Your furnishings and furniture should be cleaned and maintained regularly to keep them looking their best. To ensure a long service life, Ambiente is happy to share our recommendations for cleaning and maintaining various surfaces. The most commonly used materials and surfaces are listed in this overview. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.
IMPORTANT: Ambiente always refers to the detailed maintenance and cleaning recommendations provided by furniture manufacturers and similar entities.
Leather
Cleaning and Maintenance of Leather Materials
Clean the surface regularly with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a soft brush. For a more thorough cleaning, dampen a soft cloth with distilled or boiled water mixed with mild, high-quality natural soap flakes. Lather the soap flakes in warm water, using about ½ dl of soap flakes per 1 liter of water. Use only the lather once the water has reached room temperature, and apply it to the entire leather surface without soaking the leather. Wipe the surface thoroughly and polish it with a dry, soft cotton cloth.
Please note that suede should not be treated with a vacuum cleaner, soap flakes, cleaning agents, or leather conditioners.
Marble
Cleaning and Maintenance of Marble Surfaces
Wipe the surface with a slightly damp cloth. For more thorough cleaning, use a cloth wrung out in water mixed with soap flakes—about 2 to 3 tablespoons of soap flakes per 1 liter of water. Frequent use of soap flakes will cause the surface to become dull over time.
Never clean marble with harsh or acidic cleaning agents such as vinegar or citric acid. If such liquids are spilled, wipe them up immediately.
Marble should be treated with a suitable care product for absorbent materials to prevent grease and dirt from penetrating the surface. Use kerosene or water with soap flakes, work it into a lather, and apply the lather to the surface. Let it sit for about 5 minutes without allowing it to dry, and then wipe the surface clean with a clean, slightly damp cloth.
Composite
Cleaning and Maintenance of Composite Materials
Wring out a soft cloth in clean water and wipe down the surface. If the surface is very dirty, you can use water mixed with a mild detergent.
Varnished wood
Cleaning and Maintenance of Varnished Wood
Wipe the surface with a damp cloth and immediately dry it with a clean, dry cloth. For more thorough cleaning, use a cloth dampened with water containing sulfonate—about one teaspoon per liter of water. Always finish by wiping with a clean, dry cloth.
Varnished wood must cure for at least 4 weeks. Therefore, avoid cleaning it during the first 4 weeks, and also avoid exposing the surface to moisture and hot objects.
For stubborn stains, clean with care. Use a rubber eraser or stain remover to remove marks from shoes and similar items. Always follow the product’s instructions. White marks or stains caused by heat, moisture, or alcohol can be removed by placing a dish towel over the area and gently ironing it with a warm iron without steam. Alternatively, you can use warm air from a hair dryer.
Remove the stearin only after it has hardened, by gently scraping it off with a non-abrasive tool. Remove any white marks using the method described above.
Oil-treated wood
Cleaning and Maintenance of Oil-Treated Wood
Wipe the surface with a slightly damp cloth and immediately dry it with a dry cloth. For more thorough cleaning, use warm water with a few drops of liquid soap added. Finish by wiping with a clean, dry cloth.
Laminate
Cleaning and Maintenance of Laminate Materials
Spray the laminate cleaner directly onto the surface and let it sit for a few minutes. Then wipe it off with a damp cloth and finish by wiping with a clean, dry cloth.
If the surface is very dirty, wash it first in warm water to loosen the dirt before performing the cleaning steps described above.
Linoleum
Cleaning and Maintenance of Linoleum Materials
Wring out a cloth in clean water and wipe the surface. Immediately afterward, dry it with a clean, dry cloth.
For tougher stains, use water with soap flakes. The soap flakes form a protective layer that reduces the buildup of new dirt. Avoid using cleaning agents, mild soap, and liquids containing ammonium chloride, as these can damage the surface.
Vinyl
Cleaning and Maintenance of Vinyl Materials
Clean the surface with a vacuum cleaner fitted with a soft nozzle or with a soft brush. If necessary, the surface can be washed in warm water with a mild, natural cleaning agent, such as an all-purpose cleaner, which forms a light protective layer.
Vinyl floors should be cleaned once a week with a wrung-out cloth or mop and a mild cleaning solution. Avoid other cleaning products, as they can reduce slip resistance. Soft soap and soap flakes leave a greasy surface and should not be used.
If the vinyl floor becomes dull, it can be cleaned with a suitable cleaning product, followed by wiping with clean water. Finish by applying a conditioning cleaner containing wax or polymer.
Metal
Cleaning and Maintenance of Metal Materials
Wring out a cloth in water mixed with a neutral detergent and wipe down the surface. Remove any soap residue with a slightly damp cloth, and finish by wiping with a dry cloth to remove excess water.
Do not use abrasive cleaning products such as scouring powder or corrosive liquids, as they will damage the surface.