Care Instructions

At Horgans we believe in products that are made to last. All furniture & homewares will be a need a little care & attention to ensure longevity. The Information we have presented below will help you care for your Horgans products so that you can continue to enjoy your furniture for years to come.

In general terms - we recommend that you use your furniture as it was intended to be used. It is recommended that you do not sit on the arms of lounges, nor sit or stand on table tops, & not to pivot on the back legs of chairs.

Upholstered furniture general care

  • Keep fabric away from direct sunlight as this will prevent UV damage to your fabric. Use curtains or blinds to protect your furniture.
  • Vacuum all fabric surfaces & cushions regularly to remove dust & dirt by using an upholstery brush attachment.
  • Take special care when spraying household chemicals & products near upholstery. Applying noncommercial scented fabric fresheners, neutralisers & fabric protectors is never recommended.
  • Horgans suggests for commercial & residential use of furniture to consider Micro Sealing your new product. 
  • Scotch guarding your upholstery will offer a higher level of protection, however please note that doing so may void any warranty. Ensure that the third party used for sealing offers their own warranty on their service.
  • Professional cleaning at a minimum every 12 months is recommended. If your furniture is used every day, we recommend professional cleaning every 6 months.
  • Always carefully lift furniture with 2 people when moving items around the home – never drag.
  • Wherever possible, always lift your dining chairs by the seat, not lifting by the back support.
  • Rotate cushions often to minimise wear on frequently used seats & prevent concentrated fading. Cushioning & fillings will show signs of wear & tear with normal use. This is not covered by warranty. Cushions may crease, foam & fillings will soften & form to the shape of the user over time.
  • Pilling may occur on some fabrics & this is not considered a defect or fault, but a natural characteristic of woven fabric. It doesn't effect the durability or functionality of the fabric. Pills from fibre can be removed by using a pilling machine.
  • The easiest method to maintain cushions is to regularly “fluff & puff” & if possible, flip them. This is particularly important for feather-filled cushions & if not carried out, can cause them to lose their appearance or comfort level temporarily or maybe even permanently.
  • Should your furniture item contain feather or down, while specialised fabrics have been selected to contain feathers in compartments, occasionally feather quills can pierce through the covers. They can simply be removed by pulling the feather
  • Do not sit directly on scatter cushions or arms of your sofa. Sitting on the armrest of a sofa will deform the foam on the couches & by doing so will void the statutory warranty.
  • Keep your sofa away from heat sources. Keep pets & sharp objects away from your fabric.
  • To prevent possible bleeding of ink onto fabric, do not leave newspapers or other printed material lying on the upholstery.
  • Use floor protectors on the bottom of furniture to minimise damage to floor coverings.

Cushions general care

  • Rotate cushions often to minimise wear on frequently used seats & prevent concentrated fading. Cushioning & fillings will show signs of wear & tear with normal use. Cushions may crease; foam & fillings will soften & form to the shape of the user over time.
  • Pilling may occur, this is not a fault, but a natural characteristic of woven fabric. Pills from fibre can be removed by using a pilling machine.
  • The easiest method to maintain cushions is to regularly “fluff & puff” & if possible, flip them. This is particularly important for feather-filled cushions & if not carried out, can cause them to lose their appearance or comfort level temporarily or maybe even permanently.

For spots & spills on upholstered furniture & cushions

  • Do not rub, rather, gently blot with a damp clean cloth at the time that the spill occurs.
  • Do not use abrasive detergents or chemicals.
  • In some cases, spot cleaning can cause a ring or fading. It is best to have a professional clean the entire piece or cushion casing to ensure uniform results.

Rug cleaning & care tips

The best way to keep a rug clean is to try & prevent it getting dirty in the first place. Avoid shoes & spike heels walking on rugs wherever possible; barefoot or sock-foot traffic is much more gentle to rug than a hard outdoor shoe.

Remember that regular vacuuming is necessary to keep your rugs in perfect condition. Soil particle removal is essential as dust particles have sharp edges that have an abrasive affect on the rug fibres. Although we recommend to get your rugs professionally washed & cleaned from time to time, you can always take extra care of your rugs by following some simple, basic tips on cleaning & protecting your rug;

  • Rotate your rug periodically for even wear 
  • Vacuum on a regular basis using the correct carpet head. Don't forget to vacuum the underside as well as the pad or underlay if you have one
  • Have your rug professionally cleaned ONLY when it needs cleaning
  • Wherever possible remove outdoor shoes when entering the house

Marble

No two pieces of marble are identical, which makes it a beautiful & unique surface to have in your home. As marble is porous in nature, clean any spills promptly to guard against penetration of the surface. Marble develops its own variation in colour & tone over the course of its life and its beauty will evolve over time.

  • The surface of your marble should not come in contact with hot &/or moist/wet containers/materials. We always recommend using coasters, place mats, tablecloths & table runners to protect furniture surfaces from heat & stains.
  • Take extra care to protect your surfaces from candles & heated objects.
  • Wash marble with clean water & a mild cleaner. Wash in a small, overlapping, sweeping motion, & then dry with a soft clean cloth to prevent spotting.
  • Marble can be damaged by products with acidic properties, such as juices, detergents & corrosive liquids. Avoid contact with these types of substances as they can dull or stain the stone surface & destroy the sealant.

Chrome & metal finishes

Dust the surface regularly to avoid build-up of pollutants, which may cause the surface to rust. Due to the finish, scratches may show up more easily. Abrasive objects & cleaning products should be avoided, including steel wool & scouring pads as they will scratch & damage the metal surface.

Do not use bleach or detergents. Avoid contact with sharp or hard objects as this will cause scratching. Always use coasters when placing glasses, bottles or cups on the surface. Any liquid spills should be wiped clean immediately using a clean dry cloth.

Timber

Wood & veneer are natural materials & therefore will display natural variations in their grain and colour. Their surfaces are affected by light & overtime their character & colour will change. As the solid timbers in our range are natural products, they may expand & contract due to varying temperature & environmental conditions. This may cause cracks in the timber. This is normal & not considered a fault or flaw; rather, it is a unique & beautiful characteristic of your piece.

To minimise movement, solid furniture should not be placed outside (unless the item is specified for outdoor use), in direct sunlight, or in heavily air-conditioned or climate-controlled areas. The care of wood furniture varies according to the wood type & finish, & the function of the piece. For more detailed care instructions for a particular type of wood please contact Horgans.

  • To dust, we recommend using a microfiber cloth as this will not damage the surface.
  • For deeper cleaning, wipe the surface of your timber with a damp cloth, then dry with a soft clean cloth to prevent spotting.
  • The surface of your furniture should not come in contact with hot &/or moist/wet containers/materials. We always recommend using coasters, place mats, tablecloths & table runners to protect furniture surfaces from heat & stains. Take extra care to protect your surfaces from candles and heated objects.
  • If you choose to polish your furniture with a product/solvent, you should always try it out first on a small, inconspicuous area to trial how your timber will react.
  • Certain drawers/doors on our pieces have a push to open/close mechanism. With this mechanism, it is important to ensure you place two hands on each side of the drawer/door when opening/closing to ensure an even amount of pressure is applied. Not doing this may cause the runner to dis-align & will not be covered by statutory warranty.
  • To prevent permanent discolouration, do not leave objects in the same position on the furniture over long periods of time.
  • Do not use furniture when multiple drawers & doors are open simultaneously as it can affect the stability & become a tipping hazard.
  • Do not clean painted timber with alcohol, ammonia-based &/or harsh chemicals as this may cloud the surface &/or remove the paint finish.
  • Clean your painted surface with a dust cloth or feather duster to remove dust & debris.
  • Should you use a damp cloth for cleaning, ensure that the cloth is not soaked & the surface is dried with a clean dry cloth immediately after wiping.
  • Do not hit the painted finish with a vacuum cleaner or other heavy items as this will chip the finish.
  • Avoid using paper towel on acrylic surfaces. 

Outdoor Products

For Outdoor products please contact us for more specific instructions on use. In general, especially for wooden & metal painted items, due to the harsh Australian sun & environmental factors we recommend that items not be left in direct sunlight or direct UV. We recommend the use a furniture cover to ensure longevity.

Please ensure that if you see (breakage) or feel (brittle) deterioration of the item, please take action to remove direct exposure immediately, failure to do so will cause further damage. Warranty excludes fading, sun/UV damage or glass magnification damage to wicker.

Outdoor Teak

  • Use a dry, clean cloth to dust your furniture weekly & help maintain its luster
  • Thoroughly clean your furniture twice a year
  • To clean furniture, spray off any dirt or debris with a hose & wipe dry. Using your garden hose will help to loosen most dirt & debris that has accumulated in corners and crevices. Adjust the nozzle to a fan pattern (as opposed to a small jet stream), & maintain 6"–10" between the nozzle and the surface of the furniture
  • For tougher stains, clean with a warm water & mild dishwashing-soap solution. Gently scrub the wood with a soft-bristle brush in the direction of the grain. Rinse thoroughly with water & dry with a soft, clean cloth, making sure all surface water is removed to avoid damage & mildew. Always wipe wood furniture dry after cleaning with water, or any time it gets wet

Outdoor Cushions

  • Place your cushions & slings away from trees or bushes that can drip sap.
  • Never store your cushions while wet.
  • Clean your cushions & slings periodically. While casual furniture fabrics are designed for outdoor use, this does not mean they will not get dirty (mold & mildew can grow on dirt).
  • When not using your furniture, either remove & store your cushions or invest in a good set of furniture covers. Whenever possible store your cushions in a clean, dry place
  • Spread a towel over your chair or chaise before you apply insect repellant, suntan lotion or oil. While some products are totally harmless, others may cause the fabric to "burn" or change color as every tanning preparation uses a different chemical formulation. So, play it safe & use a towel.
  • Clean your cushions & slings periodically. While casual furniture fabrics are designed for outdoor use, this does not mean they will not get dirty (mold and mildew can grow on dirt).

  • For cushions with removable covers the best results will be obtained by removing the covers to wash them by hand or machine wash them on a delicate/gentle cycle & line dry in the shade before refitting.

Mirrors & art

Please follow the below steps for the General Care & correct hanging/install of your mirrors & wall art.

  • Use a clean dry cloth to clean the glass & frame. 
  • Keep in a dry environment. Please keep away from moisture.
  • Store & hang mirrors & art work in an environment with humidity less than 75%.
  • Avoid direct sunlight & exposure to ultraviolet.
  • If fittings are included with your purchase, please ensure any wall plugs & screws provided are suitable to the type of wall construction (eg: stone, brick, cavity) the item is to be hung from & the wall is suitable for holding the weight of the item. If fittings are not included, ensure any parts you use or source are suitable for the type of wall construction (eg: stone, brick, cavity) the item is to be hung from & the wall is suitable for holding the weight of the item. If in doubt, always seek professional advice. 
  • The wall art/mirror has been designed to be hung as per any instructions provided. If using picture wire, be aware that if not hung correctly, could create a strain on the hangers & frame & may result in failure of the fittings.
  • Failure to follow these directions may result in a safety hazard.

Leather

From chairs, to cushions, to base-tops & décor, follow the below steps to get the best out of your leather-goods.

  • Clean any spills promptly to guard against penetration of the surface.
  • Use a quality leather cleaner, carefully following the instructions on the cleaning product.
  • Test the product on a small area hidden from view if unsure.
  • Dust leather furniture on a regular basis as dust can cause damage to the leather.
  • Do not clean leather with water as this may leave marks.
  • Avoid placing it in direct sunlight & keep it at least two feet away from any heat (i.e. heating vents, fireplaces, radiators, etc) & air conditioning sources.
  • Stretch marks, scars & insect bites are considered a natural characteristic of leather & unique to each piece of furniture – this is not considered to be a flaw or fault.
  • As leather is porous in nature, clean any spills promptly to guard against it penetrating the surface. 

Animal skins, hide & fur

Avoid placing it in direct sunlight & keep it at least two feet away from any heat (i.e. heating vents, fireplaces, radiators, etc) & air conditioning sources. Discolouration may occur.

  • Do not rub, rather, gently blot with a damp clean cloth should a liquid spill occur.
  • Do not use abrasive detergents or chemicals.
  • In some cases, spot cleaning can cause a ring or fading. It is best to have a professional clean the entire piece to ensure uniform results.

We acknowledge that animal based or derived products are not for everyone. Typically, such products are sourced as by-products of the food production industry. Our trading terms with our suppliers require that all products meet or exceed strict Australian Government safety, testing, certification & import standards.

Bone & horn products

All our bone & horn pieces are natural products, so just as in nature, every piece is 100% unique. Products may vary from the image on the website & most importantly all the bone & horn are all obtained from ethical & sustainable sources. Our bone inlay pieces are all expertly hand crafted & each piece will have its own unique characteristic.

The production is a three-step process. First the fragments of bone are delicately hand shaped by skilled artisans.These intricate shapes are then affixed onto the timber frame in a detailed pattern. Due to the use of natural products & hand-craftsmanship, any natural flaws, imperfections & variances are part of the unique character of this beautiful item.

  • Dust regularly with a soft cloth.
  • To clean your bone inlay furniture, wipe with a slightly damp cloth.
  • Do not allow bone or resin pieces that are cemented together to soak in water as the adhesive will loosen.
  • Do not use modern cleaning products on bone inlay as they tend to be too harsh for this delicate material. 
  • Exposure to sunlight can help to counteract bone’s natural tendency to yellow.

We acknowledge that animal based or derived products are not for everyone. Typically, such products are sourced as by-products of the food production industry. Our trading terms with our suppliers require that all products meet or exceed strict Australian Government safety, testing, certification & import standards.