Upholstery and Leather | Care Instructions | French Heritage

Normal Usage

Wood is a natural material with variations of color shade, configuration, streaks, and grain structure. Each individual piece of French Heritage furniture has characteristic markings that will differ from photo and showroom samples. Don't be afraid to use your French Heritage furniture - that is what it's for! When you put fine furniture into your home or office, give it the care it deserves. Regular attention and maintenance of fine furniture can ensure its beauty for years to come.

Dust your wood pieces weekly to clean the surface and protect the finish from soil build-up. Use a clean, lint-free, absorbent cloth.

Protect all wood furniture from direct sunlight. Exposure to the sun's rays may dry wood and bleach color.

Wood breathes almost like we do, so extremely moist or dry air should be avoided. Use a humidifier or dehumidifier when needed and do not place wood furniture near air vents.

Add felt pads to accessory bottoms to prevent scratching and use coasters to prevent water marks. Do not let water stand on a wood surface and use a protective plate under vases.

Care for Avenue & Felix Monge

Each piece of furniture is finished with the greatest care using techniques that have been employed for two hundred years. Natural lacquer, French enamel and beeswax are used to create an incredible shine. The aging and the variations of the shine and textures are part of an exceptional and unique way of hand finishing.

Lacquers, varnishes, shellacs, polyurethane/polyester finishes and painted surfaces can be protected with waxes or polishes. Select the wax or polish according to the level of gloss or sheen you desire. Do not mix products as a dull film may result.

A beautiful high gloss is achieved with consecutive applications of paste wax with a lot of buffing. Paste wax is recommended, and offers the best protection for fine wood with a hard finish. Beeswax is a softer, more nourishing wax, and carnauba, a tougher, harder wax.

Satin-gloss and low-gloss finishes are best achieved and maintained by the use of cream waxes or liquid cleaning polishes which do not contain silicones. French Heritage does not recommend the use of products containing silicone as they build up on the surface and are hard to remove.

Care For Maison and Accents

Maison and Accents pieces are hand rubbed or painted finishes on either solid wood or wood with veneers. Their finish is usually a satin or low gloss finish. To protect use cream waxes, liquid polishes or aerosol sprays without silicone.

Care For Paris Loft

Paris Loft Collections are made from reclaimed teak from Java and are certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council. Their surfaces range from smooth to a more rustic hand and the finish techniques are all eco-friendly. To maintain these pieces simply hand rub with bees wax once a year. Apply the wax, let sit for the wax to soak in, and dry off the remaining wax.

Water Based Cleaners

To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended. Spot clean using the foam only from a water-based cleaning agent such as a mild detergent or non-solvent upholstery shampoo. Apply foam with a soft rag or brush in a circular motion. Vacuum when dry. Always pretest a small area before proceeding.

Solvent or Dry Cleaning Products

To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended. Spot clean using a mild water-free solvent or dry cleaning product. Clean only in a well ventilated room and avoid any product containing carbon tetrachloride which is highly toxic. Always pretest small area before proceeding.

Solvent and/or Water Based Cleaners

To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended. Spot clean with a mild solvent, an upholstery shampoo or the foam from a mild detergent. When using a solvent or dry cleaning product, follow instructions carefully and clean only in a well ventilated room. With either method, pretest a small area before proceeding.

Vacuum or Brush Only

Clean this fabric only by vacuuming or light brushing to prevent accumulation of dust and grime. Water based foam cleaners or solvent based cleaning agents of any kind may cause excessive shrinking, staining, or distortion of the surface pile and therefore should not be used.

Leather is the most durable and easily maintained upholstery materials, but it does require proper care and attention. Leather is a natural material and each hide has unique characteristics. Several hides are required to upholster a piece of furniture. Hide variations such as color, grain, and natural markings can be expected. For routine care and maintenance, occasional wiping with a white, soft, damp cloth is all leather furniture will need. Avoid using any acidic soap, which will alter the leather’s pH balance. Soaps can also cause leather to prematurely age as well as weaken and discolor.

Unprotected

For spots and spills blot, do not rub, and remove excess liquid immediately with a clean cloth or sponge. Let air dry. The leather will initially repel most liquids, however, if left to stand, the liquid will be absorbed. If absorbed, stains will dissipate through evaporation of the fiber structure with time. For stubborn stains use a clean, absorbent cloth or sponge. Apply a mild solution of any non-acidic soap and distilled water rubbing front to back, or side to side motion. Do not rub in circles. Clean an area larger than the stain to avoid spotting. Wipe clean using a damp cloth. Go over the area once more using a damp cloth and rub the clean area in one direction. Allow to air dry. It may be necessary to repeat this process for extreme stains.

Protected

For spots and spills blot excess liquid immediately with a clean cloth or sponge. Apply a mild moistened clean cloth or sponge. Repeat process, if necessary, for stubborn stains. Absorbed stains will dissipate through evaporation