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Care Instructions

Wood

The following recommendations are typical care advice for any premium quality wood furniture. Following these simple guidelines will help preserve the beauty and soundness of your Andrew Muggleton furniture for generations of use.

• Caring for fine furniture is much simpler than most people realize. In most cases, dusting regularly with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth is sufficient. We recommend using a slightly dampened cloth for cleaning wood and smooth leathers. Be sure to dry the surface gently after cleaning to avoid water spotting. In general, silicone-based polishes are usually not the best choice for fine finishes. The most frequent problems associated with silicone polishes are over-polishing, combining them with other products, and future restoration issues. We do not recommend using oil soaps for frequent cleaning of new furniture. Cared for correctly, your new
furniture should not accumulate enough grease and dirt to require the need for oil soaps.

• Objects should be lifted rather than dragged across a finished surface. Expect some small surface scratches to appear on some finishes through normal use. Furniture wax can minimize this occurrence in many cases, but be sure to test the product and follow manufacturer’s instructions.

• Avoid exposing your furniture to strong sunlight. Unfiltered ultraviolet (UV) rays will discolor and damage wood, finishes, fabrics, leather and rugs over time.

• Controlling relative humidity and temperature is important to the long-term life of fine wood furniture, leather and upholstery. Andrew Muggleton furniture is constructed to allow for natural fluctuations of temperature and humidity. For instance, solid tabletops will expand slightly in the summer and contract in the dryer winter months without any negative effects. If an atmospheric change is too drastic, or humidity and temperature levels too extreme one way or the other, your furniture can be damaged.

• Nail polish remover, hair spray, perfume and potpourri (and any other products that contain solvents) can damage wood and leather finishes. Do not place these products directly on a wood or leather surface, and avoid using them near any wood or leather furniture.

• Rubber, cork, vinyl or plastic products can damage some finishes. Use caution when placing telephones, clocks and electronics on a finished surface, as most have rubber or plastic footpads which can react with a lacquer finish. Avoid placing vinyl or cork placemats, coasters or tablecloths directly on a wood surface. To prevent damage, use a protective layer (cotton, linen or felt cloth) between the object and the finish.

• Please store table leaves flat, apron side up, in a controlled environment to prevent warping or cracking. Do not store in an attic or basement. We recommend investing in cloth table leaf storage bags to protect against minor scratching.

• Avoid exposing the furniture finish to items creating extreme heat, cold or moisture. Use protective padding under these items to avoid damaging the finish. Use caution when placing items that radiate continuous heat on fine wood furniture. For example, some computers or stereos can raise the surface temperature by up to 20 degrees. Prolonged use without protecting the finish may damage your furniture.

It is important to test any cleaning or protection product in an inconspicuous area before using. Please follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully when using any product on your Andrew Muggleton  furniture. Always apply care products in the same direction as the wood grain, not across it or in circles, to avoid leaving visible streaking or scratching. For answers to your specific care questions, please contact us via e-mail at info@Andrew Muggleton.com.

Metal

Cleaning Stainless Steel:
The brushed stainless steel that we use in are furniture required very little attention. Regular dusting with a dry cloth is usually all that is required. If you need to remove smudges or fingerprints from the surface then either a glass cleaner such as windex or special stainless steel appliance cleaner will also work. Just remember to clean in the direction of the brushed steel grain. If you have scratches on the surface then we suggest using a professional metal repairer. They will then use the correct abbrasive (wnet and dry sand paper or scotch bright pads) to rub the surface in the direction of the grain until until the mark has blended back into the surface.

Cleaning Aluminum, Brass or Copper:
Whether you have a polished or brushed finish on either Aluminum, Brass or Copper the surface will have already been clearcoated to prevent the surface from tarnishing. This means that no solvent should be used as it will deteriorate the finish. It also means that fingerprints etc are very easy to wipe of with a dry cloth. You can essentially treat the surface as a plastic. If the surface is scratched or chipped, then we suggest using a professional refinisher to complete the job.

Cleaning Chrome:
Chrome is easily cleaned with soapy water. Rinse and wipe dry with a paper towel to restore luster. An old toothbrush helps get deposits of dirt out from under edges that are hard to reach. For hard-to-remove spots, use silver polish, rinse, and wipe dry.

Leather

Leather is a remarkable natural material. Because leather breathes, you enjoy year-round comfort. As a natural product, each hide bears the unique traces of its own history. No two hides are exactly alike. The fascinating variety of markings includes: healed scars, barbed wire marks, stretch marks, abrasions, wrinkles, insect bites, pore patterns (grain) and brands. Every effort is taken to ensure that the leather on your furniture has been cut and fitted to look its very best. Great care is taken to use the cleanest sections known as the “first cut”.

Some Useful Leather Terms
Pure Aniline: Aniline dyed leather that has not been coated with a finish. Dye is fully absorbed by the leather, creating rich, deep color.
Full Grain: Top grain leather that has not been corrected in any way, allowing natural markings and character of the leather to show through.
Top Grain: The outer most layer of a hide, this is the highest quality part of the hide applicable for fine upholstery leather. Andrew Muggleton only uses top grain leather, never splits.
Nu-buck: A top-grain leather that has been abraded to create a soft feel.

Care and Cleaning:
To preserve the luxurious appearance of your leather furniture, please note these general tips:
• Take care not to mar the leather with sharp objects, including jewelry.
• Avoid long periods of exposure to sunlight or direct heat (including radiators, heating vents, windows, skylights and powerful lamps).
• Use only Leather care products.
• Do not use Armor All®, saddle soaps, ammonia based solutions, Windex®, etc.

Recommended Cleaning & Conditioning Schedule:
Once a month (or as needed): Remove surface soil with a clean, damp cloth.
At least twice a year: Fully clean, condition and protect your leather with Leather cleaning and conditioning products.
More frequent care may be necessary in dry climates, when seating is located near a heat source or when seating receives heavy use.

Q.How do I clean stubborn spots and stains?
A. Different types of stains require different cleaning techniques.
Butter, oil and grease: Blot off any standing liquid, as you would on a silk blouse. Don’t scrub or try to clean! The oils will be absorbed into the hide over time. Allow toair-dry naturally.
Ink: We recommend professional leather cleaning
Water-based liquids: Blot off any standing liquid and allow to air-dry naturally. If a spot remains, apply Leather Cleaner according to directions.
Wax and gum: We recommend professional leather cleaning. Do not try to remove wax or gum with a sharp object because you may damage the leather surface.