NORMAL USAGE
Give Hurtado furniture the care it deserves. Regular attention and maintenance of fine furniture can ensure its beauty for years to come.
Wood is a natural material with variations of colour shade, configuration, streaks and grain structure. Each individual piece of Hurtado furniture has characteristic markings that will differ from photo and showroom samples.
Some plastic feet on computers, calculators, telephones and other rubber or plastic products, such as place mats and vinyl notebook binders, contain a plasticizing agent that may discolour 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. Always remember to lift objects rather than sliding them across the finish.

ENVIRONMENT
It is important to keep the home or office in which your furniture is placed properly humidified. Lack of humidity, usually in winter months or in dry climates, can cause certain veneers to crack and joints to work apart. Wood prefers a reasonable level of temperature and humidity ( around 22C 72F degrees with 40 percent humidity). Wood should not sit near heating or air conditioning registers. These remove necessary moisture from your furniture and dry it out.

SUNLIGHT
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.

WAXING
Avoid using silicone waxes, lemon oil or other oily polishes. Your Hurtado 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 to provide additional protection from scratches and spills. How often you apply the wax depends on how much usage the furniture receives. A desk or tabletop might be waxed at three month intervals, a occasional table at six month intervals. The sides and fronts of a desk, table or chest may never need to be waxed.
Before applying paste wax, your furniture should always be clean. For oily type smudges and build-up, clean with a cloth dampened with a soap designed specifically for wood products. Remember to follow the manufacturers’ 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 one time. Always rub in the same direction as the wood grain, then buff with a soft, dry cloth. If buffed too hard, paste wax may at one time. Always rub in the same direction as the wood grain, then buff with a soft, dry cloth. If buffed too hard, paste wax may alter the furniture’s sheen level.

DUSTING
Periodically use a moist, lint-free cloth, and dry immediately with another soft cloth. You can also use a pre-treated dusting cloth to attract dust without scratching the finish. When dusting a surface that has not been paste waxed, please use 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.

SPILLS
Spills should be blotted immediately rather than wiped. If water stands on the surface there is the possibility that it will cause white marks in the lacquer finish. You can remove these blemishes by heating the area with a hair dryer and applying a silicone-free polish while the surface is still warm. Follow by buffing with a soft cloth and re-apply paste wax if needed. If perfume or nail polish remover is spilled, do not wipe or blot it. The lacquer that has been softened by the chemicals should return to normal when the liquid has evaporated. Allow the area to dry, rub it with a fine automotive polishing compound and apply a fresh coat of wax.
If candle wax drops on your wood finished surface, hold an ice cube to the wax to harden it. Blot up the water and use a dull plastic spatula to remove the wax without touching the wood. Gently scrape away any remaining wax and rub the area with furniture wax to replace the protective coating.
For food type spills use a cloth or sponge which has been dampened in a mild, soapy water (without ammonia).

WOOD FINISHES
Avoid using silicone waxes, lemon oil or other oily polishes. Your Hurtado 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 which should be used on a regular basis to provide additional protection from scratches and spills. How often you apply the wax depends on how much wear the furniture receives. New furniture should be waxed after receipt. A desk or tabletop might be waxed at three month intervals, an occasional table at six month intervals. The sides and fronts of desk, table or chest may not need paste waxing.

PAINTED FINISHES
Textured and brushed-painted finishes that have an eggshell sheen lacquer should not be waxed or polished, as they will acquire an undesirable higher sheen. For cleaning, use a mild, soapy water, then dry the surface immediately with a clean, soft cloth.

UPHOLSTERY
To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing is recommended. Cushions and pillows should be turned on a weekly basis. Down-filled cushions should be brushed rather than vacuumed. Spot clean, using a mild water- free solvent or dry cleaning product. Only a professional cleaner should undertake a complete overall cleaning. The use of steam or water-based cleaners may cause excessive shrinking or staining.

LEATHER AND SUEDE
Leather surfaces should be dusted regularly with a dry or slightly damp soft cloth. Avoid using saddle soap or other cleaners. Leather desks and tabletops have a lacquer coating, therefore they can be lightly waxed. Suede surfaces should only be cleaned with a dry, stiff brush. Exposure to liquid spills should be avoided since suede cannot be washed or cleaned like leather.

MARBLE
Marble is porous and will stain if left unprotected. Marble con be cleaned with mild detergent and warm water, then rinsed with clean water and wiped with a clean, soft cloth to remove any residue. If this is unsuccessful, , repeat with white vinegar. 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.