Leather – a high quality product from nature
Transcription
Leather – a high quality product from nature
Q uality Certificate Furniture Instructions for use and care 2 Furniture Quality Certificate The S ofa ... What a feeling Congratulations on purchasing your new W.SCHILLIG upholstered furniture. We hope you enjoy it! Finally arriving home after a long day and letting yourself sink in ... a sofa is more than just a piece of furniture - it’s a feeling! Our bed is where we spend most of our time, but the best times are spent on our sofa! As the hub of our living room it reflects our personality in a way that hardly any other furniture does. Quality, comfort and design make sofas full of a vitality that you can see and feel. For generations now our families have personally seen to it that this standard is met every single day. For over 60 years, W.SCHILLIG has been synonymous with first class furniture, into whose manufacture our staff put their years of experience and German know-how. What does sofa mean for you? Feeling good, relaxing and enjoying life? So sit back and let us inspire you... Its style characterises our living room, the room where we entertain friends, spend precious time together or simply relax and enjoy life. W.SCHILLIG brings this sense of wellbeing to your home! Yours, Erik Stammberger Executive partner/CEO Furniture Quality Certificate 3 Upholstered Furniture is Our Passion This passion has resulted in creating special, high quality pieces of furniture for almost 60 years. Sofas that combine elegant and contemporary design with first class comfort. That is why we consistently use the best materials for our furniture. Every piece is unique. At W.SCHILLIG, people design furniture for people and, for our trained staff, first class workmanship is top priority. 4 Furniture Quality Certificate The most important thing for us is the incomparable comfort that distinguishes every piece of W.SCHILLIG furniture. That is what we value most. To help you to enjoy your furniture for years to come, we ask that you read this brochure before first use so that you can find out everything about the product’s characteristic properties, including changes caused by sun, light and everyday use, as well as important care and cleaning instructions. Contents Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .02 Differences in seat firmness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Upholstered furniture is our passion . . . . . . . . . .04 Tolerances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Quality & environment – the quality labels . . . .06 Build-up of static . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Guarantee and warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .08 Formation of creases and hollows What you should know about your suite . . . . . .09 (wrinkle formation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Measurement, positioning and alignment . . . . .10 General information on use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Weight-bearing capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Plumping upholstery for loose cushions . . . . . . .16 Colour deviation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Upholstered furniture functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Sheen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Upholstery construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Odour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Upholstery and its qualities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Upholstery construction – tight or relaxed . . . . 22 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Benchmark for crease formation. . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Light fastness in accordance with RAL 430/3 .12 Leather – a high quality product from nature . .24 Air humidity, heating and indoor climate . . . . . .12 Leathers for everyone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Non-colourfast textiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Longlife – brand quality that captivates . . . . . . .27 Pilling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Types of fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Friction resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Stain removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Furniture Quality Certificate 5 [quality & environment] Perfection is our standard MARKS Y T I L A U Q RELY ON! N A C U O Y Quality with a golden “M” W.SCHILLIG models are produced according to the DIN and RALGZ 430 guidelines of the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V. (German Furniture Makers Quality Association), and are inspected in all functional and material areas by authorised institutes, e.g. the LGA (Landesgewerbeanstalt Bayern), neutral testing institutes or sworn experts. Our products conform to the strictest German and EU guidelines. As the only quality label for furniture, the golden „M“ guarantees certified product quality and that the products present no hidden health risks. Furthermore, as a member of the German Furniture Makers Quality Association, W.SCHILLIG undergoes permanent inspections. 6 Furniture Quality Certificate Quality is our number one priority and it all begins with your furniture‘s frame, all of whose weight-bearing parts are made from sturdy hardwood or metal. The frame also has solid, no-sag suspension. The seat consists of a high quality, soft or firm spring core, encased in soft foam. The cushions contain a special mix of high quality upholstery foam and brand materials. W.SCHILLIG responds specifically to the needs of their customers and trade partners to satisfy seating preferences, which can vary from country to country. Despite using the most up-to-date, high-tech manufacturing methods, experience in handcrafting is crucial for trademark W.SCHILLIG comfort. Each step in the process is subject to quality control and every upholsterer is responsible for an entire suite. At the final inspection, each suite is checked again for faultless quality and function. We can safely say that your sofa is in good hands! Europe’s greatest honour EMAS is the highest European award for systematic environmental management. W.SCHILLIG is one of the few manufacturers of upholstered furniture allowed to use this symbol. It is only awarded to companies that have chosen the most demanding solution in the field of environmental management systems. State supervised experts check that legal regulations are being followed, while environmental authorities are involved as early on as the registration process. EMAS declarations give the public information about the companies taking part, who are committed to the highest level of transparency. EMAS participants are considered to be the pioneers of active environmental protection and reliable, credible partners for customers – and for our environment. Sustainable company No. 106538 No. 106538 The StayFair label is awarded to companies which products and entrepreneurial responsibility fulfil standards that go far beyond the norm. The requirements for the presentation of the company and its products on StayFair require certified evidence of • fair treatment of nature and its natural resources • fair treatment of society, employees and business partners • environmentally friendly and resource-saving manufacturing of its products Upholstery producer W.SCHILLIG has earned this award! In addition to EMAS, W.SCHILLIG also meets all of the requirements of the globally valid EN ISO 14001 standard. Furthermore, the company is obligated to constantly improve its environmental contribution beyond the standard required by law. Furniture Quality Certificate 7 [warranty ] W.SCHILLIG offers a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty (the 5-year warranty includes two years of statutory warranty) on all Longlife leather for ease of care and high light-fastness values in accordance with RAL 430 from the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel. Raw leather fabrics Q2 and Charmelle come with a 5-year all-round protection warranty according to the manufacturer. The 2-year statutory warranty in accordance with EC standards applies to all other covers and parts of the upholstered furniture. The following are not covered by the warranty: • Normal and natural signs of wear • Wear caused by excessive or inappropriate use • Damage that occurs because of normal and natural wear once purchased • Improper work/changes by unauthorised persons • Unusual use, e.g. commercial use, outside of the private living area • Incorrect handling of heat, moisture, liquids and care products • Damage caused by pointed, sharp-edged, hot or damp objects • Environmental influences such as extreme dryness, moisture, light or temperature 8 Furniture Quality Certificate • Intentional destruction, misuse, overloading and accidental damage • Damage and soiling caused by pets, sources of heat and atmospheric conditions • Staining such as perspiration and beauty and hair care products • Discolouration caused by the ingredients of medication (toxic reaction) • Discolouration caused by non-colourfast clothing • All changes caused by substances containing acid, solvents or alcohol • Unsuitable cleaning products or attempts at repairs or subsequent improvement • Subsequent treatment with stain proofers etc. • Moisture damage caused by standing water or condensation that has not been removed • Product characteristics and tolerances typical for such products that do not represent material defects. [ g o o d t o k n o w… ] A brief guide – What you should know about your suite Upholstered furniture is often purchased based on its appearance. Along with the design, comfort and modern comfort functions are important decision-making criteria. No matter what materials are used, construction and processing are important product characteristics to consider when evaluating the quality of furniture, because these characteristics do not constitute material defects in the event of later changes from normal, natural use. Characteristic properties – result from specific material qualities (e.g. natural features of leather such as scarring from horns, scratches, brands, scars and differences in colour and structure) Scratches Brands Model-specific qualities – the visual appearance of a model (e.g. loose, very loose or firm upholstery) and functioning parts. Loose Very loose Performance characteristics – changes caused by use that do not reflect upon workmanship and quality (e.g. a „favourite spot“ on upholstered furniture). Favourite spot Scars Furniture Quality Certificate 9 [ g o o d t o k n o w… ] Measurement, positioning and alignment Taking measurements when planning furniture and alignment at delivery are some of the most important aspects of furniture planning and assembly. That is why the vendor and fitter have to consider the size, weight and options for disassembly of the upholstered furniture as early on as the planning stage. It is essential that the parts of the furniture are in a straight alignment! Failure to ensure this may very quickly result in anything from consequential damage (e.g. tipping, jamming, squeaking, tearing or scratching) to the material breaking. Special information: The purchaser is responsible for ensuring that the furniture actually fits into the house or flat! Household furniture and bedroom furniture should not be positioned flush with the wall or too close to radiators or sources of light. Adequate air circulation must be ensured. 10 Furniture Quality Certificate Weight-bearing capacity The weight-bearing capacity of functioning parts and supporting surfaces, including those made from glass, wood and metal etc. is limited. The applicable guideline is RAL 430. Individual values and information can be found in the relevant model leaflet. Colour deviations Colour tolerances between the sample present at purchase and delivery are possible. This applies in particular to natural fibres and leather. For reasons pertaining to dyeing technology, no guarantees of identical colour and structure can be made. Sheen Sheen occurs in velvety fabrics such as velour, chenille fabrics and possibly microfibre when the pile lies flat because of pressure during use, creating a different optical “effect” depending on how the light falls, e.g. a light/dark effect. This is not a defect but a characteristic typical of these materials. Damage caused by pets This visual change does not affect use, function and lifespan and is characteristic of the product. Odour It is well known that new products smell to begin with and, depending on the material and composition, this smell may linger for a few weeks or months. The material-specific odour intensity will disappear with use and is influenced by marginal conditions including room climate, time of year, temperature fluctuations, ventilation, degree and duration of use and individual sensitivity and is considered to be completely harmless. Some natural products, such as leather, will always have a characteristic smell of their own. The Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft e. V. has devised quality and inspection provisions for furniture that ensure that furniture does not pose any risk to health or to the environment. Weight Our furniture is designed for a maximum body weight of 120 kg per seat. Exceptions can be found in the relevant product leaflet. Pets You have to be very careful with pets. Pets are the same as all treasured beings or objects – they need tolerance and understanding. Pets cannot be supervised 24 hours a day. It is the responsibility of the pet owner, parents or house or flat owner to supervise pets. There is a lot of advice and information in specialist magazines and media, e.g. Stiftung Warentest (a German consumer organisation), furniture purchasing guide, “A heart for animals” etc. But one thing is for sure – pets with claws or beaks can do considerable and often irreparable damage. Pet hairs, especially cat hairs, are very difficult to remove from textiles. Cats and dogs etc. go outside the home and inevitably bring dirt and possibly pathogens back in with them. For the safety of small children in particular, there should be no direct contact between animals and furniture coverings. An effective solution is to protect your furniture with suitable materials (washable or cleanable covers or throws etc.) against any possible damage or soiling by animals. Furniture Quality Certificate 11 [ g o o d t o k n o w… ] Light-fastness in accordance with RAL 430/3 Light-fastness describes a covering material‘s resistance to the effects of light (in particular, sunlight, daylight and halogen light). Discolouration of material caused by light cannot be prevented in furniture covers. The elemental force of the sun changes all materials! Please be careful in rooms with a lot of light and glass. Curtains or blinds should be closed, especially in sunny weather or unprotected parts of covers can become discoloured after just a few weeks. A i r h u m i d i t y, h e a t i n g a n d i n d o o r climate According to medicine and science, the best indoor climate for people and plants is an annual average of 45-55% relative air humidity at 18-23° Celsius. Short-term deviations from these recommended values do not cause damage immediately, but longer periods of extremes should definitely be avoided. We recommend that you install a thermometer or hygrometer in the room. If the air is too dry, palpable electrostatic build-up may occur in upholstered furniture, textiles and carpets 12 Furniture Quality Certificate (see “build-up of static”). If walls are constantly damp, there is a risk of mould and damage to materials. Non-colourfast textiles Dyeing caused by non-colourfast textiles, e.g. dark denim fabrics, can occasionally occur in light fabric or leather covers. If these fabrics continue to transfer colour onto the covers even after several washes, this is clearly the result of a defect in the clothing and is not due to the quality of the cover fabric. Light coloured covers are made from the same fabric, but it is well known that stains on them are more easily visible. We are therefore unable to accept complaints of this nature. Colour migrations (colour pigments “wander” into the light cover and create spots of colour) may occur where there is a mix of materials (light cover materials combined with intense colours). Care Friction resistance Please make sure that you read our detailed product information, as well as instructions for use, cleaning and care. We want you to enjoy our furniture for a long time. Damages caused by incorrect care or care using the wrong products will invalidate any warranties. This also applies to subsequent stain protection of fabrics or leathers using products made by other manufacturers and to private living areas. If furniture colours meet the requirements of DGM RAL 430/3 we call it friction resistance. RAL 430/3 determines how much the colour of a cover may bleed or rub off. The friction resistance of light colours is usually higher than dark colours. You should only use distilled water and neutral soap for cleaning and rub carefully with a clean, soft, white cloth. Always rub large areas from seam to seam, lightly and using little pressure. Never just rub the affected area (colour abrasion and edges)! Please do not use microfibre cloths or steam cleaners. Doing a test on an inconspicuous area is advisable. Damage caused by third party products, e.g. steam cleaners, impregnation and cleaning agents not recommended by the manufacturer, denim residue and residue from other non-colourfast textiles, hook and loop fastening straps on sportswear and other stuck on substances that contain sugar, acid, softeners, bleach or solvents, alcohol residue or adhesive tape of any kind (e.g. Tesafilm), is not covered by the warranty. Pilling When some cover fabrics – mainly flat and mixed weaves – are first used, little balls will appear on them that will be familiar to you from woolly jumpers etc. They are loose particles of the yarn used, usually mixed with fluff from clothing and they are a characteristic typical of the product. Pilling often occurs after using the product for just a short time. They can be removed with a special de-pilling comb, which is a kind of razor. Pilling and the removal of pills do not have a negative effect on the lifespan of the furniture fabric. Furniture Quality Certificate 13 [ g o o d t o k n o w… ] Differences in seat firmness Build-up of static Design-related differences in seat firmness are unavoidable because of the different geometric shapes in industrially mass-produced upholstered furniture, upholstered beds or sofa beds. You should therefore carry out an intensive sitting test before purchase. Even when new, there can be large tolerances in foam for reasons related to manufacturing. Seat or back firmness is only generally consistent in upholstered parts of the same size and shape. Upholstery fabrics and other mainly synthetic materials have a natural conductivity. Build-up of static can occur in upholstery fabrics due to friction with clothing fabrics in combination with floor coverings. The most common cause is very dry air. Extended periods of heat can cause the cover to “dry out”. Medicine and science recommend a relative air humidity of an annual average of 45 to 55%. If this is the case, air humidity in the room must be raised (wipe with a damp cloth and moisten the carpet). To l e r a n c e s Tolerances in furniture are unavoidable in industrial mass production for reasons related to manufacturing. If the deviations (tolerances) are slight and within the national and international standards for colour, size and structure, they do not constitute a material defect. Instead they are “characteristic properties”. Formation of creases and hollows (See also loose/relaxed upholstery) Definition in accordance with RAL GZ 430/4: “A crease is a deformation that deviates from the original upholstered surface. A fold is a crease with a kink.” RAL GZ 430/4 describes the measuring methods and tolerances. 14 Furniture Quality Certificate Seat firmness and appearance will usually change after being used for a short time due to being sat on. Seat firmness will become softer depending on type and duration of use. The weight of the user also plays a role. This is a normal process that all upholstery goes through. To achieve even firmness for as long as possible, it is important that you change your “favourite spot” on upholstered furniture and rotate (head end at the bottom) as well as turn mattresses regularly. Unsightly creases, hollows or indentations may occur on one side otherwise. This development is supported by the fact that cover materials stretch to a lesser or greater extent due to body weight and heat, forming creases as a result. These visual changes have virtually no effect on use, function or lifespan and do not constitute a material defect of any kind. Normal duty of care includes smoothing out or plumping covers and cushions. The “creases or folds” can be precisely checked as prescribed by specialists or experts. The “harmonious overall appearance” will be evaluated at the same time. Source: RAL GZ 430/4. Stiftung Warentest recommends using seats as evenly as possible so that the appearance can adapt to seating habits. If you do not like this loose appearance you should choose “firm” upholstered furniture. There are usually grounds for complaint if the cover is lying on top of itself in “kinked folds” after a relatively short period of use. Consequential damage of the cover material can usually be expected and immediate action, e.g. in the form of specialist repair, is appropriate. Furniture Quality Certificate 15 [general inform ation on use] Your sofa has been checked by our quality team and approved for delivery. The stability of the upholstered furniture has been designed so that it can withstand the loads for which it is intended. It is important that you follow the instructions below in order to maintain this stability and to avoid possible sagging of the seams: • Do not let children play, jump around or do gymnastics on the sofa without supervision. • Do not “flop” onto the sofa. • Do not slide or pull your upholstered furniture over the floor, but lift it up completely to move it. This avoids distorting the frame and scratching the floor. The sofa must also not be lifted/pulled by its moving parts such as adjustable headrests and backrests. • When positioning or moving the sofa, make sure that the feet are never squint. The feet should always be straight otherwise they could bend or snap off. 16 Furniture Quality Certificate Plumping upholstery Transport and intermediate storage with the retailer may leave marks on your sofa, for example the upholstered elements may be dented or the seams may be slightly uneven. You can quickly restore your sofa to the desired shape and appearance by plumping and gently pulling it. Some suites in our collection have high quality, chambered cushions in the seat and/or back. These cushions may be filled with a mix of polyester fibres or foam rods, depending on the model. The filling is kept in compartments within the cushion so that it does not move. Depending on the type and thickness of the cover fabric, the compartments and the filling may show through to a lesser or greater extent. To stop the filling from compressing, these seat and back cushions should be shaken, just like the pillows in your bed. [plumping upholstery] Suites with chambered cushions This sofa has been through several hours of cosy living. To bring it up to its original elegance and attractiveness, proceed as follows: Hold the back cushion with one hand at the back and plump it up with the other hand. Plump up the back cushions with both hands together, whereby the filling is distributed evenly. Hold a corner of the cushion with one hand and plump it up with the other. Plump up the arm cushion in the same way. Our exclusive models with mixed filling (rod-shaped foam and polyester fibres) will thank you with a long useful life, if you plump up the cushions regularly in the manner described. With this you will also achieve that the special characteristics such as softness, elasticity and smoothness will be long-lasting. Please observe this note on care, so that complaints in this direction are excluded from the start. Furniture Quality Certificate 17 [functional upholstered furniture] Depending on their purpose, all pieces of functional upholstered furniture (e.g. sofa beds, reclining armchairs or sofas with folding arm rests or height adjustable headrests) have various hinges with an often complicated adjustment mechanism. Careful handling is very important for each mechanism to function in the long term, depending on intensity of use. Please take note of the following: • In the case of functional furniture, such as sofa beds with pull-out lying surfaces or reclining sofas, do not activate the relevant part from one side, but always use both hands in the centre. This makes it easy to pull in and out. The hinge may be damaged or torn out of the support fabric by one-sided handling. • Never sit on the extended footrest of a reclining armchair or on adjustable armrests or headrests! The weight-bearing capacity of these functions is not intended to take the weight of a person. ✖ • In the case of upholstered furniture with a bed function, good ventilation of the bed upholstery will contribute to prevention of mould. Please also ensure that the furniture is not used as a bed replacement on a daily basis. • Do not allow children to play unsupervised with upholstered furniture or adjustable parts! • Check the hinge joints for cleanliness from time to time. We recommend that you clean the joints. Metal abrasion can occur underneath the furniture, because functional furniture undergoes regular movements. Please remove regularly by vacuuming or wiping. 18 Furniture Quality Certificate [upholstery] Upholstery construction • Only operate the functions when you are sitting correctly in the upholstered furniture and return all of the functions to their starting position when getting up from the sofa. 1 2 • All of the functioning parts require a certain clearance. Please note that, depending on the type and thickness of the cover, spaces can result for reasons related to manufacture and that slight changes in size are unavoidable. 3 4 • Please keep in mind the information on weightbearing capacity, which can be found in the product information. 5 6 Frame – Beech wood construction Seat suspension with permanently elastic zigzag springs and pressed pile mat cover Seat upholstery construction, in 2 different seat firmnesses: spring core seat (firm) made from polyether foam with integrated spring core and diol cover, Bultex seat (soft) Back suspension with flexible upholstery straps with diol or foam cover Back upholstery construction with high quality mix of polyester fibres and foam rods in compartments (loose cushion or zip fastening). There are also stuck-on foam parts made from polyether foam Side filling made from polyether foam with diol cover 5 4 6 3 2 1 Furniture Quality Certificate 19 [upholstery] Upholstery and its characteristics Seat comfort can differ within an upholstered suite. Construction and shape often mean that it is not possible to give each element used the same suspension (e.g. in the case of corner and linking elements, footstools, different basic geometric shapes and end elements etc). It is also possible for seat firmnesses to appear different, although the upholstery is the same. (Foam may have technical tolerances of +/-15% within its unit weight). There are two different types of seat firmness in upholstery 1. Construction-related differences in seat firmness are the result of different upholstery constructions. That means that the seat comfort of individual elements in an upholstered suite may differ, depending on which construction has been chosen for suspension, upholstery and for individual upholstered parts. 20 Furniture Quality Certificate A) Upholstery The upholstery forms the upper part of the seat construction and, depending on the design, it is crucial for the firmness or softness of the seat. B) Suspension The suspension is the lowest part of the seat construction. It creates the seat firmness, depending on the design and the coordination with the upholstery. If a piece of upholstered furniture has different geometric shapes, the same suspension is not built into every seat element for construction reasons. This can result in differences in seat firmness within an upholstered suite. In particular, this concerns corner elements, linking elements, footstools or end elements. The elements mentioned above may also be softer or firmer than the other elements with a straight construction, despite them having the same upholstery. The most common types of suspension are: steel shaft suspension, elasticated straps and wooden slat suspension. 2. Differences in seat firmness caused by use Over time, your upholstered furniture will undergo a development known as “sinking”. The whole of the upholstery will change during use, corresponding to your body weight and depending on how long it is used for. This process can be observed most clearly if you only sit on one side of your upholstered furniture during the first months. This is a completely normal process that happens to all upholstered furniture. After the upholstery has sunk, it will hardly change at all. To achieve even seat firmness it is important that you change your sitting position from time to time. These changes in seat firmness are normal and do not represent grounds for complaint. Solid wood frame/plywood frame Gluing grained woods may cause colour fluctuations to occur. This may be noticeable in stained or natural woods because of the clear differences in colour. Please keep in mind that wood is a natural material and therefore has a vibrant appearance. Small branches that do not impair weight-bearing capacity may be made into frames. Seat construction according to design (Differences in seat firmness) Nosag Rubber straps Wooden slat suspension Furniture Quality Certificate 21 [upholstery] Upholstery construction (firm/loose) Firm upholstery In this kind of upholstery, the cover is stretched tight over the upholstery and joined, preventing excessive crease formation during use. In most cases, crease formation that occurs when sitting will stretch out again. However, slight crease formation cannot be ruled out as duration of use increases. This is caused by the cover material stretching, not the upholstery sagging. A typical distinctive feature of this kind of upholstery is its linear appearance. The seat comfort is different to that of other kinds of upholstery, because you do not sink very deep into the upholstery, but sit firmly on top of it. Caution: Even here, a decrease in seat firmness, depending on duration of use and body weight, cannot be avoided. Loose upholstery The “loose” upholstery that we prefer is recognisable by its softness. In this type of upholstery, the cover is not continuously tightly joined to the upholstery. The upholstery is soft and the cover is not smooth, so you sit “in the sofa” and not “on the sofa”. A wavy appearance on the surface of the seat, back and armrests is not a quality defect. Depending on the model it is desirable, in order to guarantee optimum seat comfort. If there are gathers or creases on some parts of the covers you can generally assume that it is loose upholstery. “Very loose upholstery” is distinguishable by its extra soft/soft surface. Even when they are new, the covers have a pronounced wavy appearance that is desirable, depending on construction and design. We can assume that leather will stretch with use and that the cover will develop a “used” look, but this change does not reduce suitability for use at all. Evenly smoothing out the creases, from left to right, on the surface of the seat will prevent pleats forming because of use. Evenly smoothing out cushions 22 Consciously soft and loose Upholstered furniture manufacture has changed a great deal in recent years. From the previously firm covers, designs have become much more modern and are moving towards a casual and consciously relaxed look. The upholstery construction is softer and the covers are not stretched as tight. The larger the seat and back areas and the longer a seat is used, the more creases/folds are formed. Formation of folds/creases depending on the model or that are desirable in terms of design is a characteristic of the product. If you choose soft seat comfort you are also choosing unavoidable crease formation. Body heat, moisture and mechanical strain will cause every cover to develop creases/folds over time, regardless of whether it is fabric or leather. This is a normal process. For more information, please read the “Buying Furniture” (Möbelkauf) guide from Stiftung Warentest. In order to minimise formation of creases/folds caused by use, it is advisable to smooth the cover on the seat/back cushion outwards or plump or shake it a little, depending on use. In order to avoid visual differences caused by one-sided use (“favourite spot“), it is beneficial to use all of the upholstered parts of the suite evenly. We only use high quality and appropriate upholstery materials for our quality furniture. Formation of creases and a loose appearance are not quality defects but typical characteristics of these pieces of furniture. Benchmark for crease formation In normal cases, the following evaluation can be used as a basis for permitted crease formation: creases are permitted if the largest crease, based on a seat width of 700 mm, is a maximum of 20 mm high. Different seat widths should be evaluated according to this ratio. Exceptions: Intentionally excessive cover fabric and soft or very soft upholstery. If crease formation is emphasised for design purposes, these values may be exceeded, independently of this. However, if creases formed as a result of use can still be smoothed out, they should be considered to be normal. Furniture Quality Certificate 23 [leather · naturally high qualit y ] Leather is the most valuable and the most hardwearing natural cover material available for upholstered furniture. As with any natural product, leather is unique, with different colours, scarring and other living features. These natural features and colour deviations are no reasons for complaint! Because no two pieces of leather are alike, each piece of furniture is unique. It has so far never been possible to make an exact copy of real leather with all its features. Using the photographs below, we would like to illustrate and explain some of the most common natural features. At the same time, we would like to define what normal features may be used and Surface cracking in covered leather due to insufficient care 24 Colour abrasion caused by use Furniture Quality Certificate show what features have to be recognised as a complaint if they are accidentally used. The location of the natural feature is also crucial in the evaluation. Specialists differentiate between seat, back, arms and body and it also depends on the leather (for example, brands may be used in rustic leather). If the following examples are “conditional”, it means that, depending on the size and location of the natural feature in individual cases, only an expert can decide whether it is a permitted natural feature or not. In particularly difficult cases, only a recognised expert from a chamber of commerce and industry can make the decision. Colour abrasion caused by hair products Operation scars may be used (conditional) Pigment faults may be used There is a leather for everyone Aniline leather: This is both the highest quality, but also the most delicate leather. It does not have any pigmentation at all, so all natural features are visible. It naturally stays soft, warm and smooth, so it feels pleasant to sit on. Slightly pigmented semi-aniline leather: This is a good compromise between a natural Tick bites may be used Colour difference slightly too strong appearance and ease of care. The leather only has a thin pigment, so it retains its natural softness. Nonetheless, Longlife protection from W.SCHILLIG makes it very easy to care for. Covered leather: Very family friendly, robust and hardwearing. It shows fewer natural features because of its stronger pigmentation, but it still feels pleasant. Fattening folds may be used Furniture Quality Certificate 25 [inform ation about leather] Care In principle, all leather needs regular care and cleaning. Routine care could be compared to a daily grooming routine in people. Stains caused by everyday use should be removed (house dust, crumbs, fluff etc.) during routine care, i.e. all leather must be brushed from time to time and carefully vacuumed using light suction and the associated upholstery attachment. Leather should also be treated with an appropriate care set. See also specific instructions in your Longlife Xtra care set. It is best to remove stains as soon as they appear and it is important that spilt liquids are dabbed immediately with absorbent kitchen roll or a cloth – do not rub! This will prevent them from soaking in in the first place. All leather must be protected against sunlight to prevent irreparable loss of colour (bleaching) and drying out. 26 Furniture Quality Certificate Mopping up liquids Dab immediately with paper towels, but do not rub, then treat with distilled water and allow to dry. You may need to repeat the process, adding alkali-free soap. Always clean from seam to seam and do not just clean the affected part. Removal of food, fat or ointments Carefully remove all leftovers from the leather with the blunt edge of a knife blade. Clean with paper towels and then treat with distilled water. The remaining fat in the leather cannot be completely removed. Important: Removal of tough stains (such as blood and ballpoint pen etc.) or refreshing the colour of bleached areas should only be done by a specialist, if possible. Ask the furniture store where you bought your upholstered furniture. When it comes to care and cleaning, it is important that you read the detailed information in the enclosed Longlife Xtra care set! Longlife Xtra – captivating brand quality Longlife Leather by W.SCHILLIG has persuasive advantages over “standard leather”, thanks to its special processing. Common household stains are easier to remove from the surface if it is freshened up at least twice a year with the Longlife Xtra care set that comes with your suite. When this care set is used, we offer a 5-year warranty (including two years of product liability in accordance with EC standards) for the ease of care and high light-fastness values of this unique and beautiful brand leather, in accordance with regulations of DGM’s RAL 430. Treatment with other care products invalidates the warranty. Furniture Quality Certificate 27 [fabrics] The Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel has defined high standards for furniture fabrics in its quality and inspection provisions. The durability of fabrics and the stains they could leave on clothes, for example, are tested in various processes, such as the strict abrasion test according to Martindale. As a member of the DGM, all W.SCHILLIG cover fabrics fulfil these provisions or criteria. As a rule, price says little about the longevity and robustness of a fabric, but it can reflect quality criteria, e.g. exclusivity of the (natural) materials used, sophistication, pressing and weaving processes, high aesthetic value, extreme delicacy or shine (e.g. silk: very expensive, but not suitable for furniture that must be hardwearing). Caution: Visible colour bleeding, especially on pale covers, may be caused by the user’s noncolourfast clothes. It looks “as if the cover has changed colour“. The same effect can also occur as the result of throws or covers used on the furniture. 28 Furniture Quality Certificate [types of fabric] Velour Velour is a collective name for all fabrics where the yarns (whether they are natural fibres that come from plants or chemical fibres that are produced synthetically or made from cellulose) – known as pile – are woven into the base fabric. This production method makes the fabric very hardwearing, if the poles are firm. This type of cover is well suited to furniture that will be subject to heavy use. Slight changes may occur as a result of pressure and body heat. These changes are known as “sheen”. Sheen is shading (light/dark) caused by the change in direction of the pile as a result of body weight, moisture and heat during use. It does not affect quality! Another typical feature of a velour fabric is iridescence, i.e. the fabric may appear lighter or darker depending on how the light is falling. This “colour play” can give the impression that there are colour differences in the cover. The reason for this iridescence is that velour fabric is usually put on the upholstered furniture in one pile direction and the light is reflected differently as a result, depending on the location of the individual upholstered pieces, e.g. in a corner group. This is not a fault and does not depend on the price of the goods. It depends exclusively on the fabric itself (characteristic property). If you want to check whether there are actually any differences in colour, turn the furniture in different directions in front of a window. If shading differs depending on how the light falls, you can rest assured that it is not a fault. Flat woven fabric Flat woven fabric describes fabrics where two groups of threads cross each other at right angles. Pills can form on the surface just as a result of normal use. The technical term for this is “pilling”. Pilling can be caused by: 1. Loose bits of the fibres used in the weave balling up. 2. Other fibres (e.g. from clothes) that get onto the cover. This is known as “external pilling”. Pilling is easy to remove, without damaging the fabric fibres, by using a pilling comb. This does not have a negative effect on the durability of the fabric. In printed flat woven fabrics, the intensity of the printed colours may decrease, i.e. become paler, as a result of use or the effects of light. Flat woven fabrics with a high natural fibre content should not be exposed to direct sunlight, because sunlight can quickly bleach the cover fabric. Furniture Quality Certificate 29 [types of fabric] 30 Chenille flat woven fabrics Microfibre Chenille flat woven fabric is a special flat woven fabric, where, unlike other flat weaves, chenille yarn is woven into the fabric. This gives the chenille a soft appearance. The softer chenille is, the more loosely the fibres are twisted together and the less hardwearing they are. Because of this special weaving technique, the price does not reflect the durability of the fabric. A higher price can relate to the exclusivity of the yarns used or the weaving technique. As with velour, shading or sheen is considered to be a normal sign of use. A slight loss of pile fibres in the areas used is also characteristic of the fabric. This cover fabric is made from a compound of microscopically fine fibres, arranged at random. 10,000 metres weighs between 0.8 and 1.2 grams. Woven or machine knitted fabrics, as well as synthetic fleece, can be made from these purely synthetic fibres. The manufacturing technique produces very hard wearing materials. One of the most popular and high quality materials is Alcantara. Furniture Quality Certificate Pilling can also occur with use of woven or knitted microfibre fabrics. However, the pills are normally made from external fibres (clothes) and can be removed with a pilling comb. Patina formation may also occur with use – comparable with Nubuck leather. However, this will not affect the fabric‘s durability and suitability for use, because it is a characteristic property of this cover fabric. We recommend that you gently vacuum new microfibre covers shortly after delivery, in order to remove any production residue from the cover. This should avoid discolouration of clothing textiles. Please refer to separate care information (see separate table). Flocked fabric/flocked velour This cover fabric is not a woven fabric and is made using a special process. Polyamide fibres are applied and secured onto a strong support material using an electrostatic process. Flocked fabric is distinguished by the wide range of colours and because it is practical and easy to look after. It is especially useful for families with young children. Sheen may also occur in this cover fabric when it is used. This is a characteristic property and it does not affect the durability of the fabric. The fabric also tends to become iridescent, just as we have seen in woven velour. It is important that you refer to the “Information” on page 35! Adhesion may be caused by the material coming into contact with sugary foods (e.g. juice, lemonade etc), young children‘s saliva or similar. Some brief observations about fabric structure and basic materials used: Modern upholstery fabric manufacture only uses safe, low pollution materials. Nevertheless, allergic reactions cannot be ruled out in any materials. Flock adhesion Flock adhesion occurs in normal use and is easy to remedy. In flock adhesion, the fibres stick together to make little dots. These areas are easy to clean and remove with damp leather. Furniture Quality Certificate 31 [fabrics] Cleaning and care of the fabrics described above Like all fabrics that are used every day, upholstery coverings need regular care, because they are exposed to constant dust and contact contamination. Generally speaking, you should not allow soiling to become too intense, so as not to make the cleaning process more difficult and to prevent the dirt from settling into the cover fabric. The right cleaning and care will preserve the utility value of your upholstered furniture. Moisture keeps the fibres stretchy and therefore has a positive effect on the longevity of the fabric. However, you should make sure that the leather cloth has been thoroughly rinsed out with clean water first and that it does not contain residue of any household cleaners. Cleaning is only necessary for out of the ordinary soiling, e.g. after the little “accidents” that can happen in a home (spilt food or drinks or blood etc.). Stain removal There is a difference between routine care and cleaning! Routine care (applies to all cover types) Routine care can be compared with your daily beauty or grooming regime, i.e. the dirt that occurs in daily use (house dust and contact contamination etc.) is removed by regular vacuuming with an upholstery nozzle (low suction) and then brushing with a soft brush in the direction of the pile. The cover should also be wiped with a damp, but not too wet, leather cloth from time to time, because air humidity is often insufficient, especially in central heated rooms. 32 Furniture Quality Certificate Essentially, stain removal should be done by an upholstery cleaner. If you do want to try it yourself, you should consider the following – large stains, e.g. spilt food, should be removed with a spoon or the back of a knife. Never scratch off dried in stains with your fingernail, as this may damage the fabric‘s fibres. Remove liquids with an absorbent cloth, but dab, not rub. Now you can try cleaning the stain with lukewarm water (30° C) and a pH neutral shampoo or mild detergent. Never use household detergents because they are acidic and attack the fabric’s fibres. It is important that you always work from edge to centre so that you do not make the stain any bigger and to prevent edges from forming. If you want to use a cleaning agent, never directly treat the affected area. Check colour-fastness first on an inconspicuous part of the upholstery cover using a white, soft, clean cloth soaked in a cleaning or stain removal product. If there are special cleaning instructions (e.g. for fabrics with stain protection) then you must follow them. Cleaning should generally be done gently and with little pressure. After stain removal, the entire surface – from seam to seam – should be wiped with a damp cloth to prevent edges from forming. Finally, you should brush the pile. The furniture must be completely dry before it can be used again. Once dry, the pile can be vacuumed and then brushed again with a soft brush Furniture Quality Certificate [fabrics] Removing stains from textile covers Water soluble stains: Water resistant stains: A = With cold water, possibly treat with a solution of pH neutral shampoo and water. Never use hot water because protein congeals. D = Treat with solvents such as petrol-based cleaning fluid, ethyl alcohol or commercially available stain remover. B = Treat with a lukewarm solution of pH neutral shampoo and water. If this does not remove the stains, you can treat the areas with petrolbased cleaning fluid or stain remover once dry. E = Do not iron! Crumble as much as possible and carefully lift off. Caution: Risk of surface damage in velour. F = Consult a specialist. C = Do not allow the stain to dry! Treat immediately with a lukewarm solution of pH neutral shampoo and water. 34 Furniture Quality Certificate G = Soak a white cloth in citric acid (1 level tablespoon to 100 ml cold water) and apply. Absorb the stain from the edge to the middle. Flocked fabric Never use solvents because they can destroy the cover! Never scratch off stuck or hardened areas with your fingernail or rub them with a brush, whether they are wet or dry, because this could damage the pile. All stains should be removed with distilled water and soap using light pressure and circular movements. In the case of particularly stubborn stains, please contact the furniture store where you bought your suite. Stain Velour Flat woven fabric Beer C C Microfibre C Butter D D D Blood (old) G G G Blood A A A Egg white/yoke A A A Vomit B B B Paint (emulsion) D D D Paint (oil) D D D Fat D D D Felt tipped pen D D D Drinks/fruit juice C C C Cocoa/Milk B B B Coffee with milk B B B Chewing gum F F F Coal D D D Excrement/urine A A A Ball point pen B B B Lipstick B B B Nail varnish D D D Perfume B B B Rust G G G Soot B B B Shoe polish B B B Salad cream B B B Meals B B B Alcohol C C C Tea C C C Ink B B B Wax E E E Wine B/C B/C B/C Furniture Quality Certificate 35 1 17. 11 -12-1 9--1 . Su b j ec t to c ha ng e. W.SCHILLIG Polstermöbelwerke GmbH & Co. KG Am Weinberg 20 - 22 | 96237 Ebersdorf-Frohnlach | Germany Tel: +49 (0) 9562 370 | Fax: +49 (0) 9562 37 500 info@schillig.de | www.schillig.com