Care guides
Made to live. Made to last. Learn more about how to best enjoy quality materials and extend the life of your product.
Furniture
Solid wood and veneer
As a material that emanates natural beauty, life, durability and versatility, wood is a staple of our furniture collection. We lovingly create pieces of furniture that is meant to be used – and thus, must be cared for.
Preserving wood’s appearance and structural integrity over time requires proper care and maintenance. Solid wood is a natural hardwood, known for its strength and longevity, while veneer is a thin layer of oak applied to a core material, giving the look and feel of solid wood.
With regular cleaning, protection from environmental factors, and occasional polishing, both solid wood and veneer can remain beautiful and durable.
With solid wood, you must treat it according to the specific surface treatment, every 6–12 months, depending on its exposure and usage. This helps restore its luster and adds a protective layer.
Veneer does not typically need surface treatment, as it usually has a protective finish. We do, however, recommend regularly cleaning the surface with a hard-wrung cloth.
Soap-treated surfaces
Soap-treating wood is an effective method for maintaining a natural, stain-resistant finish that enhances the durability and beauty of wooden surfaces. This method is particularly popular with Scandinavian-style furniture, as it provides a matte, smooth finish while protecting the wood from minor stains and spills. However, it requires specific steps and maintenance to keep the wood in optimal condition.
For daily cleaning, wipe the surface with a hard-wrung cloth.
Additionally, soap-treated wood should be treated 1-2 times a year or when necessary. It is essential to use only natural/white soap shavings or a pre-mixed product. To obtain the best result, you should dissolve the soap shavings in boiled water, stir carefully and then let it cool down to room temperature. Use ¼ dl of soap shavings for 1 liter of water. Dip a clean, soft sponge into what is left of the soapy water and wipe all surfaces in the direction of the grain. Afterwards, wipe all surfaces with a soft, dry cloth. Let the wooden furniture dry for approximately 2 hours before usage.
During treatments with soapy water, the wood’s fibers may rise. In such cases, lightly sand with a sanding sponge in grit 240 - always in the direction of the grain.
Oil-treated surfaces
For daily cleaning of oil-treated surfaces, soak a cloth in warm water before wringing it. Wipe the wooden furniture down. For more extensive cleaning, add a ph-neutral soap to the water. Remember to always wipe the furniture with a dry cloth after cleaning.
Additionally, oil-treated wood should be surface treated 2-4 times a year or when necessary, depending on use and exposure to light, heat, and humidity. Furniture that experiences heavy wear or is placed in dry or sunny environments may require more frequent treatment.
These are signs that it’s time for a new oil treatment:
- The wood looks dry or begins to lose its luster.
- The surface feels rough or less protected.
- Water or other liquids easily soak into the surface instead of beading up.
Always follow the instructions that come with your oil treatment product. Remember to always clean the surface of the furniture before starting the treatment.
Smoked surfaces
For daily cleaning of smoked surfaces, soak a cloth or dish towel in warm water before wringing it. Wipe the wooden furniture down. For more extensive cleaning, add a ph-neutral soap to the water. Remember to always wipe the furniture with a dry cloth or dish towel after cleaning.
If your smoked furniture has damage/traces of wear that penetrate the smokey (dark) surface, these can be repaired by treating the entire surface with a smoked oil. Remember to always follow the instructions that come with your oil treatment product and to clean the surface of the furniture before starting the treatment.
Steel
Steel surfaces are highly durable and maintenance-free material, available in a limitless range of colours, textures, and finishes.
For cleaning lacquered and powder-coated steel surfaces, we recommend to exclusively use a soft, dry cloth or dish towel. For more extensive cleaning, we recommend dampening the cloth with lukewarm water before cleaning the surface. Make sure to dry the surface immediately afterwards. Please avoid abrasive cleaners or harsh detergents on lacquered or powder-coated surfaces, as they may cause permanent damage.
Leather
Leather is a beautiful material that elevates our chair collection with its elegance and comfortability. Our carefully selected range of upholstery leathers include corrected leather, semi-aniline leather, and aniline leather. Each call for specific maintenance needs to protect the beauty and longevity of the piece.
Corrected leather
With a special surface treatment which protects against wear and tear, making it both water and dirt repellent and stain resistant, corrected leather is the ultimate leather upholstery for durability. Corrected leather has a more uniform look to the surface as the hides have been sanded to remove most natural markings before a grain pigment has been added as a final treatment. Corrected leather is soft and comfortable, and easy to maintain, designed to last for generations.
When cleaning pigmented leather, please follow the instructions that come with your leather cleaning product and start by testing the product on an inconspicuous area. To protect the leather against stains and scratches, you may apply a recommended pigmented leather protection cream but please keep in mind that this may alter the colour of the leather.
Semi-aniline leather
Semi-aniline leather has been given a light, pigmented surface finish that gives the leather some protection against stains and the effects of light, while keeping its organic look and feel. The result is a gorgeous leather that is easier to maintain and more resistant to wear and tear than aniline leather.
The surface treatment disguises some of the natural markings but leaves the surface natural with visible and relatively open pores. This means that the leather’s ability to breathe is partially preserved. It will therefore adjust to match the temperature of the human body, offering a comfort factor that is utterly amazing.
Always make sure to vacuum-clean the leather before cleaning. After cleaning, please immediately wipe off the surface to avoid stains.
Aniline leather
Aniline leather is a soft, beautiful, and exclusive leather which has no or very little surface treatment, and thus retains the natural appearance and very soft touch.
When choosing an aniline leather, please expect a certain amount of natural marks in the form of healed wounds, insect bites, scars, beauty marks etc., which only adds character to its exclusive appearance, and makes each piece of furniture unique. Please note that aniline leather is susceptible to staining and will with exposure to light over time darken and patinate.
The untreated or only lightly treated surface of aniline leather makes the leather 100% breathable and provides the best seating comfort.
For daily cleaning, wipe with a soft, dry cloth and vacuum regularly. In case of light stains, please use a soft cloth, tightly wrung in water, which has been boiled and then cooled to room temperature.
If liquids are spilt upon aniline leather, immediately wipe the entire surface with a soft cloth tightly wrung in cold water.
Before cleaning, you should always vacuum-clean the leather with a soft mouthpiece at low suction.
Sheepskin
To preserve the original condition of your sheepskin upholstered furniture, please vacuum the sheepskin every week. Stains onto the sheepskin should be cleaned immediately with water.
For more extensive cleaning, apply a wool shampoo designed for furniture upholstery to the sheepskin.
Please avoid exposure to direct, strong sunlight as this may cause colour change in the wool.
For detailed care instructions and other information, please visit our production partner’s website: https://skandilock.com/care-instructions/.
Fabrics
Extend the life of textile upholstery by cleaning it regularly. Vacuum frequently, ideally once a week. Please use a suitable mouthpiece for upholstery fabrics.
Stains onto the fabric should be removed as soon as they occur by dabbing soapy water onto the stain with a cloth. Afterwards, please dab with water and let dry.
For detailed care and maintenance instruction on the specific fabric, please visit our production partner’s website.
Laminate
Laminate is constructed from multiple layers of paper compressed under pressure with melamine-based resins, making it highly resistant to wear and tear. Laminate is also dirt and water repellent, and easy to maintain.
For daily or weekly cleaning, use a clean, damp cloth or sponge along with a mild, pH-neutral detergent. Always wipe the surface dry after cleaning.
Please avoid direct sunlight as this may cause the laminate colour to fade over time.
Linoleum
Linoleum provides a softer surface that feels warmer and less rigid than laminate.
For regular cleaning, use a soft cloth dampened with a mild solution of lukewarm water and a universal cleaning detergent.
For more extensive cleaning, we recommend Forbo Monel at a ratio of 5 ml diluted in 10 liters of water. If the linoleum surface appears lackluster or worn, you can increase the concentration to 10 ml per 10 liters. Please avoid using alkaline or alcohol-based cleaning products, as they may damage the linoleum surface.
To protect the surface, please avoid placing sharp objects directly on linoleum, as this may lead to scratches. We recommended using trivets or coasters under flowerpots, vases, cups, and similar items placed upon linoleum surfaces.
For detailed care and maintenance instruction, please visit our distribution partner’s website.
Accessories
Hand cast faience
Designs in hand cast faience should be washed by hand and dried with a soft dish towel.
Never use sharp objects to remove any remaining wax from chandeliers made in faience. We recommend not allowing the candles to burn all the way down to the bottom of the candle holder, as this may discolour or damage the product.
Avoid exposing designs in hand cast faience for sudden temperature changes as thematic shock can cause small cracks in the material. Planters in hand cast faience should therefore only be used for decoration purposes indoors.
Hand turned faience
Designs in hand turned faience should be cleaned of dust with a wrung cloth.
Vases in hand turned faience with a glazed interior can be washed by hand with dish soap. Wipe the product dry with a soft dish towel.
Hand cast stoneware
Designs in hand cast stoneware are dishwasher safe. Stains from coffee, tea, lipstick, etc. must be cleaned rather promptly, however, to prevent permanent stains on the glaze.
To remove stubborn stains, we recommend washing the product with water before applying a paste of equal parts baking soda, water, white vinegar and salt with a soft cloth. Scrub until the stains are removed and leave the product to soak for up to half an hour. Clean the product with lukewarm water and perhaps a finishing wash in the dishwasher.
We recommend refraining from storing foods in designs of hand cast stoneware for several days as these may deposit colour onto the glaze.
Please note that traces of use from cutlery can occur on plates in hand cast stoneware.
Hand cast stoneware
Designs in hand cast stoneware are dishwasher safe. Stains from coffee, tea, lipstick, etc. must be cleaned rather promptly, however, to prevent permanent stains on the glaze.
To remove stubborn stains, we recommend washing the product with water before applying a paste of equal parts baking soda, water, white vinegar and salt with a soft cloth. Scrub until the stains are removed and leave the product to soak for up to half an hour. Clean the product with lukewarm water and perhaps a finishing wash in the dishwasher.
We recommend refraining from storing foods in designs of hand cast stoneware for several days as these may deposit colour onto the glaze.
Please note that traces of use from cutlery can occur on plates in hand cast stoneware.
Hand cast ceramic
Designs in hand cast ceramic should be washed by hand with soap and dried with a soft dish towel. Avoid washing designs in hand cast ceramic in the dish washer.
Mouth blown glass
Designs in faience should be washed by hand and dried with a soft dish towel. Designs with reused glass embedded in its surface should be patted dry with a clean dish towel. Avoid rubbing the surface with neither the dish towel or your hands as sharp edges from the glass pieces may occur.
Never use sharp objects to remove any stains or remaining wax from vases and chandeliers made in mouth blown glass. Wash the product by hand in dish soap and remove the wax with a soft brush or sponge. Never pour boiling water on designs in mouth blown glass.
We recommend not allowing the candles to burn all the way down to the bottom of the candle holder, as this may discolour or damage the product. Please use real candles and not paraffin or similar as these may produce more soot and melt too quickly inside the glass. When using descaling agents, we recommend using mild acids such as lemon or diluted vinegar.
FSC-certified wood
Designs in FSC-certified wood should be cleaned with a wrung cloth and dried with a dish towel. Avoid leaving your product soaked in water over a longer period of time, including the dish washer.
We recommend oiling designs in FSC-certified wood regularly, preferably once a month, in order to maintain the natural beauty of the wood. Please use food-safe oils such as grape seed oil or walnut oil. Rub the product in oil and leave it for a minimum of a few hours, preferably overnight. Wipe off excess oil. Cutting boards in FSC-certified wood should be left to dry until the following day before using it once more. Please note that wood fibers in cutting boards may rise after usage. This can be remedied by sanding the cutting board with sandpaper grain 240 or finer. Then, wipe the board clean, let dry, and repeat the oiling process.
Wood is living material. Designs in FSC-certified wood with a handle can therefore be tightened with a standard hex key.