Furniture Operation and Maintenance Rules

Furniture Operation and Maintenance Rules

UAB Protingi baldai, 2021
Protingi baldai UAB authorises the reproduction and distribution of the terms and conditions and rules for the operation and maintenance of furniture.

1. General recommendations for the operation of furniture

The length of time that furniture will retain its appearance and functionality depends on the conditions in which it is used. By following just a few simple rules for the use and maintenance of your furniture, you will enjoy its excellent condition for a long time.

Weather conditions and environmental influences directly affect the condition, appearance, quality and performance of furniture. To avoid rapid ageing of the painted surface and deformation of the wooden elements, the furniture must be protected from intense exposure to light, moisture and temperature.

Furniture should be protected from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, as some parts may become discoloured due to prolonged exposure to intense light.

Do not install an internal lighting source within 20 cm of furniture components, as this may cause discolouration of the product, delamination of plastic or laminate, drying of wooden elements and wood veneer components.

It is recommended that the relative humidity in the room in which the furniture is used be maintained at around 50-70%. Extremely high or extremely low relative humidity should be avoided, as this can lead to deformation of furniture elements (swelling, drying out, delamination) over time. To avoid such consequences, it is recommended to use a humidifier and a dryer to maintain a normal relative humidity in the room.

Very high or very low temperatures, as well as high temperature contrasts, can cause quite severe damage to furniture parts. It should be remembered that furniture is intended to be stored in living areas where there are no sudden fluctuations in temperature and/or humidity. The furniture is not designed for outdoor conditions. The furniture is recommended to be used at a temperature of +18°C – +25°C. Furniture parts must not be within 1 m of a heat source (including heating appliances). Care must be taken to avoid hot objects (irons, frying pans, etc.) that are heated to more than ^50°C. It is not recommended that furniture should be exposed to prolonged exposure to hot air (incompletely closed oven, stove with prolonged heat, radiation from heating lamps). Exposure to hot air may cause the materials on the surfaces of frames and facades to delaminate.

Furniture must be protected from: direct sunlight; direct exposure of furniture surfaces to steam; mechanical impact (avoid impact, do not scratch the surface); exposure to liquids (wet surfaces must be drained immediately); sudden changes in temperature; high temperatures, e.g., do not place hot dishes directly on the surface of the worktop; open flames. Especially protect painted MDF (medium density fibreboard) and other furniture surfaces from mechanical impact.

To avoid the effects of the steam and high temperatures emitted during cooking on furniture, a hood must be installed above the cooker at the height specified by the manufacturer of the cooker (which may vary depending on the type of cooker – gas or electric). Furniture must be located in a dry ventilated room. It is not recommended to cover the grilles and air outlets necessary for ventilation of household appliances under any circumstances. When cooking, remember to switch on the cooker hood to prevent steam condensing on furniture or ceilings, which can be severely damaged by steam. It is also advisable to turn the cooker hood on at maximum capacity for a few minutes before cooking to allow air circulation in the room.

Do not place coffee makers and kettles under hanging cupboards, as the steam and high temperatures can damage furniture.

Do not open the oven door when the oven is running. Do not open the dishwasher door during the cleaning programme as hot water may spill out or hot steam may escape from inside.

Furniture must be protected from exposure to chemically active substances (concentrated alkalis, acids, thinners, etc.). Even short-term exposure to such liquids can cause damage not only to the surfaces and mechanisms of the furniture but also to your health.

As many cleaners contain concentrated, chemically active substances or abrasive (scrubbing) particles, only use specific cleaners designed for furniture care.

Dirt and moisture should be removed from the surface of the furniture with a soft cloth (plush, flannel, etc.) or with special wipes designed for furniture care. Rags and cloths containing abrasive particles should not be used as they may damage the paint and laminate.

It is not recommended to leave dirt of any kind on the surface of the furniture for long periods of time, as it may cause stains that cannot be removed.

Cabinet furniture (kitchen cabinets, hallway furniture, wardrobes, chests of drawers, etc.) must be used for its functional purpose. Furniture that is not used for its intended purpose may be damaged. All items in cupboards and cabinets should be arranged so that the weight is evenly distributed over the entire shelf and drawer area. It is recommended that the heaviest items be placed as close as possible to the fixing points, i.e. the edges of shelves and drawers. For tall furniture structures (kitchen cupboards, wardrobes, racks), it is recommended that heavier items be placed in the lower part of the structure than in the upper part. This will ensure greater stability of these structures.

Do not hang extra weights on doors and drawers. Open and close furniture doors and drawers gently, without shaking them. Do not use excessive force when opening and closing sliding furniture parts. To avoid deformation of the hinge drawers of cupboards and other furniture doors, furniture doors and drawers should be closed noiselessly and kept closed. Do not close furniture doors and drawers with more than their installed pulling power (for mechanisms with pulling power).

Do not use or climb on furniture as a means of promotion or support.

Clean easily removable stains with a clean cloth dampened in water. Wipe the dampened surface thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth.

Clean metal surfaces with special cleaning agents that are free of hard particles and bleaching properties. After cleaning with household chemical cleaners, wipe the surface with a clean cloth moistened with water and wipe with a dry cloth.

Clean chrome-plated or stainless steel surfaces only with cleaning agents specifically designed for this purpose. Prolonged exposure of the metal finishes of furniture or of individual mechanisms and accessories to a humid environment may cause corrosion.

Furniture must be protected from mechanical damage and sharp objects must not be used to clean the furniture.

Remember that many wardrobe and chest of drawers doors only open at 90°, so you should not try to open the door at a higher angle, as this may damage the hinges.

After a certain period of use, some of the mechanical parts of the furniture (hinges, lifting mechanisms, drawer attachments) may lose the optimal adjustment made during assembly and lubrication. Furniture will function properly if the hinges are adjusted in time or the guides are lubricated with paraffin or other similar material. If the threaded joints are loose, they must be periodically tightened.

2. Furniture facades

It should be remembered that the façade of the furniture has a decorative function, so the exterior of the product shall be assessed visually under normal conditions, at a distance of at least 100 cm and an angle of 90° to the surface to be inspected, with a maximum duration of inspection of 30 seconds. If the façade surface is free from defects during the inspection, the façade shall be considered as serviceable.

It is recommended to remove the protective film (if any) when the furniture is fully assembled. The protective film prevents scratches during transport and assembly.

Laminated particleboard (LMDP) furniture is adversely affected by direct contact with water. The edges of the panel (the cant) must be given the utmost attention in the maintenance of furniture made of LFWP, as water that can penetrate through them can ‘swell’ the panel itself. If water or other liquid is spilled, it only needs to be cleaned up quickly. If left for a longer period of time, the water can penetrate through the edges of the panel inwards and deform the surface of the panel.

Laminated particle board (LDP) is flammable and should be protected from direct fire. Do not place furniture too close to a fireplace or air-conditioning vent, as this may warp the material or damage the finish of the furniture.

Microscopic traces may remain on the surface of the furniture after cleaning. Their visibility depends on the colour of the surface and the lighting. Such traces shall not interfere with the intended use of the lacquered surface. Moreover, they cannot be avoided through prolonged use, as is the case with other glossy lacquered surfaces, e.g. in cars. The company does not accept any claims for the appearance of such marks on the surface.

2.1. Facades made of solid wood and covered with wood veneer

The first thing to remember is that wood is a naturally occurring material. The colour and texture of wood adds a unique touch to each kitchen or individual furniture surface. It is characteristic of wood that the texture and colour varies under different lighting conditions, which is considered to be completely normal. This is only a confirmation of the high quality of the materials and cannot be the basis for a claim. Like other natural materials, wood is affected by excessively wet or dry weather. Even when coated with a quality paint, wood can swell or shrink. The kitchen should be installed in a room with a moderate temperature and relative humidity.

Solid wood and MDF façades covered with natural wood veneer are susceptible to direct sunlight and direct exposure to light sources. Exposure to these rays may result in a change in colour saturation (slight darkening of the varnish used to finish the façade, or lightening of the façade). The change in hue and colour intensity is most often observed in facades made of so-called ‘red’ wood species. Facades made with the root veneer of valuable tree species may age naturally and may show ‘veins’. This is a normal reaction of the material.

The facades of kitchen furniture should be cleaned in the direction of the grain of the wood, as this is better for cleaning the facade without blocking the finest indentations in the solid wood structure.

For solid wood furniture, the only facade protection can be a special wax for this type of material and natural wood surface care products containing palm or paraffin oil.

Solid wood and veneer facades must not be washed with high volumes of water, as blistering may occur on the surface of the wood and the surface may peel away from the main part. Such surfaces can be cleaned with a cloth moistened with a neutral liquid soap solution and squeezed well. After wiping the surface with a damp cloth, it should be wiped dry immediately. Excess moisture entering the interior of the façade through the joints may cause micro-cracks. To avoid this, the façade should be dried. Grease and other very dirty stains must not be allowed to dry on the surface of the façade, as these areas may cause irremovable stains on the wood or wood veneer.

Natural wood surfaces need to be protected from impact, mechanical damage and sharp objects. Surfaces must not be allowed to rub against metal objects.

Wooden surfaces and façades with natural veneer inserts shall be protected against the ingress of any aggressive substances (thinners, petrol, acids, acetone, etc.) onto them.

2.2. Painted and varnished facades

The appearance of painted or varnished elements of kitchen furniture made of MDF may change over time due to the aggressive environment (high and low temperatures, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, exposure to steam, etc.) and the cleaning products and methods you use to maintain these surfaces.

Painted surfaces must be protected from any aggressive liquids (thinners, petrol, acids, acetone, etc.). Abrasives, detergents not intended for the maintenance of painted surfaces, strong thinners and acids, and hard sponges are not suitable for the maintenance of facades. Do not use detergents containing chlorine. Painted and varnished surfaces must be protected from impact and sharp objects, as even a slight impact with an object on a painted surface can leave indentations.

Clean the surface periodically with a soft cloth and be sure to use cleaning products specifically designed for the products. Wipes or cloths used for the care of painted and varnished surfaces must not contain abrasive substances. Special polishing liquids may be used for the maintenance of lacquered surfaces of furniture and will usually also clean the surface. Polishing liquids which are not intended to come into contact with foodstuffs must not be used for polishing kitchen furniture. When replacing or adding furniture elements, a difference in colour may be noticeable, but this is not considered to be a sign of poor quality furniture.

3. Countertops and wall panels in LMDP

Countertops made of laminated MDP (particleboard) are the work surface in the kitchen. The material from which they are made is specifically designed for short-term contact with moisture. However, the joints in the worktops are not susceptible to moisture. Damage to the protective waterproofing layer on the joints of the worktops and the joints of the worktops with the sink and the cooker is strictly prohibited. In the event of damage to the waterproofing layer, the joints must be treated with a silicone-based sealant.

Brief contact with splashes of boiling water or hot food will not damage the worktop itself, but may result in stains at the contact points. Areas where hot food has been splashed should be wiped immediately with a cloth moistened with a mild alkaline liquid (liquid soap, etc.). Do not place hot objects (teapots, pans, irons, etc.) on the worktops. Use special heat-insulating trays. Exposure to high temperatures may cause the surface to melt or deform.

Frozen food must not be thawed on the worktop or very cold items kept on the surface for long periods. High temperature contrasts may cause the surface to peel.

Do not punch or cut products on the worktop surface or swipe a hard object across the worktop. Be sure to use special cutting boards for these purposes.

The sealant adhesive crystallises and hardens within a day after the worktop is installed, so the worktop must not be used during this period. This ensures a secure bond between the worktop and the sink.

Take precautions when using glossy worktops. Traces of use (for example, scratches on the surface caused by pushing dishes) will be more noticeable than on matt surfaces. The bottom of earthenware and porcelain cookware is generally not polished. Scratches and abrasions may appear when the dish is pushed against the countertop. Such scratches and abrasions do not prevent the use of the worktop for its intended purpose, but are unavoidable during the use of the worktop and therefore cannot be the basis for a claim.

3.1. Stone worktops and wall panels

Stoneware worktops are resistant even to intense mechanical stress, to light and household materials including weak acids, and to short-term exposure to temperatures up to +150°C.

Do not use sharp objects to make sudden impacts. This can knock the surface of the worktop.

Do not place objects on the surface of the product that can heat the surface of the worktop to a temperature of more than +120°C.

It is not recommended to place dishes with damaged bottoms on the work surface, as this can damage the polishing.

It is recommended to clean stoneware with a soft sponge or cloth using household detergents. Metal scrubbers and detergents with abrasive particles should not be used. This can damage the polish of the surface.

In case of slight polishing damage (fading), it is recommended to use a standard polishing agent.

In case of significant external damage such as deep scratches, dents and cracks, it is recommended that you contact the manufacturer’s specialists who will fully restore the external appearance without dismantling the product.

Stone products require minimal maintenance. If properly maintained, stoneware will remain as beautiful after a long time as it was when it was first installed.

Acrylic stone is resistant to temperatures from -30°C to +120°C, short-term exposure to temperatures up to +200°C, and is non-flammable. However, hot dishes removed from stoves or hot dishes taken from ovens must be placed on heat-resistant trays. Sudden temperature differences are not allowed as, as with any solid material, the integrity of the material may be compromised (cracks may appear).

Prolonged exposure to aggressive chemicals is prohibited for stoneware products. If such substances, including solvents, metal cleaners, substances containing methylene chloride, acidic cleaners, have got on the stoneware worktop or sink, wash these areas immediately with plenty of water and soap.

It is forbidden to place the full weight of the body on stoneware products, as the design of the products is not designed for such loads.

When pouring hot water into stoneware sinks, the cold water tap must first be turned off.

Solid stone is an easily reproducible material because it is uniform in texture and colour throughout its thickness. Most damage, including that caused by severe impact, high temperatures or exposure to chemicals, can usually be repaired in situ, restoring the original smooth and hygienic solid surface.

4. Lifting and pushing mechanisms

The pull-out drawers of kitchen furniture shall be loaded evenly, ensuring a uniform load on the sliding parts (guides). It is recommended that the items on the shelves should be arranged according to the following principle: the heaviest items should be placed closer to the edge (the drawer walls), lighter items closer to the centre.

The load limit of 5 kg for the bottom of extendable kitchen drawers made of MDP, 20 kg for metal drawers (metabox), 30 kg for drawers (tandembox) and 10 kg for shelves (cupboards, racks) shall not be exceeded. The total load of a single hanging cabinet shall not exceed 70 kg.

Do not close furniture doors and drawers with more than their installed pulling power (for mechanisms with pulling power).

5. Glass products

It should be remembered that glass is a fragile material and that glass products can shatter from both dynamic (impact, dropping, etc.) and static (overloading of shelves, sudden changes in temperature) effects. Furniture doors with glass elements must be handled with care and glass shelves must not be overloaded. Glass surfaces must be protected from contact with hard, heavy objects.

Special products for cleaning glass elements must be used. Products containing abrasive substances shall not be used, nor shall sponges with a working surface made of metal chips or fibres. When cleaning glass shelves, it is recommended that they be removed from the cabinets, as glass cleaner on the furniture body or facade may damage the surface.

6. Fittings

After a certain period of use, the mechanical elements of the furniture (hinges, guides, lifting mechanisms) must be lubricated and properly adjusted again. This is indicated by creaking, doors that are difficult to open or drawers that pull out, etc. If you notice these abnormalities in the operation of the mechanisms, do not use very high force to open or close. Timely adjustment of the hinges and lubrication of the guides are necessary to ensure that all the mechanisms work properly.

7. Warranty Terms

Furniture is excluded from the warranty in the following cases:

• If the furniture was self-transported.
• If the furniture was assembled by yourself and without any skill.
• If the furniture is not used for its intended purpose.
• Failure to comply with the conditions of use of the furniture.
• If you have independently modified the furniture.
• If the furniture has been repaired or dismantled, moved to another room and reassembled.
• Improper use of sliding and closing/opening mechanisms.
• If a foreign object has entered the sliding and closing/opening mechanisms.
• If the maximum permissible load for machinery and products has been exceeded, resulting in deformation of the machinery or the product’s façade and/or casing.
• The manufacturer shall not repair, at its own expense, facades, parts and mechanisms with visible mechanical damage occurring after the signing of the furniture acceptance certificate.
• The manufacturer shall not, at his own expense, repair facades, furniture mechanisms and accessories in the event of corrosion if they are not protected against corrosion. Note: Furniture mechanisms and accessories shall be protected against corrosion if specified in the specification.
• If the requirements and recommendations set out in this User and Furniture Care Guide are not followed.

ATTENTION!!! The manufacturer does not accept any claims for swelling of LMDP parts, as swelling is only caused by incorrect use of the furniture.

8. Procedure for lodging complaints about product quality

9. Cabinet furniture is guaranteed for up to 36 months from the date of manufacture.

10. Only written quality claims will be accepted during the warranty period at our showrooms or office.

11. Claims for defects caused by the buyer’s failure to comply with the conditions set out in the instructions for use of the furniture shall not be accepted.

12. The warranty does not cover consumables used to assemble the furniture.

13. Parts, products and mechanisms with technological defects shall be reconditioned or replaced during the warranty period at the manufacturer’s expense.

The decision to replace the product or repair the defect at the manufacturer’s expense will be taken by the manufacturer’s expert panel, based on the opinion of our company’s specialists and a photograph of the defect taken by our company’s specialists.