How to care for your Perch & Parrow products

All of our products are made to the highest possible standards and with just a little TLC they will give you years of joy. Here’s how...

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Concrete tops
Leather
Marble
Mattresses
Rugs
Upholstery
Wood

Concrete Tops

Concrete table tops are strong and almost impossible to scratch or dent, but the surface can stain. It's important to mop up spills as quickly as possible. Soap or mild dishwashing liquid mixed with water are safe to use on both porous and non-porous forms of concrete. But if you want to be like the professionals, invest in some wax. A coat of wax acts like a sealant; it prevents stains from setting and makes your table top easier to clean.

Leather

Leather furniture ages gracefully provided that it is well looked after. Think of it like your favourite pair of shoes that you’ve had for years. Just follow these simple steps:

Wipe the leather regularly with a clean, dry cloth. This removes dust from the surface to keep it looking fresh.
Use your vacuum cleaner’s hose attachment to remove dust and fuzz from the furniture's crevices.
Apply a leather conditioner regularly to keep the material supple and help to stave off cracking.
Only use cleaning products that are specifically designed for leather.
Avoid direct sunlight.

Marble

Marble is an elegant material but it is also porous and easily stained by acidic liquids. Avoid placing drinks directly on the surface as you’ll risk leaving stain rings. A set of coasters is a wise investment. Fruit juices, wines and fizzy drinks spills will remove the marble's shiny surface if left for too long, so wipe up any spills immediately with a wet cloth. Hot plates can cause damage too, so always use placemats. If you do get some marks, professional polishing may be required.

Mattresses

A Perch & Parrow mattress should give you years of comfort. After a few months use, you may notice some slight depressions on the surface. This is totally normal and not indicative of any undue wear and tear.

Double-sided mattress
We recommend that this type of mattress is turned alternatively head-to-foot, then turned over side-to-side on a weekly basis for the first 12 weeks. After that you should only need to turn your mattress monthly. The turning process avoids uneven wear and will extend the life of your mattress.

Single-sided mattresses
We recommend that this type of mattress is turned from head to foot for the first 12 weeks and then once a month thereafter. The turning process avoids uneven wear and will extend the life of your mattress.

We hate to be bossy but:

Never bend or roll your mattress. It may seem obvious, but springs don’t like being bent.
Do not carry your mattress by its handles. The handles are designed for position adjustment not hauling.
Never use detergents or chemical cleaners on the mattress fabric. They can damage it.
Do not use a vacuum cleaner on your mattress. The suction will disturb the layers of upholstery.
Never overload divan drawers. They’re designed for light items.

Rugs

Our handmade wool rugs are hard-wearing and should give your feet years of pleasure. Just remember these few tips:

Hoover your rug regularly – if you find the odd loose thread, just snip it off with a sharp pair of scissors.
Keep it out of direct sunlight as it will fade.
If you have a spillage, first blot it both on the top and the bottom with clean, dry cloths. If the spill contained sugar, rinse with clean water and blot dry. If the spill contained milk/fat, use a weak solution of washing-up liquid. Make sure that you air the rug to dry fully.
If the spillage is really bad you should contact a professional rug cleaner.
Our rugs are designed for “normal” foot traffic areas. So that’s a yes to hallways, but your aerobics class…not so much.
Once a year, turn your rug around by 180 degrees, this will even out wear and exposure to the sun.

Upholstery

Our beautiful collection of around 100 fabrics will cope with most "normal" wear and tear.

Cottons, linens and wools
If they get marked, simply spot clean them with a damp cloth as quickly as you can. For deeper stains we recommend professional cleaning. Remember to plump your cushions every week or so as it helps them to keep their shape. To prevent your upholstery from fading always avoid placing it in direct sunlight.

Velvet
We love velvet but cleaning it can be a challenge. So here are a few tips for preserving its touch-me texture.

If there’s animal hair, dust and fuzz on the surface then vacuum with a special upholstery attachment for velvet. Run the attachment gently back and forth over the velvet until the surface is clean.
If you don't have a vacuum attachment, simply place an old pair of tights over the vacuum’s nozzle - it will work just as well. As above, be gentle.
If you spill something on your velvet, don’t panic. Take a clean, absorbent cloth or paper towel and soak up the excess liquid. Do not dab or rub the spill, as this will force the liquid deeper into the fibres. Leave the cloth in place until it has absorbed most of the spill then allow the velvet to air dry.

Wood

Dependable and ubiquitous, we all have wood in our homes. Don’t just take it for granted but give it some love too

To clean your wood furniture, use a mix of warm water and mild hand soap. Cleaning furniture with water won't hurt it, just be careful not to soak it. Try using an old toothbrush for intricately carved corners. Wipe the dirt off the surface with soft cloths or paper towels until they come up clean.
Dry the wood with a lint-free cloth.
Remember that changes in temperature can cause timber to expand – this is why drawers get a bit stiff. Rubbing a wax candle along the runners will work a treat.

We hate to be bossy but:

Don’t use polish containing silicone as it can spoil the finish.
Never leave your wood in direct sunlight as the colour can fade.
Don’t drag your furniture across the floor. It’s bad for the furniture’s joints - and yours.
Never balance on the back two legs of a chair. It damages the chair’s joints and puts unnecessary pressure on the structure.