Care and maintenance instructions for the different materials on your Skovby designer furniture pieces.
Skovby produces contemporary, designer furniture that are made to last. With the right amount of care and maintenance, you can extend the life of your furniture. Please note that Skovby’s product warranty is only valid when the proper care and maintenance have been followed as per the instruction guide.
Learn all about how to care for and maintain different materials to ensure they get the best conditions for a long life. You may find product care and treatment instructions on the following surfaces on this page:
– General Information on Wood
– Soap-Treated Wood
– Oil-Treated Wood
– Lacquered Surfaces
– Laminate Surfaces
GENERAL INFORMATION ON WOOD
Wood is a living material, and is affected by temperature and air humidity. Skoby’s wood has been dried to balance the average indoor climate, a room temperature of approximately 20 deg. C and air humidity of around 50%. Wood absorbs moisture, and therefore expands in moist seasons and contracts in dry ones. Solid wood furniture is more sensitive to climate fluctuations than veneered wood, but both are affected.
It is best to regularly move vases, dishes etc. on your furniture to avoid markings on the wooden surface. Sunlight will change the colour of the wood; to delay this process, do not expose the furniture to direct sunlight.
Please also note that there will be a colour difference between new and previously purchased Skovby items.
ABOUT SOLID WOOD TABLES
Solid wood table tops are made of boards that are glued together. The appearance of the boards is planned in advance considering the difference in structure, colour, knots etc. The tabletops are placed in a controlled environment after glueing, which are then processed in size, sanded down, and finally finished with oil, soap or lacquer.
Wood adapts to its environment and must not be kept in rooms that do not fluctuate in air humidity and temperature. Avoid placing solid wood furniture in humid or unheated rooms.
Variations of the humidity in the air may create small changes to the tabletop. When a solid top has been exposed to moisture, small visible cracks in the grain and a slight bend may occur. These are insignificant and do not affect the durability of the table. If you wish to close the small cracks, use suitable wood filler.
WHERE TO USE YOUR FURNITURE?
– To prevent a colour difference between an extension leaf and the tabletop, it is best to keep your table extended with all the leaves exposed.
– Make sure your table is exposed evenly to sunlight. We recommend turning the table 180 degrees every now and again allowing both ends to get an equal amount of light.
– Note that sun and heat dry out wood and may cause cracks. Hence, never use indoor furniture outside
-We recommend using a hygrometer to control the air humidity, as a dramatic change in the indoor climate may damage the furniture.
PRODUCT CARE FOR SOAP-TREATED WOOD SURFACES
Daily Cleaning
Wipe with a clean cloth well wrung out in lukewarm water, or a soap suds solution. Do not use washing-up liquid or soft soap.
Removing Scratches and Marks
If there are small scratches and pressure marks, these can be removed by applying a few drops of water to the damaged spot and leaving it to dry. When the scratch or pressure mark “rises”, sand it carefully using abrasive paper grit 220.
If the mark is still evident, apply a few drops of water again. Fold a paper towel 4 or 5 times and dampen it with water. Place the paper towel on the mark and dry the paper using an iron. Do NOT touch with wood with the iron. Sand the wood using abrasive paper grit 220, and finish with a soap treatment.
Important Note: Serious damage should always be repaired by a professional furniture workshop.
Treating your Soap-Finished Furniture
Treat the product with soap before using it for the first time, then treat it every 2-3 a year, or when needed. This creates a repelling dirt and moisture surface. We recommend that you use Natural Wood Soap from Skovby Care Collection.
If a lighter colour is desired to maintain on your furniture, we advise that you use white Wood Soap every third time you treat your furniture. See instructions on the care products.
Make sure you clean and treat the wood within the same direction as the grain.
Application of the Soap Solution
With a clean cloth or sponge, evenly apply the soap onto the surface and edges of the item, lengthwise of the wood – avoid blots and stripes when applying.
Wipe the end grain once and removed surplus soap immediately with a clean cloth well wrung out in lukewarm water. If moisture is absorbed through the end grain, when it dries it may cause the wood to split.
If the treatment causes the wood to rise and become rough to touch, use abrasive paper grit 220 and sand along with the grain, then wipe the surface. Do not use steel wool.
Wood may darken with excessive use of soap.
Please note: Soap-finished furniture needs soap fat, not water. Do not apply water or a weak soap mixture to the furniture as drying may cause the wood to crack. Too much water and incorrect treatment may cause discolouration of the wood.
Alternatively, you may treat your furniture with a solution of soap water.
Dissolve ½ dl of natural soap flakes into 1 litre of boiled water.
Stir thoroughly and allow cool down to body temperature before applying it.
Use demineralised water for oak as tap water contains ferrous iron that may cause discolouration of the wood.
PRODUCT CARE FOR OIL-TREATED WOOD SURFACES
Oil treatment highlights the natural features within the wood. As wood is a living material, different parts of the item will dry out and absorb the oil at different paces; this can create an uneven appearance. Regular oil treatment will even out the natural appearance. You may need to oil the furniture before use.
Daily Cleaning
Wipe with a clean cloth well wrung out in lukewarm water (if necessary add a few drops of washing-up liquid per litre of water) and dry by wiping with a clean, dry cloth.
Treating your Oiled Furniture
Use high-quality furniture oil to protect indoor tabletops against dirt and moisture. Make sure to follow the application and maintenance instructions for the oil product chosen. We recommend Natural oil or White oil from Skovby Care Collection for maintaining oil-treated furniture. Skovby Oil is vegetable oil based. This nourishes the wood and maintains a light appearance, while also impregnating the wood, making it water-repellent.
It is important to clean the surface before oil treatment. If the surface is scratched, sand it with the grain using a soft grinding sponge (grit 220).
Clean the surface with a clean cloth well wrung out in lukewarm water that has a few drops of uncoloured washing-up liquid (pH neutral), add more drops if necessary.
Wipe the surface with a clean with a dry cloth. Leave the wood to dry for two hours, before treating it with oil from Skovby Care Collection.
In a thin layer, evenly apply the oil directly onto the surface, gently rubbing it in with an uncoloured cloth/sponge.
It is important to remove surplus oil whilst the surface is still wet. Do this after 2-3 minutes using a dry cloth.
Maximum protection will be provided once the oil is hardened; this usually takes up to two days.
Repeat this treatment 2-3 times a year, or when needed.
Please note: Oil cannot be washed off and may rub onto clothing before the oil has hardened. Please also note that oil-soaked rags and sponges are liable to spontaneous combustion, and therefore must be stored safely in airtight metal containers or burnt under supervision immediately after use.
Watch the instructional video below on the application of an oil solution
PRODUCT CARE FOR LACQUERED SURFACES
Daily Cleaning
Wipe the furniture with a clean cloth well wrung out in lukewarm water – if necessary added a few drops of washing-up liquid per litre of water. Dry by wiping with a clean, dry cloth.
Do not use abrasive cleaners such as scouring powders or creams.
Repairs should only be carried out by a professional workshop.
PRODUCT CARE FOR LAMINATE SURFACES
Daily Cleaning
Wipe the laminate tabletop with a cloth firmly wrung out in lukewarm water.
Then dry the surface with a clean, dry cloth. If a thorough cleaning is needed, you can use washing-up liquid (a few drops per litre of water).
Afterwards wipe with a clean, moist cloth and follow with a clean, dry cloth.
Please note: Scouring powder or nylon sponges are not recommended as they scratch and can turn the laminate matt.
Thorough Cleaning
Use a non-abrasive fat-dissolving cleaning solution to clean the surface.
Remove the cleaning agent with a cloth firmly wrung out in clean water.
Wipe the table dry with a clean, dry cloth. Don’t use water and strong cleaning agents on the wooden edges.
Wipe the wooden edges with a clean cloth firmly wrung out in clean water and wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth.
Removal of Stains
Grease, oil, felt pen marks etc. can be removed with acetone, thinner or benzene.
Then clean the surface with a cloth that has been firmly wrung in clean water and finally wipe the surface with a clean, dry cloth.
Please note: Never use acidic detergents, wax or any kind of furniture polish, as these may cause permanent discolouration.
Do not use solvents on the wooden edges of the HPL surface.
Fixing Micro Scratches on Nano Laminate
You can heal micro scratches by using a melamine foam sponge. This is due to the materials’ thermal features.
You may also remove scratches by using an iron and a dampened kitchen roll sheet on the surface, ensuring sure you NEVER touch the nano laminate with the iron.
