Care Guide & Maintenance
Find all material descriptions, maintenance and care guides for the Kristina Dam Studios assortment of accessories and furniture for the modern living interior.
Take good care of your new design piece from Kristina Dam Studio. In this section you’ll find all material descriptions, maintenance and care guides for the Kristina Dam Studios assortment of accessories and furniture for the modern living interior. Providing the proper care and maintenance will aid in preserving both appearance and functionality of your new designer product helping to ensure that it will last for years to come. Each material used in production requires different types of care and maintenance. Please let us help you out to make sure that you know how to care the best for your new design piece from Kristina Dam Studio.
Firstly:
- Please always follow any care instruction included with your product.
- Always use mild cleaning agents or detergents and always test the efficiency of the detergent on a non-visible place on your product before applying.
- Avoid direct sunlight when possible – direct sunlight will over time fade the colours of any material.
- Avoid placing your product close to heat sources.
- Please note that products made from natural materials will have unique colour and surface variations and vary in grain pattern.
- Protect your products surfaces against humidity and strongly coloured items.
- All our products are meant for indoor use only. If products are to be used outdoor this is explicitly shown in the care instruction following the product.
Wood
We use only solid oak wood and walnut in our production. We only use sustainable wood. Please be aware that wood is a material changing imperceptibly over time. All wood reacts to sunlight, humidity, temperature and can vary slightly in grain pattern and coloration. Furthermore the woods structure and colour will evolve over time. Wood is a natural material and no two pieces of wood are the same and therefore no two identical pieces of wooden furniture will look exactly the same. The biggest changes occur in the beginning of a piece of furniture’s lifecircle. Solid wood is particularly affected by changes in humidity. During the summer, wood expands and during the winter, wood contracts. This natural motion of the wood can cause small splits and cracks between the veins of the wood to appear. However, these do not damage the product and can often be successfully treated with a wood oil treatment. It is important to ensure that your piece of wooden furniture or accessory is continuously cared for in order to maximise their lifespan. Using a neutral wood oil will help the wood to retain its original colour, as well as have a water-repelling effect and protect the wood from drying out. Apply oil with a soft sponge or soft, lint-free cloth in the direction of the wood grain Daily cleaning (wiping the surface after a meal, for example) slowly removes oil from the wood, which is why it is recommended that you treat the wood 4–6 times a year, or as needed. The wood you treat is likely to get a slightly darker colortone after applying oil. Please test on a small part of the product before applying oil to the entire item. If in doubt, please consult a professional for advice on how to treat the wood. Please always refer to the maintenance guide that follows your wooden product.
Lacquered Oak Wood
We use black lacquer to colour a range of our oak wood. Besides changing the colour the lacquer used helps the furniture to withstand dirt and grease to some degree. When cleaning wooden products that with black lacquer use only a damp cloth and dry immediately with a soft cloth to prevent water marks and stains. Like natural solid oak wood, lacquered oak wood reacts to sunlight, humidity, temperature, as described above. We do not recommending that you re-lacquer your product because it is very hard to reach the exact same color especially when your furniture is a couple of years old as the colour.
Upholstery
Fabric Upholstery
We recommend using dry-cleaning when cleaning of our fabric upholstery is needed. Always vacuum clean the fabric frequently on medium power. You can try to remove wet stains by carefully dabbing with a lint-free cloth or sponge dampened with warm, detergent-free water. If the stain remains, we recommend using a chemical dry-cleaning product or getting the fabric dry cleaned professionally. Always consult a professional before starting to clean the textile yourself.
Outdoor Upholstery
Our upholstery for outdoor use is made of densely woven outdoor upholstery fabric capable of resisting water, stains, and fading. Clean using lukewarm soap water and dry immediately with a soft cloth.
Aniline Leather Upholstery
Vacuum frequently with a soft brush. For stains, use boiled water with a natural soap: Whisp 2-3 tablespoons of soap flakes into 1 litre of water and use the foam. Apply the foam with a soft cloth, let it dry and wipe off the leather thoroughly with a soft cotton cloth.
Leather
Aniline Leather
Aniline leather has natural marks and a slight and shade variation must be expected since every hide is unique. The colour of aniline leather will change over time and develop a beautiful patina. However, aniline leather is very sensitive, and stains will become visible if not cleaned off immediately. Clean the leather using a hard-wrung cloth and make sure not to leave any water on the leather. You can impregnate the leather with nubuck leather/ textile impregnation spray. We suggest that you firstly apply impregnation on a smaller and less visible part of the aniline leather in order to ensure the product is safe to use and does not discolour the surface of the leather. Please follow the instruction label of the impregnation used carefully and consult a professional before starting if needed. Vacuum frequently with a soft brush. For stains, use boiled water with a natural soap. Apply the foam with a soft cloth and wipe off the leather thoroughly with a soft cotton cloth.
Nubuck Leather Upholstery
Vacuum frequently with a soft brush only. Do not apply water or soap!
Brass
We only use solid brass in our production. Brass is a natural material that patinates over time. Our brass has been lacquered to increase the products durability and maintain its glow. Special brass polish can be applied to remove discoloration if needed. Brass is a soft metal – it scratches and bends easily, so please handle brass with care. Use only warm soap water and dry with a soft cloth.
Marble & Stone
Marble
Marble carries the marks of history, not two pieces are alike. This unique material displays in the most elegant way the natural ”imperfections” that make each piece special. Our marble products have been sanded and polished to ensure that the stone retains its natural beauty. All liquids – including water should never ever be left to dry on marble, as this will damage the surface. Avoid contact with acidic fruit or harsh and abrasive chemicals. Cleaning of marble has to be as gentle as possible. Dust the surface and gently wipe the surface with a damp cloth when needed. Never use dusting sprays or abrasive cleaners on marble. To refresh the stone’s luster, we recommend that you use marble polish. You can add a bit of mild detergent. Ensure that the detergent is wiped away with a damp cloth immediately. Hard or abrasive objects may scratch the delicate and porous surface of the marble. Therefore arrange our marble sculptures and accessories with great care to avoid breaking their corners or scratching their surface.
Travertine
Travertine is, like marble formed by nature and each piece is unique. Each piece variates in pattern and tonal qualities. Travertine is a soft stone material may develop scratches over time due to everyday use. We recommend that you handle our travertine products with great care and keep them clean and avoid residues from food and cleaning agents. Clean up spills quickly with a damp cloth or a stone cleaning product. Any type of liquids (including water) should be removed quickly, as the liquid will seep through the stones pores and might cause discolouration. You can apply a stone sealer depending on the frequency of use. Hard objects might scratch the fragile surface of the travertine during cleaning and regular use.Clean the travertine gently and dust off the surface regularly and wipe with a damp cloth. Never use dusting sprays or abrasive cleaners on travertine.
Sandstone
All our sandstone used in production is untreated. Sanstone is very delicate and when left untreated as ours the stone is very sensitive and any type of liquids will be absorbed by the stone very quickly leaving marks or stains. Dust the surface of the sandstone and gently wipe the surface with a damp cloth when needed. Only use a damp cloth when cleaning as a cloth soaked in soap water will leave marks on the sandstone. Never use dusting sprays or abrasive cleaners. We do not recommend that you impregnate or try to hone or polish the sandstone. Again. Any liquid will enter the stone pores and change the colortone and looks of the stone leaving the product with an uneven appearance that is impossible to change.
Glass & Mirrors
A broad range of different glass types are used in our collection. For glass tableware, which includes drinking glasses, carafes we use soda lime glass. Mirror glass is used for all of mirrors. For the glass shelf on the Bauhaus Trolley, we use tempered (safety) glass. Some of our vases are crafted from coloured or painted glass.
Soda Lime Glass
Our drinking tumblers and carafe from “The Capsule Collection” are mouth-blown and made from soda lime glass. When glass is mouth-blown small differences in shape and size may occur. The Capsule Collection is dishwasher safe, but not suitable for microwave oven. The glass is thin on our capsule collection and We suggest to handle them with care and stack carefully in the dishwasher – or wash them by hand.Do not fill boiling water inside the glasses or carafe as they may break or crack due to thermal shock. The Capsule Collection is tested and proofed as food-safe.
Tempered Glass
For regular cleaning, use a soft, dry cloth. For heavier stains, use a soft brush with a standard detergent and rinse with a solution of vinegar and water. Avoid using chemicals as it might damage the surface of the glass.
Mirror Glass
Use only warm soap water or glass cleaner to clean our mirrors. Dry with a soft cloth. Always handle mirrors with caution - Sharp objects can easy damage the mirrors surface. Do not allow the edges of the mirror to remain wet for extended periods of time. Never use abrasive cleaners/powders or steel wool as this will damage the mirrors surface.
Glass used for Opal Bowls
Only use warm soap water when cleaning the outside of the Opal bowls. Dry with a soft cloth. Don’t clean using a dishwasher. The colour of the Beige Opal Bowls comes from paint applied on the inside of the bowls hollow shape. We do not recommend that you clean the inside of the bowls. If you choose to do so, please be very careful and gentle. You might scratch of the paint applied to the glass. The Brown Topaz Opal Bowl are made from coloured glass and can be cleaned on the inside using a hard wrung cloth.
Ceramics
In general, do not use any chemical or abrasive cleaners. To retain the quality of your piece and ensure longevity, use a non-abrasive cloth or sponge and warm, soapy water to clean. We recommend wiping with a clean, dry cloth afterwards.
Tableware made of Fine Stoneware
The Setomono Collection is handmade stoneware and therefore small differences in shape and color may occur. The matte finish chosen for the Setomono Collection make them more prone to scratches and marks from cutlery. Scratches and cut marks will become visible in the surface over time and surface wear and tear are therefore not perceived as manufacturing defect. To remove or reduce marks use Vienna chalk, a natural cleaning essence based on calcium. Apply the chalk by following the instruction label of the product carefully. The Setomono Collection is food-safe as well as dishwasher and micro-oven safe.
Ceramic
Some of our sculptures are made of ceramic and covered with glazing. Clean the sculptures using a damp cloth and dry with a soft cloth. Our ceramics are not suitable for outdoor usage. Avoid sudden temperature changes, as a thermal shock can cause cracks in the material. Please arrange your ceramic sculpture carefully to prevent scratching the surface or the product itself.
Textiles
At Kristina Dam Studio we use a wide variety of textile qualities in our production of blankets, throws, bedspreads, cushions etc. All textiles used are oeko-tex certified standard 100.
Cushion Covers and throws and bedspreads
Machine wash at 30°C degree gentle wash for materials that are 100% cotton or brushed cotton. Inner Cushion with natural fillingOur inner cushions are made of 80% ducks feather and 20% down. Machine wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle and use only a detergent with no enzymes since enzymes will tear down qualities of the natural filling. Dry afterwards in tumble dryer along with 2 or 3 tennis balls.
Steel & Aluminum
We use powder coated steel / iron as well as powder coated stainless steel and aluminum in our collection. Powder coated surfaces are harder and more durable than conventionally painted surfaces.
Powder Coated Steel / Iron
Many of the furniture from Kristina Dam Studio furniture are made of powder coated steel / iron. Powder coated surfaces are beautiful, durable and easy to clean. Please do not use chemicals when cleaning and use only warm soap water and dry with a soft cloth. Note that harsh polishing will damage the surface coating.
Powder Coated Stainless Steel
Our furniture suitable for outdoor use are made from stainless steel treated with powder-coating. Even though suited for outdoor use take care of your furniture and don´t leave them outside all year around or at temperatures below 5 degrees celcius. If possible store our outdoor furniture indoor during the winter season and when water starts to freeze. Sunlight will make the colour fade slightly over time. We also do not recommend exposing our outdoor products to water over a prolonged period of time. Water left on the product when the temperature goes below 0 degrees Celsius can caused the powder coating to crack. Clean using warm soap water and dry immediately.
Casted Aluminum
The material is casted and can have either a glossy finish, a brushed raw surface (on our Cone Lamps) or a black powder coating surface. To clean, please wipe with a damp cloth. Never use abrasive cleaners/powders or steel wool as this will damage the surface.
Rugs
We use wool and various weaving techniques on various products in our collection. Our rugs are unique and variations that add to the overall character of the rug must be expected. Porper care and attention will help your rug look beautiful for many years to come. Fibre loss and shedding is normal for new rugs and this will diminish with vacum cleaning. Take good care of your rug and use castor cups under your furniture and by placing a non-slip underlay under the rug.
Our Kelim Rugs are handmade and made of 90% wool and 10% cotton. Wool is a great material with natural attributes that makes it both inflammable and naturally dirt repellent. Vacum clean only.
Earthenware & Stoneware
Terracotta
We use earthenware (terracotta) in a wide range of our products – namely our vases and bowls are made of terracotta. Our terracotta vases and bowls are impregnated on the inside with a silicone layer making them waterproof. This result in the vases being able to contain water, but please note that this ability may deteriorate over time as the silicone layer will deteriorate. Always test you vases ability to contain water before use. Use a damp cloth to clean the surface of the terracotta. Never use abrasive cleaners/powders or steel wool as this will damage the surface of the terracotta. Don’t clean the terracotta using a dishwasher. All our terracotta products are not suitable for outdoor usage as they are not frost-proof. Avoid sudden temperature changes, as a thermal shock can cause cracks in the terracotta.
Stoneware
Our Monolith vases are made of stoneware and glazed on the inside with a silicone layer making them waterproof. The vases ability to contain water may deteriorate over time. Use a damp cloth to clean the surface of the stoneware. Never use abrasive cleaners/powders or steel wool as this will damage the surface. Don’t clean the vases using a dishwasher. Our stoneware products are not suitable for outdoor usage. The stoneware is non frost-proof. Avoid sudden temperature changes, as a thermal shock can cause cracks in the material.
Lamps
We recommend you use a dry, soft, antistatic cloth when cleaning our lamps. Lampshades can benefit by being wiped with a damp, soft cloth. Remove stains with a soft cloth wrung out in lukewarm water – we do not recommend that you use any detergent when cleaning. Our lamps are CE certified and can be sold to countries being a part of the European Union.