General Maintenance
All finished wood requires regular maintenance to keep the finish looking as new as possible. To maintain and prolong the look of the finish, the following maintenance practices should be followed:
- Products should be dusted as often as needed using a dusting cloth treated to attract and hold dust or a lint-free cloth dampened only with warm water.
- For heavier topical soiling, Products may be cleaned using a damp cloth and a mild liquid detergent (if needed). Grease can be removed using a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. The use of scouring pads, harsh chemicals, bleach, powdered cleansers, ammonia-based products, or other abrasive or household spray cleaners may damage Products and void warranty.
- After wiping and cleaning an area with a damp cloth, dry immediately with a lint-free cloth.
- Tighten bolts on chair bottoms. After a period of extended use, the bolts holding the legs and seat may loosen incrementally. Use a screwdriver to hand tighten the bolts so the seat is firmly attached to the legs.
- Replace/clean chair glides. The glides on the bottom of your chairs should be cleaned regularly to remove dirt. Dirt embedded in the glides increases the wear on wood floors. Company can provide purchaser with replacement glides if needed, but these parts are often available at your local hardware store.
Things To Avoid
To prolong the look and life of Products, avoid the following:
- Avoid placing plastic, rubber or silicon objects on a wood finish, as their ingredients react with the protective top coat.
- Avoid wax based polishes. Regular use of wax polishes may result in the buildup of wax film on the surface of Products. This build-up may then pick up dirt, smoke, and other pollutants in the air, which may result in smudges and streaks. Used long enough, this may cause the finish to soften, requiring expensive refinishing work.
- Avoid silicone based polishes. Silicone oil is an ingredient used by many furniture polish makers to create a high degree of shine. Silicone seeps into even the most lacquered finishes, making it difficult to remove entirely. Should it become necessary to refinish a Product, silicone makes it a very difficult process, even for a professional refinisher.
- Avoid wiping your Product with a used dishcloth, as it may contain remnants of grease and other contaminants.
- Avoid draping damp or wet material over Products, as constant moisture will cause permanent water damage or warping over time.
Upholstery Care
Textiles, Faux/Eco-Leather
- For cleaning and maintenance, Manufacturer’s suggestion for cleaning textiles is to seek a professional cleaning service.
- Company uses a variety of textiles with different topical treatments or composition. Please consult with Company regarding the type of textile upholstered, before attempting any self or professional service.
- Depending on textile composition, light, topical stains can usually be removed with a mild soap-and-water solution, using a clean lint-free cloth and wiping in light, circular motions, being careful not to saturate the fabric. Remove any residual soap with clean water. Never use bleach, harsh or abrasive detergents, or chemical cleaning agents.
- Note: complete a spot test in an inconspicuous area of the textile and wait 24 hours before attempting to clean the affected area.
- To prolong the life of the materials, remove from direct sunlight and other elements when not in use and turn cushions regularly, if applicable.
Natural Leather
- For cleaning and maintenance, Manufacturer’s suggestion for cleaning natural leathers is to seek a professional cleaning service.
- Company uses a variety of leathers with different topical treatments. Please consult with the Company regarding the type of leather upholstered, before attempting any self or professional service.
- Depending on leather type, llight, topical stains can usually be removed with a mild soap-and-water solution, using a clean lint-free cloth and wiping in light, circular motions, being careful not to saturate the fabric. Remove any residual soap with clean water. Never use bleach, harsh or abrasive detergents, or chemical cleaning agents.
- Note: if you are uncertain of the leather type, consult with Company before any action is taken.
- Untreated leathers are sensitive to their environment, body oils, and food stains. Do NOT clean in the same manner as a treated leather. Professional cleaning is advised.
- To prolong the life of the materials, remove from direct sunlight and other elements when not in use and turn cushions regularly, if applicable
Wood Care
Wood’s natural response to changes in humidity is much more dramatic than the Customer may realize. Under normal conditions, wood products (hereinafter “Products”) of Sossego™ (hereinafter “Company”) contain some moisture, and all woods, whether raw or finished, exchange moisture with their environment. Although an applied finish will slow this process, Products will continue to react to changes in humidity and environment. Depending on geographical location, the degree of changes can range up to three-quarters of an inch from summer to winter months and are to be expected with all solid wood construction.
Due to fluctuations in humidity, wood may change size or shape as moisture is exchanged. When humidity is high, wood absorbs moisture and swells or expands. When humidity is low, wood releases moisture and shrinks or contracts. Products perform successfully when correctly used in a properly maintained environment. Products use only properly kiln-dried woods with an 8% moisture content to ensure stability in climate-controlled environments. Relative humidity in the space where the Product is located should be maintained within a range of 30%-45%. Spaces without proper temperature and climate control will likely experience swelling and/or shrinking of Products. Excessive variations in humidity will cause noticeable changes to Products, including but not limited to:
- Excessive gaps or overlapping of joints
- Warping
- Open joints
- Finish cracking or lifting
During fabrication, our vendors strive to maintain uniform relative humidity during the complete manufacturing process. Given the natural movement of wood, damage claims or Company’s warranty may not be applicable should Products be exposed to extremes in temperature or humidity, or subtle variances in relative humidity changes in the installed Products’ environment.
Outdoor Furnishings
The Sossego Outdoor Collection utilizes sustainably harvested Brazilian Cumaru wood.
The first two years of maintenance are crucial in providing longevity to your outdoor furnishing. Compliance with these guidelines are directly related to the limited (2) two year warranty of the product. Failure to comply with suggested maintenance can result in wood discoloration, separation of joinery, mold or water damage and a denial of warranty claims, if applicable.
UV exposure changes the molecular composition of not only the applied wax finish, but the wood itself. Continued direct exposure to natural light will dry out the wood and age the product over time, requiring continued maintenance to keep the product looking new. Exposure to the elements leads to the oxidation of the material’s surface, and this results in the discoloration of the wood, giving it its characteristic grey/silver hue. As this is a natural process, the silver-gray color may appear irregularly, especially at first.
To prolong the life of your outdoor furnishings, in addition to suggested maintenance, it is advised to cover or bring furnishings indoors during periods of extreme climate fluctuations, specifically during the winter months or rainy seasons. Allow outdoor furniture to dry completely before storing to prevent mildew or mold growth.
Step by Step Instructions:
- With the rougher side of a standard dish sponge that incorporates a low-abrasion, non-metal based, scouring pad, lightly scrub/sand the product in the direction of the natural wood grain.
- Clean the product with a damp cloth and allow it to dry. The wood should now be clean, dry, and free of oils, grease, fats, dust, debris, loose particles or mold.
- With the soft side of the sponge, apply a thin layer of carnauba wax, completely covering all surfaces. Do not over apply.
- Allow it to dry to the touch and remove any excess wax with a clean cloth.
- Complete this process every 6 months or sooner depending on usage.
Note: Do not apply under direct sunlight, on rainy days, or when the furniture is warm. Save remaining wax in its original container, safely closed, and store in a cool, dry place.
For outdoor furniture installations near bodies of saltwater, monthly cleaning is advised to remove salt buildup. Follow standard cleaning directions using a damp cloth and mild liquid detergent. Integrity of the wood grain surface may be compromised over time if excessive salt build up is not removed periodically.
Cumaru can suffer so-called “bleeding” in the first few months. This is caused by moisture, rain, or irrigation water rinsing color pigments out of the wood, which can discolor adjacent building components, structures, stone or concrete surfaces, ect., leaving them a brownish color.