Fabrics
Whilst beautiful, each different type of fabric needs different care. Have a look below for how to take care of yours:
Velvet
Our premium quality cotton velvet is suitable for everyday use – but as a delicate fabric, it still deserves a little TLC. To manage dents that may occur, use a steam iron, suede brush or soft toothbrush. Direct sunlight will lead to fading so be considerate of this when choosing where to put your furniture and spills should be immediately dabbed (not rubbed) with a moistened soft cloth. We recommend professional cleaning for heavy soiling to ensure the best outcome.
Leather
Our furniture is made from premium leather– which means top-grain aniline and semi-aniline leather. Aniline leather is the softest, most natural looking leather available and features the hide’s natural characteristics, such as insect bites, scars and scratches. Aniline leather will lighten with sunlight exposure over time. Semi-aniline leather has been treated with wax for a degree of surface protection, making it more family-friendly and more resistant to marks and fading than its aniline cousin.
Fabric
We’re proud to use premium quality fabrics designed for the wear and tear of everyday living, but even these need a little maintenance and care to keep them looking ship-shape.The easiest, most effective way to protect your furniture is using the Guardsman range as soon as possible after purchase. To minimise pilling, vacuum regularly and remove pilling with a fabric pill remover or electric lint remover and to avoid fading and weakening, keep your fabric sofa away from direct sunlight or close contact with heaters.
Linen
Soft, natural and quick to dry, linen is a timeless, traditional fibre with imperfections and colour variations often part of its character. Treat your furniture with Guardsman fabric protection which will help minimise the chance of staining after accidental spills and to minimise pilling, vacuum regularly and remove pilling with an electric lint remover. Professional on-site upholstery cleaning is recommended every 12 to 18 months and removable cushion covers can be dry cleaned or washed on a delicate cycle below 30 degrees Celsius.
Timber
A beautful, natural material, timber comes in many forms and they each have their own characteristics. Our care tips whill make sure you look after your timber in the best way.
Solid Timber
There’s nothing like natural timber to warm up your home; and looking after it is straightforward with a few simple steps…starting with the position. Since timber is prone to expanding and shrinking with changes in temperature and humidity, don’t put it anywhere subject to excessive changes in temperature or moisture. To minimise scratching, avoid dragging hard objects across your furniture, and don’t write with pen and paper without something underneath. Hot dishes or pans may leave ring marks on timber, so always use heat-resistant mats or trivets when dishing up.
Timber Veneer
Timber veneer furniture is strong, durable and low-maintenance thanks to its thin layer of timber attached to an inner MDF panel. Wipe your timber veneer furniture regularly with a dry or damp cloth to keep dust and dirt away & clean spills immediately to prevent the veneer from lifting. To preserve the life of your timber veneer furniture, avoid direct sunlight which can cause fading or yellowing. When writing with pen and paper, pop something underneath to avoid indentation, use heat-resistant mats or trivets when using hot dishes, and avoid dragging hard objects across the surface.
Rattan
Natural rattan and wicker are low-maintenance and made to last. If your rattan or wicker product has been marked/stained, clean with a mild soap solution, rinse and allow to dry, then coat with natural lacquer. We recommend regular dusting with a soft cloth or soft brush or vacuum brush attachment; and using a soft-bristled toothbrush to access tricky spots. An occasional wipe with a soft damp cloth and application of protective furniture sheen or polish will keep your product looking its best.
Product Care Guide
For more detailed information about the best way to keep your new furnture in tip top condition, please have a look at our detailed Care Guide. This guide provides you with everything you need to be able to keep your items looking their best and lasting for years.
Other Materials
Natural or man-made, our furniture is made from a range of materials to suit a multitude of different needs. Here's how to take care of them:
Marble
Our high-quality Carrara marble is quarried in northern Tuscany, Italy, and is renowned for its gorgeous natural grain, veins, colour and tone – with no two pieces exactly alike. As a porous, natural stone, marble is delicate and prone to staining, scratching and chipping. The first step in maintaining your marble is regular sealing using a purpose-built product such as Guardsman Stone Seal & Protect. Use runners, placemats and coasters to avoid contact with anything hot, cold, sticky or moist, including acidic substances such as coffee, wine, juice and tomato sauce – marble’s worst enemies.
Bone Inlay
As beautiful and unique as it is, bone inlay furniture requires a little more TLC than some other pieces, but it’s well worth it. The key to preserving your bone inlay investment is to be gentle. As an organic material, bone inlay is porous, so it should be kept away from direct heat. To protect bone inlay pieces in high-traffic areas, we suggest applying a grout sealant. An occasional wipe with a colourless beeswax will keep your bone inlay’s resin supple - and prevent cracking. To clean, use a lightly moistened lint-free cloth, and dab gently rather than rub.
Glass
Low-maintenance, easy to clean – and impervious to food and wine stains - glass is contemporary, clear and a popular choice for dining, coffee and side tables. To reduce the risk of spillage, marks and scratches, use coasters or placemats, steer clear of heavy items, and avoid placing items with rough bases or sharp corners directly onto the glass. Clean your glass using a chamois or microfibre cloth dampened with either a mild detergent mixed with warm water, or a solution of 1 tbsp of white vinegar, 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and 1 cup of water mixed together in a spray bottle. Afterwards, wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Plastic
This is one of the owest maintenance products around! Plastic and polypropylene furniture products are extremely low maintenance. To keep your plastic or polypropylene furniture looking schmick, simply wipe regularly with a soft damp cloth to remove dust, or rub gently with a damp cloth (and a small amount of dishwashing detergent if necessary) to remove marks or stains. Unless your plastic purchase has been specifically designated ‘suitable for outdoor use’, then only use indoors to avoid fading caused by direct sunlight. And that’s about it.