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Care instructions

Material and fabric

Leather

Dakota

Dakota is our finest aniline leather. Once it has been dyed, it is heat-treated and waxed so that it maintains its soft feel.

Elmorustical

Elmorustical is one of our finest leathers. This untreated aniline leather is not only very comfortable but displays all the natural properties of a hide such as scars, scuffs and insect bites.

Elmosoft

Elmosoft is a soft and pliable semi-aniline leather. It is robust, elegant and very comfortable and perfect for public spaces as well as the home environment. The marks from insect bites and scars from healed sores add extra character.

Classic Soft

Classic Soft is a corrected-grain, pigmented leather which means that the hide has been sanded and buffed and then embossed with an artificial grain to give a more resilient and uniform finish. The appearance tends not to change much over time but corrected-grain leather still needs to be cared for to ensure long life. Clean the leather two to four times a year with a special leather cleaning product, then rub in a protective cream for a soft, dirt-repellent surface.

Instructions for care 

Clean the leather two to four times a year with a special leather cleaning product, then impregnate with a protective cream to give a smooth and dirt-repellent surface.

For waxed leather, use special Pull Up Cream. It removes any scratches and other marks and gives the leather a deep sheen. Remember to clean the leather first.

Fabric textiles

Our textiles come from some of the world’s most famous manufacturing houses. Most of the textiles will withstand normal washing but because the covers contain other elements such as seams, zippers, and fiber padding we recommend that you dry clean them instead. You should also try to swap cushions around and turn them regularly if you can.

Vacuum clean regularly using the cleaner’s special textile attachment but don’t vacuum clean down and feather-filled cushions as this might disturb the stuffing. Also try to avoid direct sunlight. While all the textiles are treated to maintain their colour, any material will fade after prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Sheepskin

DUX uses high quality sheepskins and they require special care. Dust and dirt particles often gather at the root of the fleece and over time this turns into an abrasive mixture that will rub away the wool material. Sheepskin furniture needs to be vacuum-cleaned regularly. Any lose materials can be removed with a sticky-tape roller (lint brush). Remove any marks at once with cold water and then clean with a sponge, warm water and special wool shampoo.

Wood surfaces

Wood treated with wax

Maintenance and care instructions for with surfaces treated Osmo Hardwax Oil. Surfaces exposed to heavy wear and tear may need to be cleaned and retreated after a certain period of time. We recommend reviewing the surfaces within the first year and determining if and where there is a need, this should be done 6-8 months after completion of treatment or earlier depending on wear. If the majority of a surface is heavily worn to the point where refreshing with Osmo Maintenance Wax is not sufficient, maintenance or periodic maintenance is required.

Inter table collection

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Everyday maintenance and removal of common stains

As with any other material for interior design, a FENIX® surface should be cleaned regularly. It does not require any special maintenance, just a damp cloth with warm water or a mild detergent. Almost all regular household cleaning products  or disinfectants can be safely used. For the most common stains, you can simply clean the surface with warm water using a non-abrasive cloth. Tougher stains can be removed with non-abrasive household cleaners or solvents. For older, dried  or caked-on stains, use a magic sponge or soft cloth to remove them. After using any solvents, we recommend rinsing the surface with warm water and a mild detergent. Always rinse thoroughly to remove the detergent with clean water, preferably warm.

Stubborn stains and minor scratches

FENIX surfaces have a unique non-porous external layer, allowing you to keep it neat with simple, everyday care and cleaning methods. In case of stubborn stains, we recommend the use of a specific cleaning agent (as per the table reported on next page) to remove any trace of the stain. In case of micro-scratches, please refer to the MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS for the surfaces as illustrated below.

Rinse after cleaning and maintenance

After cleaning or after using the magic sponge, rinse thoroughly with clean water, preferably warm, to remove any detergent, solvent or any other cleaning agent residual.

Category Type of Stain Age
    Light Moderate and Recent Stubborn
Everyday Dirt Dust, dirt in general, mixed dust and grease 1 2 2
  Fingerprints, nicotine stains, rubber marks 3 4* 4*
  Traces and marks of limescale, rust 2 5 5
  Black smoke 2 2 2
Foods & Drinks Syrup, fruit or vegetable juice 1 or 2 2 2
  Sugar syrup, jam, caramel 1 or 2 2 2
  Spirits, milk, tea, coffee, wine, beer 1 or 2 2 2
  Animal and vegetable fats and oils 3 4* 4*
  Sauces, eggs 3 4* 4*
  Gelatin, organic residues, gum arabic 2 2 2
Cleaners & Polishes Detergents, soap 1 or 2 2 2
  Furniture and floor polish 3 3 4**
  Shoe polish 3 3 4**
Paints & Inks Pencil marks and chalk 1 2 2
  Pen ink and markers, tar 4** 4*** 4***
  Synthetic oil paint 9+10 10 10
  Watercolour paint, adhesives soluble in water or aqueous dispersion 2 2 2
  Graffiti, paint spray, paint, etc. 9+12 12 12
Cosmetics Lipstick 3 3 4**
  Hairspray, foundation, face powder 4** 4*** 4***
  Traces and marks of limescale, rust 2 5 5
  Nail polish 9+4** 4** 4**
Solvents Halos from use of solvents 4*** 4*** 4***
  Solvent inks for print 4*** 4*** 4***
Wax Candle wax, paraffin wax, plaster-based waxes 3 11 11
Silicones, Resins & Glues Silicone mastics, silicone-based products 1 2 2
  Acrylic adhesives or vegetable gum residues 12 12 12
  Two-component paints, glues and adhesives 4** 4** 7
  Synthetic resins 4** 4** 7
  Neoprene glue 9+4* 4* 4*
Organic Fluids Body fluids and hospital dirt (cells, dermis, germs, bacteria, blood, urine) 8 8 8

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS - KEY

  1. Use a soft cloth or paper towel, either dry or dampened with water.
  2. Use warm water (up to 35-40°C) and a kitchen degreaser (or a limescale remover in case of limescale), leaving it to work until the dirt starts to loosen.
  3. Initially use a dry soft cloth or paper towel. Then use warm water (up to 35-40°C) and a kitchen degreaser, leaving it to work until the dirt starts to loosen.
  4. Use a dedicated solvent *, then use warm water (up to 35-40°C) and a kitchen degreaser, leaving it to work until the dirt starts to loosen.
    Use a dedicated solvent **, then use warm water (up to 35-40°C) and a kitchen degreaser, leaving it to work until the dirt starts to loosen.
    Use a dedicated solvent ***, then use warm water (up to 35-40°C) and a kitchen degreaser, leaving it to work until the dirt starts to loosen.
  5. Use detergents containing acetic acid or citric acid at up to 10% concentration. Rinse with plenty of warm water. If you use descaling agents for domestic use, rinse immediately.
  6. Immediately wipe away any residue with water or suitable solvents before the stain sets. Check the product instructions or contact the manufacturer for more details. For silicone, use suitable solvents.
  7. After it hardens, try removing it by rubbing with dry towels and, using wooden or soft plastic (e.g. Nylon) spatulas to scrape it off without causing abrasions or scratches.
  8. After using warm water (up to 35-40°C) with soap or a mild household detergent, leaving it to work until the dirt starts to loosen, wash with disinfectant detergents or simple disinfectants that are on the market or prescribed by health practices. Follow the instructions. Steam can also be used for this type of dirt.
  9. Immediately use a dry soft cloth or paper towel.
  10. Use trichloroethylene or nitro solvent, then use warm water (up to 35-40°C) and a kitchen degreaser, leaving it to work until the dirt starts to loosen.
  11. After it hardens, try removing it with dry towels and with a physical approach, using wooden or soft plastic (e.g. Nylon) spatulas to scrape it off without causing abrasions or scratches. In the case of wax, place a paper towel over the affected area, heat with an iron, then peel away until completely removed.
  12. Use alcohol on metal surfaces. For other surfaces, use acetone or, if the stain is especially stubborn, commercial solvents specifically used for removing graffiti ****. Then use warm water (up to 35-40°C) and a kitchen degreaser, leaving it to work until the dirt starts to loosen.

SOLVENT REFERENCES

* Gasoline, turpentine, white spirit, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, trichloroethane especially for neoprene glues, alcohol.

** Acetone or nail polish remover, gasoline, turpentine, white spirit, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, trichloroethane especially for neoprene glues, alcohol.

*** Alcohol.

**** The offending items can be easily removed if they are soluble in water; otherwise use organic solvent or special graffiti cleaner.

DISCLAIMER

This document gives general recommendations on how to enhance qualitative cleaning and maintenance of the products. This document serves as a general guide to good practice and constitutes no form of warranty or representation as to fitness for purpose in respect of the products and processes described in it. Any information or products contained within this document must be verified and tested for suitability by the user for his or her particular purpose or specific application. Consideration needs to be given to local or specific circumstances. The content of this document reflects our knowledge and experience at the time of publication. The newest version of the document replaces all previous versions. We advise that the newest version may contain technical changes that must be taken into account when using the products. The latest version of the document may be consulted on our website. Customers should always check whether an updated version of the document is available. Any warranty on the products may be voided if the (contents of the) latest version of this document, which may be updated from time to time, is not (properly) followed. We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this document, but we cannot be held liable for any oversights, inaccuracies or typographical errors.