Caring For Your Cabinet

Solid Wood

Everyday cleaning

All you need for the day-to-day cleaning (e.g. to remove crumbs) is a dry, cotton cloth. If the wood is especially dirty, use a slightly damp cloth to clean the affected spot. Immediately afterwards, wipe the area with a dry cloth so that no moisture remains on the surface. Please do NOT use a microfiber cloth, grease-removing household cleaner, or steam cleaner.

Cleaning soiled areas

• Lightly soiled areas can be cleaned with hot water, furniture soap, and a cotton cloth (not too damp).

• Treat more heavily soiled surfaces or black spots (rubber marks) with the cleaning pad soaked in natural oil by applying just a little pressure in the direction of the grain. Cover as much surface as you can to prevent color variations. Let the oil absorb for no more than 10 minutes, otherwise the surface will stick.

• Use a dry cotton cloth to polish the wood thoroughly, to remove excess oil and prevent sticking. Please do NOT use a microfiber cloth, grease-removing household cleaner, or steam cleaner.

Care

• To care for and freshen up the cabinet surface, apply a thin and sparse layer of natural oil using a cotton cloth. Let the oil absorb for no more than 10 minutes, otherwise the surface will stick.

• Use a dry cotton cloth to polish the wood thoroughly, to remove excess oil and prevent sticking. Please do NOT use a microfiber cloth, grease-removing household cleaner, or steam cleaner.

• Recommended care intervals

• 1 year kitchen cabinets 3 years dining room display shelves 5 years living room wall units, bedroom closets

Repairing dents

• Dampen dents and steam them out with a moist cloth and iron. The cloth must be sufficiently moist and the iron must not come into direct contact with the wood. Repeat several times if necessary.

• When the wood fibres have swollen and the wood is completely dry, polish it with sandpaper, starting with 150 grain, then 180, and finally 280 grain for the fine polishing.

• Apply a generous layer of the natural oil with a cotton cloth. Let the oil absorb for no more than 10 minutes, otherwise the surface will stick.

• Use a dry cotton cloth to polish the wood thoroughly, to remove excess oil and prevent sticking. Please do NOT use a microfiber cloth, grease-removing household cleaner, or steam cleaner.

Repairing small scratches

• Polish the surface with sandpaper with 120 grain until the scratch is no longer visible. You should always polish across large surfaces and in the direction of the wood fiber. Refine the surface with 150 grain, then 180, and finally 280 grain for the fine polishing.

• Apply a generous layer of the natural oil with a cotton cloth. Let the oil absorb for no more than 10 minutes, otherwise the surface will stick.

• Use a dry cotton cloth to polish the wood thoroughly, to remove excess oil and prevent sticking. Please do NOT use a microfiber cloth, grease-removing household cleaner, or steam cleaner.

Please note

Oil-waxed surfaces require around 20 days to harden completely. The surface must be protected against standing moisture during this time. Rinse and dispose of all oil-soaked cloths and scouring pads after use.

from Team7.at

Veneer

ROUTINE CARE

Normal cleaning

• Dust regularly with a slightly damp, soft, lint-free cloth.

• Wipe dry with a dry, soft cloth in the direction of the wood grain.

• Spills should be immediately wiped up with a damp cloth.
  

Once a month

• Clean the surface with a soft cloth dampened with a quality cleaner formulated with wood furniture.

• Wipe the surface in the direction of the wood grain to remove dirt and fingerprints

• Wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth.

Twice a year

• Apply a good quality furniture polish with a soft cloth.
  Do not use aerosol-powered cleaners or polishes. Also, do not use polishes containing waxes or abrasives, or polishes that are oil-based.
  

STAINS

To reduce the risk of damage, take some precautions:

• Use coasters for glasses and mugs.

• If a glass top is added to the veneer surface, be sure it rests on felt pads.

• Don’t place a potted plant on a veneer surface unless it’s in a water-tight container or in a drip tray.

• Don’t let vinyl binders stay on a surface for very long.

• Use protective pads under equipment with “rubber” cushioning feet. Some chemical compounds used in the feet on office equipment, such as printers and monitor stands, may leave permanent stains or marks.
  

Minor repair of water rings, stains, and scratches

• Rub the surface lightly in the direction of the wood grain using No. 000 steel wool.

• Apply a scratch-removing polish with a color and value that stimulate the veneer.
  If the scratches are deep, consult a professional cabinet finisher.

Other Damage

• Wood is susceptible to bruising and scratching from heavy office equipment, so we encourage a protective surface is placed underneath.

• Objects should be lifted instead of dragged across a surface. Protective pads should be used under items with a rough bottom, like pottery.

• Denting, caused by extreme pressure when writing, can also damage veneer. Use desk pads or some other protection where a lot of paperwork is done.

• Sunlight can damage veneer as well, so veneer surfaces should not be in direct sunlight. To help a surface age evenly, users can periodically move items on the cabinet surfaces so that the entire surface is exposed to an even amount of light over time.

• In addition to light, extremely high or low humidity is a damaging environmental factor. Maintain a relative humidity of 35-65 percent.
  Oiled Veneer
  

Routine care

• For normal cleaning, dust cabinet with a slightly damp, soft, lint-free cloth.

• Wipe dry with a dry, soft cloth in direction of the wood grain.

• To maintain the oiled veneer, very lightly brush wood areas with a fine Scotchbrite pad moving in the direction of the grain to open the pores of the wood and remove fingerprints and dirt.
  Never use wax-based products (Pledge), aerosol-powered cleaners, polishes, waxes, abrasive cleaners, or oily polishes.
  
  

Oiled Finish Maintenance
Only apply oil when the product looks dry.

To oil veneer parts, prepare the product prior to applying the oil:

• Rub the entire surface with No. 000 steel wool in the direction of the grain to remove small surface mars, light scratches, and any build-up from previous oiling.

• Improve the appearance of deep scratches nicks by sanding the wood veneer lightly with no. 360 grit sandpaper in the direction of the grain.

• Use caution on veneered surfaces to avoid sanding through the veneer.

• Apply small amount of gunstock (boiled linseed or tung)oil to a clean, soft, cotton cloth.

• Wipe small sections at a time in direction of grain using a circular motion until the entire veneer is coated.

• Be sure to apply oil to all exposed edges of the veneer.
  Note: Only apply oil on veneer surfaces.

Immediately wipe off any oil that makes contacts with plastic or metal parts.

• Wipe off excess oil with a clean, soft, dry cotton cloth and smooth in the direction of the grain.

• Within 10 minutes, rub again with a soft, dry, clean cloth until the entire surface is dry. After about three hours, polish with a soft, dry, clean cloth. Allow the oil to dry for 24 hours.

• As the oil builds over time, the period between applications will extend.

• Only apply oil when the cabinet looks dry.
  Note: Properly dispose of rags used with oil as they can accidentally combust. Rinse oil rags with water and hang over a line to allow air to get to all fibers.

from HermanMiller.com

Laminate

For daily use

• Spilled liquids should always be wiped or cleaned up immediately, as prolonged exposure to some substances may have a negative effect on the laminate.

• Particularly in the areas around cut-outs and joints, spilled liquids should always be cleaned up quickly and thoroughly.

• As a general rule dirt and spilled substances such as tea, coffee, wine, etc. should be cleaned immediately as the cleaning work increases if they are left to dry.

• For best results, always wipe the surface dry with a regular soft cloth after damp cleaning.

Light, fresh soiling

Use a soft, lint-free cloth, a leather chamois, or a sponge. Do not use microfiber cloths or cleaning erasers since these often contain fine abrasive particles which can lead to scratching of the surface. Wipe the damp surface dry using absorbent paper towel (e.g., kitchen roll) to prevent the formation of streaks.

Streaks often form when the surface is cleaned with organic solvents, together with cold water and old cloths or window leathers. With all cleaning methods, to prevent shadings or streaks, we recommend wiping with warm water and then drying the surface using normal paper towels or cotton cloths.

Normal soiling – longer reaction time

With this type of soiling, clean the surface with warm water using a clean cloth, soft sponge, or soft brush. If required, a light-duty household cleaning agent or neutral soap without abrasive ingredients can be used. Wipe with pure water to remove any residual cleaning agent and to avoid the formation of streaks. Then dry the surface with a clean, absorbent cloth or paper towel. Standing water and other liquids can cause permanent damage.

For stubborn dirt (aged grease residues, shoe polish, felt pen, etc.), a regular glass cleaner can be used. Always test cleaning agents first on a small area inside the cabinet.

The following cleaning agents must not be used:

• Scouring and abrasive agents (e.g., microfiber cloths, abrasive powders, scouring pads, steel wool)

• Polish, washing powder, furniture cleaner, bleach

• Cleaning agents with strong acids and strong acid salts, harsh chemical substances or solvents (e.g., alcohol, ammonia)

• Steam cleaning machines

from Egger.com