Cleaning Guide

This guide will instruct you on the best ways to care for your pieces so that you can maximize their life. The location of your furniture can affect its longevity. Placing furniture where it can touch external walls can create moisture build-up, and placing it too close to radiators, heaters, and gas or wood fires can increase the risk of scorching damage or discoloration. Sharp objects such as buckles, rings, and even the claws of your pets can tear, scratch, or break the furniture. Protect from direct sunlight and rotate reversible cushions at regular intervals. Vacuum cushions weekly on low suction and take care with surfaces.

LEATHER: Vacuum or wipe with a cloth regularly to remove dust. Clean with a damp cloth and mild soap and water or a soft Leather cleaner. Blot all spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth. Do not rub. Do not use abrasive or corrosive cleaners as they will damage the Leather. Avoid direct sunlight.

FABRIC: All Fabrics within the Caracole line of furniture are labeled Cleaning Code “S”. Spot clean only with a water-free dry cleaning solvent. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Do not saturate. DO NOT USE WATER. Pile Fabrics may require brushing with a nonmetallic, soft bristle brush to restore appearance. Cushion covers should not be removed and dry-cleaned. To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, soft bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Evenly clean the entire panel in a seam-to-seam fashion. Do not clean just the spots or stains. Caracole highly recommends having your upholstery professionally cleaned. All other methods of cleaning could void the manufacturer’s warranty. Contact the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification to locate a certified upholstery cleaning professional in your area. www.iicrc.org

FEATHER AND DOWN CUSHIONS: To keep your feather and down cushions looking their best and to give you maximum comfort, they must be maintained and “fluffed” regularly. We recommend that you drop the cushion on its border (the narrow side) and repeat this on all four sides. This separates and adds air back into the feathers. This process will keep your down feathers from becoming naturally compressed while maintaining the look and luxury of feather blends. 

WOOD: Our Wood collections often have lacquered surfaces and can mostly tolerate the heat from coffee cups and dinner plates, however, they cannot tolerate greater temperatures from dishes heated on the stove-top or in conventional or microwave ovens. The lacquer is also water resistant, however cannot tolerate excessive quantities of liquid. Dry any spills immediately and polish the surface, otherwise, liquid may seep through the lacquer and cause irreparable damage. Your solid Wood furniture is a natural product and may expand and contract due to varying temperature conditions. Remove ordinary household dust with a soft, clean cloth, wiping with the grain. If using a furniture dusting-aid product, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions on the product. 

STAINLESS STEEL: Stainless Steel does not stain, corrode, or rust as easily as ordinary steel however, it is not stain or rust-proof. In extreme coastal locations or if the Steel is regularly subjected to water or high humidity, brown discoloration (tea staining) can appear on the surface of products. Tea staining can normally be removed with a mild abrasive cleaner and warm soapy water. 

 NICKEL, BRASS, COPPER, PEWTER, AND SILVER: Keep metal dry to prevent tarnishing which can dull or destroy the surface. Avoid using abrasive cleaners that can scratch and dull metal surfaces. Rub the metal with straight back-and-forth motions, rather than in circles, to help maintain a uniform appearance. Apply metal cleaner with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth and prevent undiluted liquid dish-washing detergents from coming into direct contact with metal as it can damage the finish. 

IRON AND BRONZE Iron and Bronze pieces just need an occasional wax. However, in high-traffic areas or areas that are exposed to abnormal interior humidity, Iron may require more frequent maintenance. 

STONE: Marble, Travertine, Granite, Limestone, and Cement Stone are very delicate and must be cleaned with neutral, gentle cleaners. Acids, even the mild acid in vinegar, will dissolve the finish and permanently etch the surface. Some stones are very porous and therefore, may absorb liquid spills. If liquid spills do occur, wipe it dry as soon as possible by blotting dry with a clean cloth. The best method for cleaning Stone is to wet a clean cloth with lukewarm water to wipe the surface and to remove any marks. You can use a very mild detergent to remove any tricky stains but try and limit it to once every few months. Do not place glasses directly on the Stone, and always use a dry cloth to dry and shine the Stone to prevent liquids from getting into the Stone core. 

SHELL AND PIECED AGATE: Shell is a natural product. It is essential to keep away from direct sunlight, strong sources of heat, or very dry atmospheres. Avoid using strong abrasives or alcohol to polish the Shell, as this will destroy its natural color. To clean your Shell surface, simply wipe down occasionally with a clean, slightly damp cloth, and then blot dry. 

GLASS/MIRRORED GLASS: Glass and/or Mirrored surfaces require low maintenance. A weekly wipe with a slightly damp cloth is sufficient. Objects placed on Glass or Mirrored Glass should always have a felt protector applied to the underside of the item so as not to scratch the surface. Further, items placed on the Glass should be the correct weight for the Glass thickness and distance spanned. 

RESIN AND ACRYLIC: Resin and Acrylic are both synthetic materials that can easily scratch and mark. Avoid placing sharp objects on their surfaces. Certain solvents can damage Resin and Acrylic, so it is best to keep your furniture away from harsh chemicals. To clean your furniture, use a mild detergent in lukewarm water with a clean soft cloth to wipe the surface down. Always rinse the detergent off the surface with a new clean cloth. Once the surface has been appropriately cleaned, dry the surface by blotting it with a clean soft cloth. For Acrylic, use a soft cloth and non-abrasive cleaner formulated specifically for Acrylic surfaces. 

SILVER LEAF: Silver Leafing is a multi-step, hand-applied process. The Silver Leaf sheets are tissue paper thin foil squares made of a variety of metals, mostly copper and zinc. Silver Leafing is a skilled, time-consuming, and expensive manufacturing process. Consumer care is simple dusting or a cloth dampened with water and then dried with a clean cloth. Do not use aerosol cleaners or oils on the Silver Leaf.