How to care for metal finishes and marble
Metallic finishes and marble are popular in the design world since they can add an enhanced sense of glamour and style to any interior space. Careful cleaning and maintenance ensures that you will enjoy your furniture for years to come.
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Cleaning & Maintenance
Discover how to clean and maintain items comprising marble, silver plating, polished stainless steel and metallic finishes.
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Polished Stainless Steel And Metallic Finishes
Dust off polished stainless steel and metal finishes regularly with a feather duster or soft clean cloth. Remove stubborn stains with tepid water or a mild household cleaner. Never use hot water, caustic chemicals or adhesive removers. Avoid paper towels, squeegees, and the like.
Clean silver-plated items with a soft sponge with lukewarm water. Dip a clean cloth into silver polish and apply it in a thin film to the object. Gently rub the polish into the silver plating with a polishing cloth made for silver. Wash the item if it is to be used for serving food. Remove any excess silver polish with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild washing up liquid.
Clean polished stainless steel and metallic finishes with diluted cleaner. Apply a small amount directly to a clean cloth and gently wipe the surface. If the finish is not altered or transferred to the cloth, continue with cleaning the rest of the product. Remove any cleaner residue with a clean cloth dampened with tepid water, then dry with a clean cloth. Do not let air dry.
Regularly polish metallic finished parts with products that are made specifically for the care of polished metals, or with vinegar. For light polishing, dilute vinegar with water (1/2 cup of vinegar for every quart of water). Moisten a soft cloth in the diluted vinegar and polish the item. Use undiluted vinegar on items with heavy staining.
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Marble
Since marble is easily stained, etched, and dulled, it’s important to know how to take care of it well. Dust the surface once or twice a week with a soft cloth. Marble stains very quickly, so clean up orange juice, coffee, wine, and other drinks (or food) with strong pigments immediately and rinse with a clean, damp cloth. Don't leave any water on marble surfaces, as this could stain.
Clean as gentle as possible, never use abrasive cleaners or dusting sprays. Wash the marble periodically with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water, and, if necessary, a bit of mild dishwashing liquid. Gently run the cloth over the surface, making a circular motion. Remove the soap with another damp cloth and wipe the marble dry with a chamois.
To maintain the stone's luster, regularly apply marble polish. Be sure to use a polish that it is specifically intended for marble, since certain chemicals can harm marble.
