Care & Maintenance

At Made Studio and Workshop, we design and make furniture to last. Over their lifetime our pieces will need a little care and attention to ensure they can be enjoyed by generations to come.

Timber

We work with sustainably sourced, high-grade solid timbers and select veneers, predominantly American Oak and Walnut. Timber is a natural material; tone, grain structure, and natural markings like knots and sapwood vary between pieces. Applied stains are hand-applied to accentuate these organic qualities.

Everyday Cleaning & Protection

  • Daily Care: Dust regularly with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Follow immediately with a clean, dry cloth to prevent liquid from resting on the wood.

  • Spills: Wipe up liquids immediately. Prolonged moisture can penetrate the surface and cause staining or swelling. Any stubborn stains can be removed with soapy water and a microfiber cloth and towel dry afterwards. Do not use cleaners or polishes as these may cause permanent damage or colour variation to your furniture.

  • Surface Protection: Always use trivets, coasters, felt pads, and placemats to shield timber tops from heat, spills, and scratches. Avoid items with black rubber feet, as they can leave permanent marks on the finish.

  • Environmental Control: Kiln-dried solid timber responds to its surrounding climate. Exposure to substantial fluctuations in humidity, air conditioning, direct sunlight, or underfloor heating can cause the wood to expand, contract or develop minor surface checks. Keep timber pieces out of harsh direct sunlight and away from direct heat sources. Should any splitting occur, it can typically be addressed with wood filler or epoxy resin. The tone of the timber will alter over time with exposure to UV light, please protect timber from direct or reflected sunlight.

When properly maintained, your Made Studio timber pieces should last for many years. For older tables with significant wear and tear, you may wish to consider having them sanded back and refinished. Please contact Made Studio for a quote. 

Waterborne Polyurethane, two-pack (Standard): A protective topcoat with a satin finish that sits on the surface of the wood, offering enhanced protection against spills, everyday use, and scratches. It creates a hard, wipeable surface ideal for families. Please note, future touch-ups require professional refinishing rather than simple reapplication.

Oslek Clear Hardwax Oil (Optional): Nourishes the timber and penetrates the surface to enhance grain, creating a natural matte to satin appearance. The downside of oil finishes is they mark more easily from water or spills than two-pack finishes and require more careful maintenance and requires regular reapplication. The benefit is that for future maintenance they can be reapplied or spot-treated as needed over the furniture piece's life.

Upholstery

For warranty information, test certificates (abrasion, flammability and lightfastness) and environmental specifications, please contact our studio or fabric suppliers directly — fabric warranties remain with the original supplier.

To prevent colour fade, avoid placing fabric in direct sunlight and use curtains or blinds for protection where possible.

For removable cushion covers, before washing, confirm your chosen fabric is suitable to be washed.

Vacuum regularly with a soft upholstery attachment, ideally at half power.

We recommend professional upholstery cleaning annually, though this may vary with use — check your specific fabric requirements for appropriate care methods.

For spills, blot gently with a clean microfibre cloth, working from the outer edge inward to prevent stain rings — never rub, as this enlarges stains and damages the fabric structure. We recommend a professional upholstery cleaning service for stains. If using a cleaning agent, test in an inconspicuous area first, apply lightly in several light applications rather than one concentrated dose, and avoid over-saturating or letting water pool in seams.

Cushion Care

  • Rotation & Shaping: Regularly fluff, pat, and rotate loose seat and back cushions to maintain fill loft, shape, and even wear.

  • Feather Inserts: It is natural for feather and foam fillings to soften and settle over time. Feather-filled inserts can be refreshed by airing them outdoors in indirect sun. Occasional feather quills poking through casing is normal; simply pull them out directly rather than pushing them back in.

Leather

Made Studio Aniline Leather

Our in house leather collection is crafted from premium genuine Italian cattle hides. As an authentic aniline pull-up leather, each hide bears the unique story of the animal’s life, featuring natural healed scars, insect bites, stretch marks, and subtle wrinkles. These inherent proof-marks confirm the authenticity of the material and do not compromise its durability or structural integrity.

Understanding Pull-Up Leather

Unlike top-coated or painted leathers, aniline pull-up leather is deeply impregnated with natural oils and waxes rather than synthetic surface pigments. When the leather is stretched, pulled, or upholstered across curves, the lighter undertones "pull up," creating rich tonal variation, depth, and a soft, supple patina that continually evolves over time.

Maintenance & Care

  • Strict Prohibitions: Do not dry clean or machine wash. Never use detergents, chemical solvents, harsh abrasives, standard leather saddle soaps, or suede cleaners, as these strip away the vital natural oils and waxes embedded in the hide.

  • Routine Cleaning: Vacuum regularly using a soft brush attachment to remove abrasive dust and dirt particles. Wipe the surface every 2–3 weeks using a soft, colourfast cloth dampened solely with clean, plain water.

  • Body Oils & Perspiration: Natural skin salts, body oils, and perspiration can break down the leather's natural finish over time if left uncleaned. In warm, humid climates or on high-use contact areas (such as headrests, arm pads, and seat cushions), wipe down the leather weekly. Pay close attention to cleaning along seams and deep creases.

  • Scratch Treatment: Minor surface scratches can often be blended out simply by gently rubbing the mark with the warmth of your clean fingertips. The friction and body heat release the natural internal oils of the hide, softening the appearance of the mark.

  • Sunlight & Heat Protection: Keep leather furniture away from direct sunlight, open flames, and direct heating vents to prevent drying out and premature color fading.

Natural Stone, Travertine & Marble

For occasional custom pieces we work with natural stone, travertine and marble. Contact us to confirm the details of your specific piece. See the follow for general guidelines:

Care & Handling

  • Surface Properties: Typically stone pieces are honed and lightly sealed to preserve their raw, tactile beauty while providing everyday resistance to dirt. Travertine naturally features open pits and character indentations, which are left unfilled unless specified otherwise.

  • Sealing & Etching: If applied, penetrating sealers make stone easier to clean, they do not render it 100% stain-proof. Acidic liquids—such as citrus juices, wine, coffee, or vinegar—will react with the calcium in marble and limestone, etching or dulling the finish.

  • Cleaning Routine: Clean stone surfaces using warm water or a specialized, non-acidic neutral stone cleaner with a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid harsh household chemicals, abrasives, or acidic cleaners.

  • Spill Response: Blot spills instantly with a clean damp cloth—do not rub or scrub, as this can spread the liquid into the pores of the stone.

Moving Stone: Always dismantle heavy stone table tops from their bases before moving. Transport tops vertically on their edge, never flat, to prevent structural stress.

Cork

For occasional custom pieces we work with cork. Contact us to confirm the details of your specific piece. See the follow for general guidelines:

  • Finish & Texture: Our cork surfaces are finished with a protective, eco-friendly, water-borne UV coating that shields the material while retaining its natural warmth and acoustic qualities.

  • Maintenance: Dust regularly with a soft brush or microfibre cloth. For general cleaning, wipe down with a damp cloth using a mild, pH-neutral soap solution.

  • Precautions: Avoid placing cork in areas receiving harsh, direct sunlight to prevent drying and colour shifting. Do not allow excess water to pool on cork surfaces.

Rattan

Hydration Care: Rattan is a natural plant material that requires subtle moisture balance. In dry climates, spray a fine mist of water onto the underside of rattan seats every 6 months and wipe dry to prevent the fibres from becoming brittle and snapping.

Routine Cleaning: Vacuum gently using a soft brush attachment to clear dust from the weave. Wipe with a soft, damp cloth using mild soapy water for deeper cleaning.

Usage Warning: Do not stand on woven rattan seating or sit down with sharp tools, keys, or studs in back pockets, as concentrated point pressure can break the natural fibres.

Glass & Mirrors

Cleaning: Clean glass surfaces using standard glass cleaner or isopropyl solution and a lint-free towel or paper towel. Change towels regularly to avoid smearing dirt or causing streaks.

Protection: Use felt backing pads under heavy ornaments, ceramics, or rough objects to prevent scratch marks. Never use razor blades or abrasive scrapers on glass surfaces.

For further care inquiries or custom finish and material advice please contact the studio at hello@madestudio.com.au.