Care Guide

We hope that you enjoy your new Devonshire furniture, and to keep it looking it’s best, we have put together this short guide of how to care for your items.

Appearance and General Information

Our Painted collections are made from solid wood and MDF, so you can enjoy the quality and character of real wood under our stylish paint finishes.

Our Oak ranges are made from sustainably sourced North American or European White Oak, and will occasionally feature veneers or manufactured panels to reduce wood movement and warping due to heat or moisture. As with all woods, both will have their own imperfections such as knots, slightly different shading of the wood, natural medullary rays, small cracks and variations in the grain. Every piece is handmade, so no two items will ever look identical.

Each piece of furniture is quality controlled at different stages of production and then packed to avoid any possible damage during delivery. Therefore, the furniture should arrive to you in pristine condition. Some furniture may have fixtures and fittings packed loose inside the packaging, so please ensure you check all packaging before recycling.

General considerations for all furniture

  1. It is best to avoid placing your furniture near to heat sources such as radiators. The temperature needs to be controlled as the furniture will expand and contract in extreme temperatures.
  2. Added moisture may cause the panels in your furniture to move slightly, so adequate ventilation should be provided to minimise this.
  3. Natural light will, over a period of time, slightly alter the colour of your furniture; this is just part of the ageing process. To reduce this effect, we recommend that your furniture is kept away from direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. Similarly try not to leave your furniture in direct sunlight, this could dry out the wood and lead to fading.
  4. Always use coasters and placemats when placing hot drinks and food onto your furniture.
  5. Never use chemicals such as bleach, or any abrasive materials to clean the furniture. Never use all-purpose cleaning sprays such as the kind used on kitchen tables and children’s furniture.
  6. Some items of furniture are very heavy and awkward to lift. We recommend that you have 2 people to lift these items such as tables, chests and robes. Do not drag the units as this could lead to damages.

Care and Maintenance

  1. When cleaning, always try a test patch first. If you are unsure as to whether the item you are cleaning is suitable for our instructions, take professional cleaning advice first.
  2. Painted furniture is easier to clean than solid wood furniture. Every week, dust or wipe clean with a dry clean cloth , or a microfibre cloth. Make sure you don’t leave any water spots on the surface as this could leave permanent marks when dried.
  3. Lacquered furniture is finished with a stain and then a lacquer topcoat is applied giving the furniture a glossy finish. The lacquer seals the wood, without stopping it breathing as it only covers the outer facing surface of the wood. It offers some protection from liquid, hot cups & plates but we would still strongly advise that mats and coasters are used and spills are cleaned off as quickly as possible with a dry cloth. Constant water contact will wear down the lacquer, causing dull areas. Lacquered furniture can be wiped down with a lightly damp cloth if it gets dirty but should be dried off immediately afterwards. It can be dusted with a soft cloth and polished using a little furniture polish.
  4. Waxed Furniture is finished in the same way as lacquered however a wax is applied as the topcoat instead of a lacquer. Wax does not offer the same protection as lacquer, the wood is not sealed and can take on elements from its surrounding area, such as smoke from an open fire. Damage will occur if placing hot cups or plates on the surface if mats and coasters are not used. Spills will absorb into the wood so spillages must be cleaned off as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of damage. You should dust your furniture regularly with a dry, soft cloth.
  5. NEVER wipe waxed furniture with a damp cloth as this may remove the wax coating.
  6. Waxed furniture needs to be waxed periodically depending on the wear and use it receives. A top on a chest of drawers will have regular use so would benefit from a monthly wax. A dining table with daily use would benefit from a wax twice a month, however, you would only need to wax the tops so it’s not as labour intensive as you may think. It is advised to wax the whole unit every six to twelve months. By waxing your furniture regularly, it hydrates and keeps the colour sharp. If you don’t wax your furniture it would fade and possibly start to split in places.

If you have any questions relating to the care of your item, please contact bideford@devonshireliving.co.uk.