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Product Care Tips

Find your wood or material type in the list below to learn how to take care of your furniture.

Acacia Wood is known commonly with the name of Babul & Kikar. It is a very durable and dense hardwood which has a rich and colourful grain. Acacia is a fast-growing hardwood, sourced from sustainable, FSC certified plantations. Being a hardwood, the furniture can deal with the stresses and strains of everyday use and still look incredible!

CARE: Use a clean, lint-free, absorbent cloth for general dusting. Avoid using water on the surfaces to clean. Use furniture polish or a furniture oil such as lemon oil to clean. Use coasters or mats to prevent marking caused by hot mugs or plates. Minimize contact with heat from direct sunlight or radiators to reduce the possibility of the wood shrinking or drying out and cracking.

A hardwood, our 100% plantation grown mango wood has a dynamic grain pattern that has within it diverse colours and shades. This dense and colourful wood creates furniture that exhibits grain variations unlike any other, form a multitude of browns to shades of yellow. By cutting form various directions the furniture appears to have many different grain textures, looking at times like mahogany, oak, or teak.

CARE: Use a clean, lint-free, absorbent cloth for general dusting. Avoid using water or any products containing alcohol on the surfaces to clean. Use furniture polish or a furniture oil such as lemon oil to clean. Use coasters or mats to prevent marking caused by hot mugs or plates. Minimize contact with heat from direct sunlight, fireplaces and/or radiators to reduce the possibility of the wood shrinking or drying out and cracking. The use of a humidifier is beneficial when mango wood furniture is used in very dry conditions. Should your mango wood become scratched or if an area on the furniture appears sun bleached, use a Minwax touch up marker or pen in the correct stain colour which is available specifically for this purpose.

MDF is an acronym for medium density fiberboard which is also known as particleboard. MDF is used throughout the furniture and construction industry as an affordable alternative to everything from countertops, cupboards, furniture and wall boards. MDF is a manmade material made from glue and sawdust. The product has a weight and strength similar to real wood. MDF is usually glued as the method of joinery. Screws and nails do not grip the material well and cannot be replaced, so care must be taken when moving the finished products. MDF furniture can absorb moisture due to the composition of the product. Avoid using MDF furniture in moist or damp rooms to prevent warping. MDF furniture should be used and moved with more care than solid wood when used as a decorating piece.

CARE: To clean MDF furniture wipe with a damp cloth. Avoid excessive moisture to prevent warping of any MDF laminate veneer. Avoid damage to the products as there is no sanding or repair to missing particleboard. MDF cannot be refinished like real wood, so use care in placing objects on the surface which could mark or burn the finish.

Natural teak is new wood harvested from plantations. Teak is typically used outside on decks, patios and ships. The finishing process for natural outdoor teak is typically an oil stain applied before being sold. The silver-grey finish of natural weathered teak is the result of natural bleaching from the weather elements. Minor imperfections and discolouring in the finished products are perfectly normal with furniture constructed with environmentally responsible raw materials. Outside teak furniture pieces are often designed to fold or stack in much less space at the end of the season. Special weather-resistant outdoor cushions for outdoor teak furniture are sold separately at Wicker Emporium stores.

CARE: Outdoor teak will attain a beautiful silver patina when left to weather naturally. To preserve the golden colour of teak it is recommended that each piece be treated with high quality teak restoration oil two times a year. Teak oil helps to resist normal weathering and mildew growth. Indoor teak furniture pieces which are finished with shellacs and waxes are not meant to be used outside. Teak should be cleaned using products specifically designed for teak wood which can be purchased at selected hardware and patio furniture stores.

Rattan, sometimes referred to as cane, is a strong solid wood, not be confused with bamboo, which looks similar, but is a hollow reed from the grass family. Rattan can be cut into fine strips which can then be woven into cane seating or steamed and bent for furniture frames. Hundreds of species of rattan grow in Southeast Asia, China and Indonesia. Rattan grows like a vine in lengths of up to 500 feet, and the pithy, or solid interior is used for furniture construction. The bark is cut into strips and used for seats and wickerwork. Rattan can vary in diameter from ¼” which is referred to as rattan core, up to 3” which is referred to as solid rattan. The finish or appearance may be natural, bleached, stained or a painted finish.

CARE: Rattan can be cleaned with a mild soap and water if soiled. When mold is evident caused by extreme dampness, sponge the item using a gallon of warm soapy water with ¼ cup of bleach added. Rattan can be stained any colour when still in the natural bleached state, or can be painted if desired using a brush or spray paint. Painted rattan usually requires a freshening up yearly. Apply a fresh coat of latex spray paint in the finish desired as needed. Rattan strips are used to wrap furniture legs to conceal any nails used in the construction. Re-wrap loose or missing rattan peel bindings using a roll of rattan peel which is sold in most craft shops. Rattan is woven while wet to ensure that the fiber is flexible. Soak the flat reed before using. Rattan peel decorative bindings are sometimes replaced with flat shoelace leather in the appropriate colour for durability. Avoid leaving rattan exposed to the weather year long to maintain the existing or original finish and to prevent the nails used in construction from weathering.

Kubu grey rattan is a type of rattan which has a special finish to repel moisture and which also gives this collection of rattan a characteristic antique grey patina. The furniture pieces have exceptionally strong framing under seating and table tops. Kubu grey rattan is designed to be enjoyed inside or on covered decks and verandas where the furniture is protected from the elements. Rattan is a strong solid wood and should not be confused with bamboo, which looks similar.

CARE: Rattan can be cleaned with a mild soap and water if soiled. When mould is evident, sponge the item using a gallon of warm soapy water with ¾ cup of bleach added. Rattan can be stained any colour when still in the natural bleached state, or painted if desired using a brush or spray paint. Painted rattan usually requires a freshening up yearly. Apply a fresh coat of latex spray paint as needed. Rattan strips are used to wrap furniture legs to conceal any nails used in the construction. Re-wrap loose or missing rattan peel bindings using a roll of rattan peel which is sold in most craft shops. Rattan is woven while wet to ensure that the fibre is flexible. Soak the flat reed before using. Rattan peel decorative bindings are sometimes replaced with flat shoelace leather in the appropriate colour for the maximum durability. Avoid leaving rattan exposed to the weather year long to maintain the existing or original finish and to prevent the nails used in construction from rusting.

Our reclaimed pine furniture is constructed out of unwanted material that is recycled and re-purposed for furnishings. As well as being a very sustainable and eco-friendly practice, the wood itself is imbibed with a rustic warmth and texture not found in furniture made with wood collected from tree logs. The unique imperfections showcase the previous life of the wood and are a desired esthetic of reclaimed wood furnishings. Unlike many smoother finishes, you will find that the superficial blemishes, dents, and scratches that come with regular use will hide easily or perhaps even enhance the look of your reclaimed pine. Each piece is polished by hand with high quality environmentally friendly oils to create the unique aged patina.

CARE: Pine is an indoor furniture wood which is easily cared for. Wipe the wood with the direction of the grain with a furniture oil or polish to clean. Avoid excessively damp environments which may promote warping of the wood. Pine can be left natural to acquire a rich dark golden patina over time to expose the natural grain and knots in the wood. Pine can be sealed and finished with varnish, paint, wax, or oils as preferred.

Bonded leather, or reconstituted leather, is an artificial material composed of 80% to 100% leather fibers. These fibers are often waste scraps from leather tanneries or leather workshops. These fibers are bonded together with latex binders and constructed into a fibrous mat to create the look and feel of genuine leather but at a fraction of the cost. Bonded leather is a sustainable regenerated leather product. The leather grain or texture is stamped onto the surface to replicate the grain and texture of real leather hides.

CARE: To clean bonded leather wipe with a damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals, waxes or soaps which could remove the surface colour or dry the product.

The most common materials used in metal furniture are iron and aluminum. Iron is a chemical element that is naturally malleable and can rust easily if not sealed and protected. Modern pieces will sometimes have a rust-resistant finish or a coating that protects against chipping, scratching and corrosion. Always check first before using iron furniture outside. Metal furniture and accessories are constructed in one of three main ways: extrusion, casting or forging. Extrusion forces metal through long pipes and forms long narrow tubes of metal, which are often hollow. Casting metal involves a form or cast, shaped like the finished product. The finished pieces are usually solid. Forging is a process in which the metal is heated and hammered into a shape where furniture known as wrought iron is made. This process uses pipes and various pieces of metal and joins them together by welding, bolting, or both.

CARE: Clean iron, aluminum or steel when necessary with a mild dish detergent and warm water. Iron furniture requires more maintenance than other metal furniture. Immediately touch up any scratches or rust by gently sanding with a fine steel wool and then applying a rust inhibitor. Apply several thin coats of metal paint in a clear finish or colour, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly to prevent rust or corrosion to iron furniture.