Care & Maintenance of Herman Miller Products

General

If properly treated, Herman Miller products should remain in good condition for many years. The instructions that follow for the care & maintenance are provided as a service to Wellworking customers; however no warranty is implied since results may vary, and no responsibility can be accepted for damage caused when cleaning.

Wellworking's Customer Service Department is available for consultation on product care and maintenance; please call on 020 3110 0610 with any questions or for additional information.

Veneer finish

Herman Miller finishes will resist most household chemicals and cosmetics, however, some solvents and/or dyes may cause damage and discoloration. If any spillage occurs the area should be cleaned immediately, leaving the surface dry.

Provided that it is not allowed to lie, water will not harm lacquered surfaces and a damp cloth with mild detergent are normally sufficient for routine cleaning. Scouring powders and solvents should be avoided as they could damage the surfaces. A furniture polish, that does not contain silicon, may also be used to clean and protect the finish.

Laminate/Melamine

Laminate finishes should be washed with a soft cloth soaked in a solution of mild detergent, such as washing-up liquid, & warm water. The surface should then be rinsed thoroughly with clean water and dried with a soft cloth.

To remove burns or other types of stubborn marks, use a soft cloth and warm water with a cream kitchen cleaner. Before rubbing, check the grain direction (always rub with the grain). Some laminates do not have a grain direction and on those surfaces, use a light circular motion when rubbing with an abrasive. Never rub so hard that the surface texture or gloss becomes changed and always ensure that the liquid is thoroughly washed off and the surface is dried afterwards.

To remove stains, methylated spirit or kitchen cleaner may be used. Always rub in the direction of the grain and never use a harsh cleaner like hypo chlorite bleach, hydrogen peroxide, nitric or hydrochloric acids, liquid abrasive cleaners, etc.

Moulded plastic chairs

A mild detergent or soap is recommended for cleaning. Wipe off the excess soap or detergent with warm water. For stubborn dirt, a soft brush used with a mild detergent is recommended. For cleaning stains, a solvent such as naptha is needed. A water soluble household cleaner once diluted will remove some black marks. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a soft cloth.

Fabrics

It is a good practice to vacuum upholstery fabrics and panel cloths regularly.

Always remove spots and spills as soon as they occur. Remove as much of the stain as possible by scraping or mopping off with a clean cloth / absorbent white tissue. If the stain persists further treatment is required as directed. Many stains (e.g. beverages) can be removed by clean cold or warm water, however sometimes foam from a diluted upholstery shampoo or very mild soap solution (but this is not recommended on wool fabrics) may also be required. Work inwards from the edge of the stain to restrain spreading. Use only a little fluid at a time to ensure the product does not become too wet by blotting with a large clean, dry cloth between applications. Repeat with clean water as necessary and allow the product to dry.

Note: with some fabrics it may be necessary to clean the complete product to ensure a consistent result without ringing. If an upholstery shampoo or soap solution has been used the product should be rinsed. Finally, after it has dried it should be thoroughly vacuumed to ensure removal of any remaining soap particles.

If this treatment does not remove the stain, specialist proprietary treatment is required, choice of which will depend on the type of fabric and the stain, and manufacturer’s instructions should be followed.

 

Metals

Polished aluminium

To maintain the soft sheen of polished aluminium, it should be polished with a traditional paste polish, applied according to the directions. In moist atmospheres near salt water, the wax should be applied each month. 

Polished chrome

If chrome loses some of its original lustre, this can be restored very easily by taking cheesecloth and wetting it with a non-abrasive cleaner such as washing-up liquid. Rub the part lightly until the original lustre reappears, then dry the part with a soft dry cloth to remove all of the cleaning product.

Painted metal

For normal care and cleaning, wash with a soft cloth soaked in detergent and warm water. Following the washing, the surface should be rinsed thoroughly with clear water and dried. Scuffmarks can be removed with traditional wax polish following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Scuffmarks and scratches can be removed from high gloss metal coatings using automotive polishing compounds and waxes. Paste and liquid type polishing compounds (e.g. ‘T-cut’) will effectively remove scuffmarks and scratches. If the polishing compounds do not restore the original sheen, the lustre of the surface can be restored with an application of ‘Mansion’ wax traditional paste polish.

Thermoplastic materials

For normal care and cleaning, thermoplastic materials (e.g. plastic trims) should be washed with a soft cloth soaked in a solution of mild detergent and warm water. Following the washing, the surface should be rinsed with clear water and dried with a soft cloth.

To remove marks or stubborn stains, use ‘Flash’ solution following manufacturer’s directions. To restore gloss, use ‘Mansion’ wax traditional paste polish. Do not use solvents or abrasive-type kitchen cleaners on thermoplastic materials.