to make sure no food is left behind. On many of our pieces the rims and bottoms are unglazed. Unglazed clay will retain moisture so it is best to make sure they are thoroughly dried before setting on wooden furniture.
Placing a decorative piece on a furniture make sure, that a cotton pad is glued on the ceramics avoiding a scratch on the furniture.

Concrete

A concrete countertop is made from nature’s own materials. It is impossible to produce two identical concrete slabs. The differences will be apparent in the colors and shades, giving the rustic surface a unique look. This helps to give concrete its distinctive, vibrant and unique appearance.
To protect the concrete surface, it must be saturated from the start. Although the product is primed when it is at the suppliers, the surface should still always be treated before and after use because otherwise this may cause irreparable damage to the surface. Special Polish care kit * should be used for this. Remember to do it regularly according to the directions, otherwise this may cause irreparable damage. Concrete is organic and thus cannot withstand acid or other acidic cleaning products. These include vinegar and lemon juice. Acidic fluids spilled on the surface must be wiped off immediately. Take care to never place tea lights, pots or other hot objects directly on the surface, as this may leave permanent marks.

Locks

Locks are provided with special grease. They do not require any maintenance. Cylinder locks have graphite lubrication. If they become stiff over time, simply blow a little graphite powder (no oil) into the cylinder.

Hinges

Wipe hinges with a slightly damp or dry cloth. Do not use any abrasive substances; they affect the surface, collecting in the hinges, thus making the moving parts susceptible to wear. Hinges are greased for long-term use. If there is still some noise (creaking) during use, simply apply a thin layer of clear sewing machine oil or silicone spray using a soft brush. Do not use any animal or vegetable oils.

Fabric covers

Please refer to the care symbols on the products! Non-colorfast textiles (such as jeans and other clothing) can transfer color onto the cover material, which is particularly obvious on light and uni-colored materials. This staining cannot be removed from most cover fabrics and do not represent a case for guarantee. The cover fabrics used by our manufacturers feature a high friction resistance, thus reducing staining. Particularly dark, intensive colors might slightly stain in the beginning within the given tolerances.
Protect your upholstered furniture from direct sunlight, as this could change or bleach the colors. The same applies to halogen lighting. If the room air is too dry, natural fibres can become brittle. In very dry environments, synthetic fabrics get statically charged and therefore get dirty more quickly. A balanced room climate is therefore as beneficial for your upholstered furniture as it is to you. Over time, folds and creases result in good cover fabrics developing their individual character. The quality of the material ensures that they will always maintain their elegance.

Sofa covers

When you initially use your furniture, the fabric will be relatively taut. As you use it, the fabric and the thin cotton layer underneath the fabric will quickly stretch, which can result in crimples in the fabric. This usually occurs within the first month, depending on how the furniture is used. Afterwards, the fabric will stretch only slightly more.
The furniture should be lightly “brushed” over with the hand so as to redistribute the excess material on the cushion. These wrinkles are perfectly normal and are not an indication of defective fabric or quality.
Furniture fabric will not be at its best if left in direct sunlight. Some fabrics fade faster than others. But in general, fabric made from artificial fibres and light colors will fade the least. If you therefore need a sofa that will stand in plenty of sunlight, then synthetic fibres will be a better choice that than natural fibres. Bolia recommends that you do not select a color fastness below 4 (scale from 2-8).
In the case of hard wear and tear, abrasion resistance (Martindale) should exceed 20,000, while under normal circumstances, an abrasion resistance of 10,000 or more is enough. The abrasion resistance of our selected fabrics varies from 20,000 up to 120,000 Martindale. Fabrics with a Martindale exceeding 80,000 are suitable for public use.
A sofa changes with use and time. This is unavoidable irrespective of how it is made, the manufacturer or the way in which it is used. The following tips are intended to help you look after your new piece of furniture.  They will ensure that your sofa continues to look good and remains comfortable for many years to come.
  • Ordinary cleaning and vacuuming each week is an important part of looking after your sofa.
  • If you have any pets, they should be kept off the sofa. Your dog or cat may forget to wipe its paws before lying down, which is why only you, your family and friends should use the sofa.
  • The upholstery will change with use, and it is therefore important that, where possible, you move the pillows around.
  • Likewise, it is a good idea if you do not always sit in the same place – it will result in uneven wear.
If you follow this advice, your sofa will keep its shape for longer and the stuffing in the pillows will settle more evenly and uniformly.

Wool

Wool, a durable and elastic material that repels dirt, is a very popular choice for furniture. If you want a natural fabric with excellent properties, and which contains natural lanolin as extra protection, then wool is the ideal choice.
Initially, wool may shed a little excess fibre (pilling) from the surface. This has no bearing on the quality and is solely an indication of good natural quality. Embers from cigarettes etc. that are removed immediately will not leave a mark. Dark clothes such as denim can leave a mark if they are rubbed against white fabric, such as a new pair of jeans against a light-colored fabric sofa.

Wool care

To proof the fabric and to remove any stains, we recommend you use the special care kit*, which contains products that have been tested and approved. Do not rub hard on the fabric surface when vacuuming and removing stains, as this can cause “pilling” and discoloring. You can get the wool to “contract” by steaming it with a steam iron.

Cotton

Cotton fabric is a 100% natural fabric, often with an average abrasion resistance. Rough clothing such as denim etc. wears harder on cotton fabric. We do not recommend that this fabric be exposed to direct sunlight, as it will make the color fade, particularly in dark shades.

Cotton care

Fabric proofing, vacuuming and removing stains. To proof the fabric and to remove any stains, we recommend you use the special care kit*, which contains products that have been tested and approved. Do not rub hard on the fabric surface when vacuuming and removing stains, as this can cause “pilling” and discoloring of the fabric.

Polyester

Polyester and nylon fibres are durable and easy to maintain. These types of fabrics are warmly recommended for hard-wearing environments. Fabrics such as velour change color when exposed to light coming from different directions. This is not a defect but is due to the nature of the fabric and adds an interesting touch.

Care for polyester and nylon fibres

To proof the fabric and to remove any stains, we recommend you use the special care kit*, which only contains products that have been tested and approved. Do not rub hard on the fabric surface when vacuuming and removing stains, as this can cause “pilling”.
Dark clothes such as denim can leave a marks if they are rubbed against white fabric, such as a new pair of jeans against a light-colored fabric sofa.

 

*Ask our colleagues for more information and about available care products. Both Bolia and Hülsta have a whole range of care portfolio to be able to enjoy your furniture for years to come.