TIPS FOR MAINTAINING VERO COLLECTION
To maintain the durability of the special finish of the furniture by Artitalia Group, designed for an unlimited period, a few simple rules must be follow. First, it is important to apply two or three times a year a thin layer of wax and polish with a cloth, so as to renew the finish and protect brightness.
In addition, the furniture cleaning must be carried out with products specifically design for wood surfaces: water, alcohol, acetone or the like are to be avoided, since they are elements and products that irreparably ruin the coating. As known, the natural structure of the wood may be subject to slight movements in the succession of the seasons, depending on whether environments are damp or more dry. These movements, far from being imperfections, are a guarantee that solid wood has been used.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
WOOD
Wood is a natural product. Sun bleaching will occur when wood furniture is exposed to sunlight. This will cause darker finishes to lighten and sometimes cause lighter finishes to darken. For this reason, try to avoid placing furniture in direct sunlight and rearrange accessories from time to time to prevent spot bleaching. Some bleaching will occur under both incandescent and fluorescent lighting. Arrange your furniture so that it does not sit near heat registers, air-conditioning units, or radiators. It is important to keep the home or office in which your furniture is placed properly humidified. Lack of humidity, usually in the winter months or in dry climates, can cause certain veneers to crack or check and joints to work.
Attention: Do not lay heavy, sharp-edged, wet, boiling, abrasive objects on the furniture or other items that could trigger chemical reactions and stain or mark the surfaces. If acidic beverages, such as fruit juices or alcohol, spill, dry immediately with an absorbent cloth to avoid ruining the precious surface. To remove stains, never rub the surface while exerting pressure. Even tobacco smoke, environmental effects, or kitchen vapors may mark the furniture. Regular maintenance of furniture is important to enjoy its beauty extensively. The optimal environmental humidity cannot be less than 60%, and the temperature should not exceed 80 degrees. Some plastic rests on computers, calculators, telephones, and other rubber or plastic products, such as place mats, vinyl notebook binders, etc., contain a plasticizing agent that may discolor or soften the lacquer finish on fine furniture. Always use felt pads under these articles to prevent discoloration or softening of the lacquer. Articles such as glasses, bookends, flowerpots, and hot cups and dishes should have cloth or felt-type pads on them. Beware of some felt pads that have a pre-glued side, as some of these adhesives contain chemicals that can damage the lacquer. Always remember to lift objects rather than sliding them across the finished surface. Chemical detergents or those with acidic contents, liquids, or some materials (tablecloths, fabric softeners, metals) can damage/discolor the wood surface and must be removed immediately. Do not expose the surface to liquid or steam stagnation.
ORDINARY MAINTENANCE
VARNISHED SURFACES
The cleaning can be carried out simply with a soft, clean cloth, thoroughly rubbing the surface to be cleaned with the pressure strictly necessary to obtain the removal of dust and dirt. Clean any stubborn stains using only a soft cloth, warm water, and mild detergent. Not all products designed to remove dust are also ideal for natural wood furniture. For this reason, according to our experience, we do not recommend the use of microfiber cloths for furniture surfaces and coatings such as leather and fabrics of all kinds.
OileD SURFACES
(Vero and Leonardo collections) All the furniture from the collection Vero and Leonardo are treated exclusively with natural oil. To clean the surfaces, use a soft cloth dampened with warm water and mild detergent. We recommend immediately remove any liquid (e.g. water) accidentally split on top of tables or furniture; stagnation may cause stains that are difficult to remove.
LEATHER
The leather we use is of animal origin and is tanned; therefore, the leather we employ is also a natural product, with its natural features such as the evident neck folds, scars, cracks, scratches, and natural dilation. These irregularities are not to be considered defects that affect its beauty but instead prove its authenticity and value. The strong heat radiated by sunlight, spotlights, or heating can dry the skin and make it brittle. Constant maintenance can counter these effects and enable you to enjoy the selected product extensively. The leather should be treated with care. In addition to regular vacuuming and wiping gently with a damp cloth, it is advisable to apply one or two times a year a special product for the treatment of leather and use it to clean the bodywork. Spots must not be removed with stain removers (turpentine, gasoline) or rubbing but must be patted gently with an absorbent cloth. Grease spots can penetrate the material over time. During the first months, the seating surfaces become a little'softer and more elastic. With use, the foams used for the padding lose their initial rigidity and become more malleable. The larger the upholstered surfaces, the more voluminous will be the waves and depressions that will appear. To avoid these problems, change the place you sit.
FABRIC
All upholstery fabrics should be dusted on regular basis with a vacuum cleaner. Down-filled cushions should be brushed rather than vacuumed. If possible, cushions should be reversed frequently. When complete overall cleaning is required, it is recommended to rely only on a professional cleaner.
GLASS
When cleaning the glass, make sure that the cleaning agents used are not in contact with the painted surface of the wood. In humid conditions, optical effects might occasionally occur temporarily on the glass surface, which will disappear once the surface is dry.
Warning: The glass is not scratch-proof!
Eliminate stains or residue glue with appropriate solvents (acetone) and rinse with clean water.
CAUTION: The above-mentioned solvents may only be used on non-lacquered.
MARBLE Artitalia Group marble is porous and will stain if left unprotected. Marble can be cleaned with a mild detergent and warm water, rinsed with clean water, and wiped with a clean, soft cloth to assure no residue remains. If this is unsuccessful, repeat with white vinegar. Regularly polish your marble with a good, non-yellowing paste wax. Avoid using abrasive cleaners. Food and liquid spills should be wiped up immediately with a damp, soft cloth. Use coasters to protect your marble against rings caused by liquid spills.
METAL Some stands and details of the Vero and Leonardo collections are made with natural raw iron with exposed welds. Th e manufacturing process requires the base to be washed with specific neutral detergents and subsequently treated with oil, without any covering paint. Any marks, minor scratches, stains, oxidation are to be considered as typical elements of a natural iron product forged in the blast furnace.
SUPPLEMENTARY MAINTENANCE
Your furniture has a protective lacquer finish that most likely will not require any care other than dusting. However, on highly used surfaces, we recommend applying a quality paste wax, such as Finishing Wax, which should be used on a regular basis to provide additional protection from scratches and spills. Finishing Wax is available at most home improvement stores. How oft en you apply the wax depends on how much wear the furniture receives. New furniture should be waxed aft er receipt. A desk or tabletop might be waxed at three-month intervals, and an occasional table at six-month intervals. Th e sides and fronts of a desk, table, or chest may not need paste waxing. Before applying the wax, your furniture should always be clean. Remember to follow the manufacturer's directions when using a cleaner of this type. Dry the piece thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. Apply a thin film of wax to the surface, working a small area at a time. Always rub in the same direction as the wood grain, then buff with a soft , dry cloth. Between waxing, your wood furniture requires dusting. For a surface that has been paste-waxed, use a moist, lint-free cloth and dry immediately with another soft cloth. A pre-treated dusting cloth that will attract dust without scratching the finish can also be used. When dusting a surface that has not been paste-waxed, we suggest using a cleaning polish that does not contain silicone. Silicone can damage the lacquers and make future refinishing very difficult. Lemon oil and other oil-based polishes should also be avoided because they attract dust and grit and cause a hazy film on the finish. Avoid using silicone waxes, lemon oil, or other oily polishes.
TV EQUIPMENT AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
Electrical and electronic components can overheat easily. It is therefore necessary to pay close attention to proper airflow, to avoid the damage afterwards. In addition, it is recommended to use only replacement lamps or equipment of the same power (damage to the transformer). Even for televisions or other electronic equipment integrated in shelving or closed inside a cabinet it is important to avoid the accumulation of heat. In this regard, also follow also the manufacturer’s specifications. The assembly of electronic components must be performed only by a skilled technician.
ASSEMBLING INSTRUCTIONS
ASSEMBLING
Installation should be carried out by authorized expert personnel. For all devices and electrical/electronic components, follow the operating instructions and the manufacturer’s installation guide. Each “disassembled piece of furniture” is accompanied by its assembly instructions. These instructions should be read carefully before use, and specifications contained in them should be followed attentively. If in doubt, consult an expert. Any damage due to “DIY” installation are not covered by the guarantee. DIMENSIONS, INSTALLATION AND SET-UP In principle, the furniture must be installed upright, not too close to light sources and not exposed on one side only to heat sources. Th is way, you will avoid damage or inconvenience such as excessive drying, warping, bleaching, cracks, creaks, jams, scoring or overturning. It is important to provide good air circulation behind the furniture.
WALL FIXING
In furniture in which the opening parts (doors, drawers) cause tilting, a further safety device must be applied to the manufacturer’s care. Th e technician should check the suitability of the substrate and make sure that the means used for fixing are able to withstand the forces generated.
HARDWARE
The furniture is equipped with high quality fittings. However, maintenance remains a necessary condition to keep it fully functional. Maintenance work must be carried out at regular intervals and in the presence of revision to original installation conditions.
PACKING AND TRANSPORT
The products are carefully packed with more layers of air bubbles, with cardboard corners and with a very resistant cardboard box. Heavier pieces are placed on pallets. Th e transport of the products must be performed by forwarders specialized in furniture handling. Th e loading and unloading of the products must be performed by expert personnel taking into account that some non-detachable parts can be very heavy. Carefully follow the directions on the packaging such as “Fragile Glass”, “do not flip”, “High”, “it contains hardware.” Upon receipt of the goods immediately check the number of packages and packaging. Any defects in the packaging must be reported immediately with photographic evidence. Carefully check the packaging before its disposal, to avoid throwing any hardware and / or installation instructions.
