Frequently dust exposed surfaces with a clean, damp natural cloth. Dry the surface with another clean, dry cloth. Infrequently polish your furniture (a few times a year at most) with a non-silicon-base furniture polish made by a reputable manufacturer, taking care to follow the instructions. Bear in mind that one manufacturer’s furniture care products should never be used in combination with another. Product formulations are unique to each manufacturer and are made to blend with another, so using different polishes may cause build-up that can appear cloudy or dull over time, and/or feel sticky to the touch. Always polish or dust with a motion that follows the grain of the wood to avoid scratching the surface, and allow polish to dry completely before replacing any objects on the surface.

The plain brass and etched tops and panels used on Theodore Alexander furniture require particular care during use and cleaning. Each panel has a rich patina created by a process of natural oxidization that leads to the deep colouration. Having been created by natural elements, etched brass is particularly sensitive to certain compounds and liquids, particularly those with abrasive or acidic bases. This includes wine, spirits and some furniture creams.

We recommend you take precautions to avoid spills and scratches by using coasters and placemats. Should a spill occur it must be wiped up immediately with a soft, clean cloth. Scratches may be touched up using a dark coloured shoe wax.

Over time you may see some colouration changes in the finish, such as a soft mottling. This is perfectly natural as the oxidization process continues and will in no way detract from the beauty of the item.

For everyday cleaning we recommend that you use only a soft, natural fibre cloth and a small amount of oil soap.

Brass artworks are hand cast in our own foundry, using age-old techniques. Occasional application of an inert wax that does not contain a cleansing agent will preserve the patina of the metal. Avoid using abrasive cloths or polishes that may damage the surface.