slubs and seeds
Many fabrics contain slubs (random thickening of the yarn) and cotton or Linen fabrics can contain seeds. Both are
inherent characteristics of fabrics which contain fine natural yarns and is a feature of the fabric.
pilling
These small bobbles are also a natural characteristic of certain fabrics. It does not indicate wear or inferior fabric.
Very often this fluffing disappears after a period of use. These bobbles can be removed with a pilling comb or fluff
shaver which is available from most department stores.
Every effort is made to keep colours constant between batches, but the fabric manufacturers cannot guarantee
exact matching. All fabrics will fade in the sun. and, in some cases excessive exposure to sunlight may degrade the
fabric.
Fabric cleaning
Dust and dirt accelerates wear as it contains abrasive and gritty particles which can cut and break down fibres. To
avoid this, gently vacuum your upholstery once a week or use a soft clean brush on it. We recommend that you
have your ercol upholstery cleaned in situ by a specialist upholstery dry cleaner.
Accidents will happen and as stated above we only recommend professional dry cleaning, however here are some
actions to take immediately to limit the damage.
Treat all stains and spills as quickly as possible. Except mud, which you should leave to dry and then brush it off. Remove
any solids first and then blot up as much liquid as possible as soon as possible, with white paper towels, or a
clean white cloth. Try and get the area as dry as possible to avoid ring marks.
ercol cannot be held responsible for any damage caused during attempts to clean furniture. We strongly
recommend that professional cleaners should be consulted.
Leather care
As leather is a natural product, each hide will have its own individual characteristics. Grain pattern texture and colour
will vary from hide to hide and even within the same hide. Growth marks, bites and scars are all the signs of real
leather, it is impossible to obscure them without destroying the natural beauty and softness of the hides.
Leather furniture in a normal domestic environment should require little attention and cleaning should only be done
when necessary. We advise that the leather should be regularly dusted and at least twice a year the surface should
be wiped over with a damp cloth, with special attention paid to crevices where dust and dirt could be a cause of
hidden wear. Whenever water is used for cleaning, do not soak the leather and ensure that it is dried afterwards.
If you have a spillage on your leather sofa, act immediately and dab off any excess liquids and solids, then contact a
specialist leather cleaning company.
Wood care and maintenance
Wood displays different grain patterns depending on which way it is cut - for example, the ‘medullary ray’ which
appears on oak is a mark of good quality timber and appears when the wood is cut across the grain allowing
growth rings and flecs in the grain to show - these are just characteristics of the natural beauty of the wood.
Different grain patterns, colour and shading will occur within the same piece of furniture, this is a natural
characteristic of wood. All timber surfaces will change colour and mellow over time. New furniture will initially
vary in shade from older items.
Furniture with a matt lacquered or painted surface should be dusted with a dry cloth. Spillages should be wiped
up as soon as possible. Occasionally wipe with a very lightly dampened soft cloth and a mild detergent and dry
with a lint free soft cloth immediately. When using the surface for serving food and drinks it is best to use
protective mats and coasters. Spillages should be wiped up as soon as possible.
Furniture with a shiny surface should also be dusted with a soft cloth. Polish the surfaces using only natural bees
wax a maximum of twice a year. ercol bees wax can be bought from your local retailer.
Spray polishes should not be used as they contain silicones which may spoil the furniture’s surface by building up
over time. Use of cleaning materials containing abrasive compounds, acidic or caustic reagents and any bleaches
containing oxidising reagents should be avoided as prolonged use may damage the lacquered surface.
Our furniture will endure most temperatures in the home but it is best to avoid placing furniture next to heat
sources such as radiators, or in direct sunlight. Timber will expand and contract with changes in room
temperature and humidity. This is particularly evident with painted furniture where as well as clearance gaps
around doors and draws expanding or contracting, fine hairline cracks may appear on the painted surfaces and
where pieces of timber join together. These tiny cracks are unavoidable and will occur over time.
Safety Instructions
Never drag furniture when moving it, always lift it. Please take care when handling or moving the furniture as
careless handling may cause damage or injur y. No liability will be accepted for damage or injur y caused by
incor rectly installed furniture.
Cer tain cabinets require fixing to the wall for stability. This will be indicated on the instr uction leaflet provided.
Take care when opening the door s or dr awers to such units before they have been securely fixed to the wall.
Cabinets with Glass
Warning:
a) Do not place ver y hot or ver y cold items on the glass surfaces unless adequately thick table mats are used to
prevent such items from coming into contact with the glass. Temperature extremes may lead to cracking.
b) Do not sit or stand upon the glass surfaces.
c) Do not use the glass as a chopping surface. Do not str ike the glass with hard or pointed items.
d) When cleaning glass panels use a damp cloth or leather with washing up liquid, soft soap or a propriety
window cleaner ; do not use washing powders or any other substances containing abrasives since these
substances scratch glass.
