Care Guide

Good pieces last longer when you know how to treat them. Here is what we tell customers, material by material.

Solid Wood

Dust with a dry or barely damp cloth, always going with the grain. Wipe up spills right away rather than letting them sit. Keep pieces out of direct sun and away from heat vents, which dry wood out and cause splitting. Use coasters and trivets. Every few months, a light coat of a wood conditioner or paste wax keeps the surface from looking thirsty.

Upholstery and Fabric

Vacuum with a brush attachment every couple of weeks to keep grit from grinding into the fibers. Rotate and flip loose cushions so they wear evenly. Blot spills, never rub, and work from the outside of the stain inward. Check the tag for the cleaning code before using any product. Direct sunlight fades fabric faster than anything else, so pull the shades on the hottest part of the day.

Linen and Cotton

Wash cold or warm on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Skip the fabric softener, which coats fibers and makes them less absorbent over time. Tumble dry low and pull items out slightly damp. Linen is supposed to look relaxed, so do not fight the wrinkles.

Rugs

Vacuum regularly, and use a rug pad underneath to stop slipping and reduce wear. Rotate the rug twice a year so foot traffic and sunlight hit it evenly. Blot spills immediately with a clean white cloth. Natural fiber rugs such as jute and sisal should not be soaked, so spot clean only.

Ceramic and Stoneware

Most of what we carry is dishwasher safe, but handwashing keeps glazes looking new longer. Avoid sudden temperature swings, such as taking a piece from the fridge straight into a hot oven. Small crazing lines in a glaze are normal in handmade stoneware.

Metal and Brass

Unlacquered brass will darken over time. That patina is intentional and most people grow to like it. If you want the original shine, a brass polish and a soft cloth will bring it back. Keep metal dry, and dry it fully after cleaning to avoid spotting.

Glass and Mirrors

Use a lint free cloth and a mild glass cleaner sprayed onto the cloth rather than onto the glass, so liquid does not seep behind the frame or the mirror backing.

Candles

Trim the wick to a quarter inch before every burn. The first burn should go long enough for the melt pool to reach the edges, otherwise the candle will tunnel for the rest of its life. Never burn for more than four hours at a stretch.

Questions

If you are not sure how to handle something you bought from us, email Info@sodomnco.com and we will tell you exactly what to do.