Care & Cleaning Guidelines
We believe a well-designed home is beautiful, functional, and able to endure the test of time. The best way to protect your investment in your space is by performing regular cleaning and maintenance specific to the products and materials used in your home.
Below are some tips and tricks that we have gleaned from our trade partners over the course of our professional practice. If you have project specific care questions we are always happy to help — just send us an email and we will do our best to address your concerns.
General Care
Regularly dust surfaces with a damp lint-free cloth.
Protect furniture, countertops, and floors with felt pads, coasters, placemats and trivets.
Maintain indoor humidity levels around 45% to protect your wood floors & furniture.
Avoid placing wood furniture and upholstered goods in direct sunlight. Use a UV protective window film to prevent fading.
WOOD FLOORS
Sweep or vacuum regularly to prevent dirt from scratching the finish.
Wipe up liquid spills immediately.
Damp mop with warm water for regular maintenance, or use a pH-neutral cleaner that will be gentle on your wood floors.
Do not pour cleaner directly on the floor.
Do not use a wet mop that can leave excess water behind.
Never use floor wax, oil-based detergent, or any other household cleaner on your floor. These products can damage the finish and leave a greasy film that makes your floor slippery, difficult to maintain, and impossible to refinish without deep sanding and complete revarnishing.
Be mindful of your footwear — watch out for high heels and cleats which can cause pitting, dents, and scratching.
Avoid floor mats and rugs with rubber/dense backing; these materials can prevent airflow and trap dirt and moisture.
Maintain indoor humidity levels around 45% to protect your wood floors & furniture.
Rotate furniture & area rugs occasionally in order to uniformly expose the wood to light and keep color changes uniform.
CARPET & RUGS
BROADLOOM CARPET
Weekly vacuuming is generally sufficient if you do not have pets. Households with pets may need to vacuum 2-3 times per week.
To treat wet stains you can use a homemade mixture of 3 tablespoons dish soap, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and 2 cups of water. Blot the stain with a cloth or paper towel to soak up any remaining liquid, then apply your stain remover to a cloth and blot until the stain lifts. Use a damp cloth to soak up excess stain remover before patting dry with a dry cloth.
For set stains, test a mixture of 1 part dish soap with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide in a low-visibility area. Dampen the stain with water and blot; then apply the spray, blot, and rinse until the stain lifts. Stubborn stains can be addressed with chemical cleaning agents.
You can deodorize and deep clean carpet with baking soda. After vacuuming and spot cleaning, sprinkle baking soda evenly over the carpet surface and let it sit for at least 30 minutes—longer if possible. After sitting, thoroughly vacuum to remove all baking soda.
FINE RUGS
Plan on having your fine rugs professionally cleaned every 2 to 5 years depending on use.
Do not steam clean or dry clean your high quality rugs. We recommend having your rugs cleaned by a vendor specializing in hand-cleaning.
Vacuuming should be done on a regular basis to prevent dirt and grit from settling into the pile of the carpet, and it is best practice to use straight suction instead of the beater bar.
Appropriate carpet padding extends the life of a rug.
Blot, do not scrub spots on a rug. Excessive scrubbing can damage and distort the nap on a carpet, and can set the stain further into the rug.
With liquid spills, always remove as much of the spill as possible before adding spotting products by blotting the spill with a clean rag. To clean a spot, always use cold water. If something stronger is needed, we recommend a mild detergent diluted with cold water such as Bio-Clean, Planet Detergent, or Seventh Generation.
Some spots are better handled by professional rug cleaners. Examples include pet urine, vomit, ink or dried wine. The longer you let a spot sit, the harder it will be to get out.
TILE
STONE TILE
Natural stone tiles require special cleaning agents.
Marble Tile: Wipe the surface with a pH neutral stone specific solution using a clean sponge, cloth or mop. Only use neutral, non-abrasive and non-acidic cleaners. Do not use cleaner containing vinegar, ammonia, bleach, acids or strong alkalis. Select a cleaner that is a non-oil, non-soap and non-animal fat based product as these products attract dirt and dust.
Travertine and Slate Tile: You can use a non-acidic mild detergent. If your slate tile is coated, you can avoid water spots by drying the tile with a soft towel right after cleaning.
Granite Tile: Similar to slate and marble, granite tile should be cleaned with a mild detergent that is pH-neutral. Harsh cleaners can cause discoloration on the tile. Polished granite floors should be buffed to keep them looking shiny.
CERAMIC & PORCELAIN TILE
Sweep or vacuum regularly to prevent dirt from scratching surfaces.
Clean the tiles regularly with a pH neutral cleaner and rinse with clean water — soapy residue can cause you tile to appear hazy. Use only neutral, non-abrasive and non-acidic cleaners. We prefer a non-toxic cleaner like these products from Branch Basics.
Clean tile using a rag or chamois-type mop. Avoid sponge mops as they tend to push dirty water into the grout lines, making them harder to clean. Frequently change the water while mopping to avoid leaving dirty water on your tiles.
Avoid use of any harsh cleaning products that contain bleach or acidic chemicals. Acid-based cleaners and harsh chemicals may etch the surface of the tile. Be sure the cleaner is a non-oil, non-soap and non-animal fat based product. These products attract dirt and dust.
Dry surfaces with a clean cloth immediately after washing in order to prevent water spots.
Spot clean stains as needed.
CEMENT TILE
Sweep or vacuum regularly to prevent dirt from scratching surfaces.
Use walk-off mats near entries to prevent abrasion.
Cement tiles should be regularly mopped with clear water and when necessary, a neutral cleaner.
Tiles can be buffed with a soft white pad. If using a Magic Eraser, test clean in an out-of-sight area to determine how the finish is affected.
If you wish to emphasize natural sheen, a capful of liquid wax may be added to mop water.
Heavy foot traffic areas and outdoor installations may require additional maintenance and/or refinishing. Cement tiles can be refinished much the same as hardwood floors & this refinishing will restore the tiles to a like-new state.
Do not use acids to clean cement tile as this will damage them.
Do not allow water to accumulate; excess moisture can stain, pit and crack the surface.
Over time a natural patina will occur as the floor naturally wears.
COUNTERTOPS
NATURAL STONES (Marble, Granite, Quartzite)
Use small amount of pH-neutral dish soap diluted with water and a soft microfiber cloth to clean countertops. Rinse the cloth well and wipe the surface with clean water to remove any remaining soap. Dry the surface with a soft towel to prevent watermarks.
Never use vinegar, lemon juice, or bleach to clean natural stones.
Do not use hard bristles, brushes, and scouring pads, which can scratch surfaces. Instead, use a soft microfiber cloth or soft-bristle brush, and a soft toothbrush to remove dirt from corners.
Wipe up spills and stains as soon as possible.
If you do spot a stain: make a poultice of baking soda and water, spread it over the stain, and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand for 24 to 48 hours, remove the plastic wrap, wipe off the poultice, and clean the stone as usual.
For stubborn stains, we recommend reaching out to a professional tile and stone cleaning service.
Re-seal with a penetrating sealer every one to three years to help protect it from stains and other damage.
SOAPSTONE
Use small amount of pH-neutral dish soap diluted with water and a soft microfiber cloth to clean countertops. Rinse the cloth well and wipe the surface with clean water to remove any remaining soap. Dry the surface with a soft towel to prevent watermarks.
Periodic application of mineral oil will enhance the natural color the soapstone and develop a dark patina. To apply mineral oil: pour the mineral oil on a section of counter and rub it in evenly with a low-lint rag. Once the surface is oiled, wipe again with a clean towel to remove excess oil.
QUARTZ (engineered)
Warm water and a soft dishcloth or soft sponge are sufficient for routine cleaning. If you cannot remove residues or grease with water alone, you may use a gentle liquid cleaner like Mr. Clean, Simple Green, or your ordinary dishwashing detergent.
Engineered quartz countertops are generally stain-resistant and non-porous, but spills and stains should still be wiped up as soon as possible. Highly stain-prone substances include: tea, coffee, wine, pomegranates, beets, turmeric, fruit juices, and food coloring.
Quartz can be sanitized with a 70% isopropyl alcohol cleaner or a Lysol disinfectant spray.
Use trivets for hot pans as the sudden change in temperature from placing a hot pot directly on the surface can cause thermal expansion and lead to cracking.
Quartz countertops DO NOT need to be sealed. Unlike granite, marble, or other porous natural materials, quartz is naturally non-porous and will not absorb sealants.
PLUMBING FIXTURES
TAPWARE: NON-LIVING FINISHES (stainless, nickel, oil-rubbed bronze)
Use a non-abrasive cleaner specifically designed for the type of fixture material (e.g., chrome, stainless steel, or brass) and a soft cloth to gently clean the surfaces. Gently wipe surfaces and rinse clean. To prevent water spots, dry with a clean cloth.
To preserve the luster of your faucet, occasionally apply a high quality non-abrasive wax, such as Flitz Faucet Wax +.
To remove hard water stains from your fixtures:
Soak a paper towel with vinegar.
Drape the paper towel over your sink faucet.
Let the paper towel sit for 15 minutes.
When the time is up, scrub the faucet down and rinse with clean water.
TAPWARE: LIVING FINISHES (unlacquered brass)
Do not use cleaners that contain abrasives, harsh chemicals, alcohol, or other organic solvents. Avoid using any cleansers or pads/sponges that are unsafe for polished metallic surfaces. Most green, fibrous pads/sponges contain microscopic mineral particles that can scratch a faucet's finish. Immediately after cleaning your faucet, wash off remaining cleaner with water. To remove water spots, use warm water and a soft, damp cloth.
Hard water stains can be removed with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water, followed by rinsing with water.
To preserve the luster of your faucet, occasionally apply a high quality non-abrasive wax, such as Flitz Faucet Wax +.
If you have a clogged showerhead, soak your showerhead in a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water for one hour. White vinegar will facilitate the break down of mineral deposits and sediment build-up.
SINKS: SILGRANIT
Silgranit has a non-porous, smooth stone surface that repels water and liquids, making it stain resistant and easy to clean.
Daily cleaning: wipe down your sink with a dish detergent and a soft sponge.
Most stains can be easily removed by cleaning with baking soda.
For a deeper, weekly cleaning use BLANCOCLEAN Daily+ to reduce limescale.
Do not use strong abrasive cleaners, metal scrub pads or steel wool. These will scratch and dull the surface of the sink. Magic erasers should not be used on dark colored sinks.
SINKS: CERAMIC/FIRECLAY
Daily cleaning: wipe down your sink with a dish detergent and a soft sponge.
For harder to clean stains on ceramic/fireclay sinks, use an equal-parts water and bleach solution or non-abrasive cleaner. Rinse your sink thoroughly after cleaning and dry with a soft dry cloth to restore its original shine.
Do not use harsh abrasives or caustic cleaners containing ammonia or alkalis.
Do not use scouring pads, steel wool or abrasive powders.
SINKS: STAINLESS STEEL
Daily cleaning: wipe down your sink with a dish detergent and a soft sponge. Dry by wiping in the direction of the brushed finish with a microfiber cloth.
Most stains and limescale can be easily removed by cleaning with baking soda.
Do not use use aggressive cleaning agents such as strong abrasive cleansers that contain chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) or hydrochloric acid.
Do not use bleach on stainless steel, as it can stain.
Do not use use cleaning baths for silver.
Do not use use steel wool, metal scrub pads, prickly brushes or the rough side of sponges—these will scratch and dull the surface of the sink.
GLASS & MIRRORS
For specialty glass and mirrors use an ammonia-free product to preserve the glass.
For glass shower partitions and doors we suggest the following:
Spray a 50/50 vinegar/warm water solution all over the glass surfaces
Allow the vinegar solution to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
Sprinkle baking soda on a damp microfiber cloth or soft sponge & gently scrub the surfaces focusing on areas with soap scum buildup.
Use a soft toothbrush dipped in vinegar to scrub hard-to-reach areas, corners, and edges.
Rinse the shower with warm water, making sure to remove all vinegar and baking soda residues.
Use a microfiber cloth to dry the glass surfaces.
CABINETRY & CASEGOODS
STAINED WOOD FURNITURE & CABINETRY
Weekly, wipe surfaces with a lint-free cloth that has been slightly dampened, then dry with a clean cloth to prevent water spots. Don't allow water to accumulate on surfaces, too much moisture can cause warping and water stains.
Polish stained wood goods with a natural conditioner every six to eight weeks. Avoid products with silicon as they can leave waxy residues that attract dust and make cleaning more difficult.
Avoid using anything abrasive, acidic, or products with harsh chemicals.
PAINTED WOOD FURNITURE & CABINETRY
Weekly, wipe surfaces with a lint-free cloth that has been slightly dampened, then dry with a clean cloth to prevent water spots. Don't allow water to accumulate on surfaces, too much moisture can cause warping and water stains.
PLASTIC LAMINATE FURNITURE & CABINETRY
Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth and a mild soap or detergent; rinse thoroughly with warm water and wipe dry.
Difficult stains such as coffee or tea can be removed using a mild household cleaner/detergent and a soft bristled brush.