Care and maintenance instructions for the different materials on your Andersen furniture pieces.
Andersen Furniture’s products have been processed and thoroughly treated, enabling for easy daily care. Each Andersen furniture piece delivered to your home will come with detailed product instructions and a starter care kit. Additional care products can be purchased should you require them. Please note that product warranty is only valid when the furniture has been maintained in accordance to Andersen’s care instructions.
You may find care and treatment instructions on the following surfaces below:
– Solid Wood Surfaces
– Oil-Treated Surfaces
– Soap-Treated Surfaces
– Laminate Surfaces
– Lacquered Surfaces
– Linoleum Surfaces
All wooden furniture by Andersen Furniture have been dried to approximately 8% wood humidity, and the relative humidity level it can hold is approximately 40% at 20 degrees Celsius. It is recommended that the humidity level does not fluctuate more than between 40%-60%, as wood reacts in varying degrees depending on the humidity of the surroundings.
If the wooden furniture is in a home located in a colder climate, please note that the humidity may fall below 40% when heating is switched on. This might cause the wood to contract slightly, but the wood will expand to its usual size when the humidity level rises again. This occurs due to evaporation, which is greatest through cross-cut timbre. This could be noticeable when table leaves gape at the sides of the assembly in winter and in the centre of the tabletop in summer. Under these dry conditions, ensure that the furniture is treated with either soap or oil. It is recommended to use a hygrometer to check the humidity levels in your home.
Solid wood is a durable material and has a long product life when well-maintained. As it is a natural material, wooden knots and colour variations are common in the finished product. Wooden furniture are also affected by exposure to direct sunlight and heat, and these might cause discolouration and cracks due to drying.
Please also note to not cover solid wood furniture with an oil cloth for longer than 24 hours.
Care and Maintenance for Solid Wood Table Leaves
Andersen’s solid wooden table leaves are individualised and made specifically for each of the tables bought. Should the purchase of wooden leaves be required in the future, please note that variations in colour, size and texture are a possibility. Ensure to always use the supporting leg when the dining tables are expanded with the leaves.
Product Care And Maintenance for Oil-Treated Surfaces
For daily product maintenance, wipe the oil-treated furniture with a damp cloth then immediately wipe with a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture. Andersen recommends a care kit for its oil-treated furniture, which are available for purchase in the colours Natural, Smoked, and White. Please note to always wipe the surface with a white, lint-free cloth before treating the furniture with oil.
When wiping and cleaning the surface, use a cloth that has been wrung out after being saturated in a solution of 1 teaspoon of the cleaning agent Proterra, to 1 litre of water. For surfaces that require a more thorough cleaning, use 4 teaspoons of Proterra to 1 litre of water. Then wipe off any excess solution using a dry cloth. Thereafter, let the wood dry for 12 hours, before starting the oil treatment. Please note to never use washing-up liquid.
Should any scratches occur on the furniture’s surface, polish the affected area with sandpaper (240 grit) or with a Scotch sponge. Thereafter, apply a thin layer of oil on the wood and smooth the oil in, in line with the wood grain, and ensure to wipe away any excess. Then apply another layer but using a cloth to ensure even distribution. Leave the oil to penetrate into the wood for about 3-5 minutes, then wipe away any excess oil. Polish with a dry cloth. This treatment is advised to be repeated 2-3 times a year, or more regularly if required.
Important notes: Do not pour oil directly onto the furniture, and do not use steel wool. Additionally, avoid cleaning oiled furniture surfaces for the first 2 weeks after receiving the item, as the biological oil needs time to harden after unpackaging. A good rule of thumb would be to treat the furniture about 4 weeks after receiving it.
Note to safely store the cloth used for oil treatment, as there is a possibility it could ignite spontaneously if not stored properly. This can be done by cleaning it in cold water, or storing it in an airtight container that is made of metal or glass.
For daily product maintenance, wipe the soap-treated furniture with a cloth that has been wrung after dipping it in a soapy solution consisting of water (1 litre of hot boiling water) and white soap flakes (2 tablespoons). Never use washing-up liquid.
Allow the soap flakes to dissolve and let the mixture cool, ensuring the solution reaches 20 degree Celsius or below. Stir the mixture thoroughly, and use a sponge saturated with soap oil solution (with as much soap oil and as little water) and leave on for 3-5 minutes. If the soap dries out before wiping, apply more soap to the sponge. Wipe away any excess soap from the furniture.
Do not pour the soapy solution onto the furniture directly. Too much water might cause cracks to occur when the furniture dries. Do not use steel wool, or any grease-removing substances.
You may treat the furniture for the first time only after 14 days or receiving it. Thereafter, treat the furniture when necessary, and regular maintenance is recommended.
Should a more thorough cleaning be required, the furniture can be cleaned with soap and water with the coarse side of a kitchen sponge, ensuring to scrub in the direction of the grain. Then remove any solution residue. Proceed to then treat the furniture as described above, with white soap flakes and water.
Should scratches occur on the furniture, sand down the affected area with sandpaper, following the wood grain.
If the furniture gets scratched, sand it down first with sandpaper following the grain of the wood, then use a polishing sponge. Thereafter, treat it with a soap solution. If the scratch occurred on a table top, please treat the underside of the table to compensate for any tensions that can occur in the wood. The first few times the wood is treated with a soap solution, the fibres of the wood may stick up and feel rough. The roughness can be lessened by polishing gently with a polishing sponge.
Tip: The soap solution can be kept in a tightly sealed container, along with the sponge used, and can be used for future treatment. If the soap solution gets too thick, it may be diluted with boiling water.
Product Care And Maintenance for Laminated Surfaces
Daily care: wipe with a damp cloth and wipe after with a clean and dry cloth. For stubborn spots, use laminate cleaner (refer to the bottle for instructions).
High-pressure laminate is extremely robust and requires no special maintenance. With general use, it is easy to maintain. Regular cleaning using laminate cleaner generally suffices in keeping the surface clean.
Important notes:
– Laminated surfaces are not able to withstand hot objects such as pots and pans
– Use the mildest, gentlest detergent possible
– Do not use abrasive cleaners such as scouring powder and steel wool.
– Substances such as wax and polish etc. should not be used
– When using a cleaning substance other than laminate cleaner, it is necessary to thereafter clean the surface with warm water.
Laminate cleaner is also suitable for cleaning chairs made from synthetic materials, plastic and high-gloss surfaces.
Product Care And Maintenance for Linoleum Furniture
For daily care, wipe with a damp, lint-free cloth and. If required, you may use a cleaning agent with a neutral pH value. It is recommended to treat linoleum surfaces twice a month to ensure surface resistance.
Linoleum is manufactured using natural material: linseed oil, resin, wood dust and environmentally-friendly coloured pigments. The material is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Like solid wood, linoleum acquires a beautiful patina over time. There may be cases where linoleum surfaces acquire a yellowish film. This is known as “seasoning bloom” or “drying room film” and will disappear when the surface is exposed to light.
Product Care And Maintenance for Lacquered Furniture
For daily care, wipe with a damp cloth, and then immediately wipe off excess moisture with a dry cloth. For particularly stubborn spots, use a cloth that has been wrung out after saturating it in a washing up liquid solution (1 teaspoon to 1 litre of water). Afterward, wipe with a dry cloth.
A coating of lacquer is the same as sealing a surface. It makes it more difficult for liquids, grime and the like to penetrate the wood. A lacquered surface is generally susceptible to scratches, which will eventually appear, and cannot be removed.
Do note that lacquered surfaces require at least 4 weeks to harden, so do handle your furniture with care during this period. After the lacquer has hardened, note that it will still be vulnerable to hot objects, alcohol and moisture penetration, which can leave white marks.