Stickley - Collector Quality Furniture Since 1900

Stickley Furniture Care Guide

CARING FOR YOUR STICKLEY WOOD FURNITURE

Your Stickley furniture will not only bring beauty and comfort to your home, but should also become a treasured heirloom. We have seen vintage Stickley pieces valued far beyond their original purchase price. It was not only the craftspeople at Stickley responsible for that increase in value – it was also the care provided by the furniture's owners through the years.

Caring for fine furniture is actually much easier than you may think. Normal light dusting suffices for weekly care, plus an occasional cleaning with a slightly dampened soft, clean cloth. Gently dry as needed. While we don't feel that cleaning/dusting products are necessary for fine, hand-rubbed Stickley finishes, they are fine to use if you choose to do so. Please be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully, and avoid combining products on the finish (for example, most silicone sprays and waxes don't mix well with each other).

If you wish to provide further protection, you may use a high-quality furniture wax or liquid polish occasionally. Furniture wax can help prevent minor scratches and water damage. Please test all products in an inconspicuous location before applying.

General care precautions for Stickley furniture can be summed up in two words: avoid extremes. Solid wood furniture reacts to temperature, humidity, sunlight, moisture, etc., so you will want to protect your furniture from extremes or extreme changes in environment.

Plastic, vinyl, cork or rubber products can damage fine lacquer finishes if they are left in direct contact for any period of time. We recommend using a protective barrier (cotton, linen, felt, etc.) between objects made of these substances and the furniture surface.

If you have a specific care question regarding your Stickley furniture, please contact our craftspeople at care@stickley.com.

CARING FOR YOUR STICKLEY FABRIC OR LEATHER

Stickley offers a selection of hundreds of different fabrics and leathers to be used on our upholstered furniture. These fabrics and leathers vary widely in care specifics, but we are happy to provide some general guidelines for your reference.

Direct sunlight will fade and damage any fabric or leather over time, so please avoid exposing your Stickley furniture to excessive sunlight. Excessive heat, such as being too close to a radiator or heat duct, can also damage fabrics and leathers.

Stickley does not recommend any specific product for the cleaning or treating of fabric or leather. While some can be helpful, others contain harsh chemicals which can damage the fabric or alter the colors. If you decide to use a cleaning/treating product, please follow the manufacturer's directions carefully, and always test it in an inconspicuous location before applying. If you have a specific care question regarding your Stickley fabric or leather, please contact our craftspeople at care@stickley.com.

Fabrics: Regular vacuuming or light brushing will prevent the build-up of dust and grime which can damage the fabric over time. For specific stain removal, it may be necessary to contact a professional cleaner. Please do not machine wash Stickley fabric casings, but use a quality dry cleaner when cleaning is necessary.

For furniture upholstered with fabric, Stickley indicates which of the four industry standard cleaning codes applies to the primary fabric on the furniture. The code is on a label affixed to every product, usually on the deck (beneath the seat cushions) or on the black cambric fabric on the bottom of the piece. This cleanability code will state whether the fabric is safe to clean with water (W), solvents (S), or both (W/S). Some fabrics have a code of X, which means clean with a brush or vacuum only.

Leathers: Regular vacuuming or dusting with a clean white cloth will prevent the build-up of dust and grime which can damage your leather furniture over time. Specific cleaning instructions vary widely depending upon the type of leather being treated. Your Stickley retailer can provide you with information regarding the type of leather on your furniture if you don't have that information. Blot (don't rub) spills as quickly as possible to avoid stains. It is advisable to contact a professional leather cleaner to remove most stains.

Uncoated leathers, such as aniline, semi-aniline and nubuck, have surfaces which can readily absorb liquids and oils. Avoid using soaps or creams on these leathers. Coated leathers, such as pigmented leather, are more resilient, and can be cleaned occasionally with a slightly damp soft white cloth and mild soap. Always test the cleaning method on an inconspicuous location before cleaning the leather.

CARING FOR YOUR STICKLEY DINING TABLE LEAVES

If your Stickley dining table leaves are not self-storing within the table, we suggest that the leaves be stored in either an upright or flat position in a safe location. If stored flat, please keep the aprons facing up. Store them in an environment where the temperature and humidity are stable. For example, your basement or attic are not the best environments for leaf storage.

You do not need to store your table leaves in protective bags, but doing so may decrease the chances of minor scratches or dings. Use bags that are made of fabric or are lined with fabric. Please be careful to not put the table leaves in direct contact with plastic or vinyl, as this can damage the finish.

Please note that each leaf is hand-fit to your table at the Stickley factory. If your Stickley table has leaves which are added to the center of the table (fillers), you will see that the leaves and table halves are numbered on the edges (1-2, 2-3, etc.). When all of the leaves are being used, please match the numbers to each other for the best fit (edge 1 next to edge 1, 2 to 2, etc.). When you are using fewer than all of the leaves, we recommend using the lower numbered leaves.

If you have a specific care question regarding your Stickley table leaves, please contact our craftspeople at care@stickley.com.

CARING FOR YOUR STICKLEY NATURAL STONE SURFACE

Each piece of stone is truly unique in its color and pattern. Natural stone is an elegant and attractive choice for surfaces on furniture and other areas of the home. Stone is easy to care for. Simply dust regularly, and wash occasionally with a mild soap and water solution, drying thoroughly with a soft cloth.

There are waxes, sealers and polishes available for both granite and marble. They can provide some extra protection for the surface, but are not considered necessary. Always test a product in an inconspicuous location before using, and follow manufacturer's instructions carefully.

Marble is a somewhat softer stone than granite, and a thin layer of clear wax can help prevent minor scratching or etching on the surface. Please use coasters under glasses and wet objects. Use caution with liquids with high acid content, such as vinegar or orange juice, as they can damage polished marble.

If you have a specific care question regarding your Stickley granite or marble surface, please contact our craftspeople at care@stickley.com.

CARING FOR YOUR STICKLEY TILE SURFACE

Tile is a low-maintenance surface for Stickley furniture. Clean your tiles with soap and water, avoiding soaking the wood portions of the furniture. Please do not use abrasive cleaners, which can scratch glazed tiles. Avoid chipping your tiles in a kitchen setting by using a cutting board. Use hot pads under hot pans, etc. to avoid scratching glazed tiles. If you have a specific care question regarding your Stickley tile surface, please contact our craftspeople at care@stickley.com.

CARING FOR YOUR STICKLEY BUTCHER BLOCK OR CUTTING BOARD SURFACE

Your Stickley food preparation surface is designed to provide many years of use with proper care. Regular cleaning consists of wiping the item with water and liquid dishwashing soap after each use, then rinse and wipe dry. Please do not place in a dishwasher.

After cutting meat on any wood butcher block or cutting board, clean it thoroughly with a disinfectant consisting of 1 part chlorine bleach to 10 part water solution. Rinse well and allow to air dry.

Butcher blocks used for food preparation may require an 'oiling' from time to time to keep them from getting brittle from the cleaning. We advise the use of an FDA-approved oil specifically formulated for butcher blocks (follow the manufacturer's instructions).

Wood butcher blocks or cutting boards that are not used for food preparation can be oiled occasionally with mineral oil or any product designed for oil-finished furniture. Do not use mineral oil if the item is used for any food preparation or serving. If you have a specific care question regarding your Stickley butcher block/cutting board surface, please contact our craftspeople at care@stickley.com.

CARING FOR YOUR STICKLEY SYNTHETIC LAMINATE SURFACE

The synthetic laminate surface on your Stickley furniture is designed to be very resistant to heat and moisture. Regular cleaning is simple – just wash the surface with mild soap and warm water, being sure to rinse well. Please avoid allowing water or soap to come in extended contact with the finished wood areas of the furniture.

Please note that sharp knives will cut through the protective coating on the laminate surface, marring the appearance. Please use a cutting board for food preparation. While laminate is highly resistant to heat, prolonged exposure to extreme heat (150 degrees or more) can harm the laminate, so please use heat pads for very hot items. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight to prevent fading. If you have a specific care question regarding your Stickley laminate surface, please contact our craftspeople at care@stickley.com.

CARING FOR YOUR STICKLEY DESIGNER RUG

Your oriental rug from Stickley is a work of hand-crafted art that literally gets walked all over every day. But don't worry – Stickley rugs are constructed to maintain their beauty for generations with surprisingly little care.

Regular (weekly) vacuuming is the best care you can provide for your oriental rug. Vacuuming removes the dirt and grit that can sift down into the foundation of the rug and damage the fibers over time. Wet cleaning should only be done as needed, generally no more than every two or three years, and should be performed by a professional cleaning service that specializes in hand-knotted oriental rugs.

Stickley has introduced a new rug cleaning product called Stickley Rug Cleaning Solution, which is non-toxic to family and pets and easy to use for spot removal. Always test any cleaning product on an inconspicuous area before using, and follow manufacturer's instructions carefully.

The wool used for our Tibetan rugs is from Tibetan Highland Sheep. The wool from these hardy animals can grow up to eight inches long. We feel this is the finest and longest lasting wool for our hand-knotted rugs. One of the characteristics of Tibetan rugs is a period of "shedding" when first used. This is a temporary process, and completely natural. Frequent vacuuming will help. If you have a specific care question about your Stickley Designer Rug, please contact our craftspeople at care@stickley.com.

CARING FOR YOUR STICKLEY RUSH SEATS

Woven rush seats were common on Stickley Ladder Back and Bannister Back chairs as early as 1928 in the Cherry Valley collection. Before that, some early Mission oak chairs were also designed to have rush seats.

A soft brush can be used to clean your rush seats for regular maintenance. Please be gentle, as you can damage the strands with overly vigorous brushing. If the seats require further cleaning, and are in good condition, you can use a mild solution of soap and water with a soft, closely-woven cloth. Avoid saturating the rush with water. If you have a specific question regarding your Stickley rush seats, please contact our craftspeople at care@stickley.com.

CARING FOR YOUR STICKLEY FULLY UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE

The legendary comfort of Stickley Fine Upholstery is the result of painstaking product development, careful engineering, and the finest construction and cushioning materials available.

All Stickley cushions (whether they contain down & feathers or not) are encased in a fine quality down-proof ticking. This ticking provides considerable body and rigidity to the core, allowing it to maintain its shape longer than other cushions. As with all upholstery cushions, Stickley loose cushion seats and backs should be reversed and rotated regularly to prevent the casing from shifting on the core. Rotating the cushions also evens out fabric wear.

It's normal for fabric or leather to stretch somewhat with use (it wouldn't be very comfortable if it was too tight to move), and you may notice soft wrinkles in the material when not in use. If desired, these can usually be smoothed easily by lightly running your hand over the surface.