Caring for Tailored by OKA furniture

Tailored by OKA Upholstered Furniture

All Tailored by OKA upholstered furniture is handmade in North Carolina by a team of highly skilled craftspeople.  

From start to finish, each piece is created with the utmost care and attention to produce distinctive designs constructed to high standards from carefully selected materials. Please take some time to read the information in this care guide. With the correct care and maintenance, your Tailored by OKA furniture will provide you with years of comfort and satisfaction.

 
Fabric Features

Our Tailored by OKA upholstered furniture is available in stonewashed linen, laundered linen, and clever velvet. Each fabric has different characteristics, which require different methods of care to keep them looking their best. Every effort is made to ensure that the products supplied correspond as closely as possible to display items in our stores, fabric swatches, and images used in our magazines and on oka.com; however, variations may occur during normal manufacturing between batches, and due to the unique characteristics of natural materials.

 
Linen

• Stonewashed linen has a distressed and more relaxed finish, whereas laundered linen is much finer.
• Fabrics with a linen content can occasionally pill in the early stages of use and have fine threads visible. Some display slub characteristics and may include occasional seeds and husks.
• Linen has a natural tendency to crease, which enhances its textural appearance. Creases will soften and fade out as the fabric relaxes.
• Tailored by OKA linen fabrics are available for both our fixed upholstery and slipcover options.

Clever Velvet

• Our clever velvet fabrics have all the positives of real velvet, with extra benefits due to their polyester weave.
• The polyester holds its color and doesn’t stain from spills or wear out with friction. It doesn’t absorb water or oil, so it is easy to clean.
• The fabric also has a stain guard for extra protection, so any liquid spills will ball up on the surface and can be dabbed off. Baby wipes are often effective for removing spills.
• The pile springs back when fluffed or vacuumed, so it will not mark permanently with use.
• Slipcovers are machine washable; the color will not fade due to the way the yarn is dyed.
   

Seat Cushions, Fillings and Covers

Cushions contain high quality fillings carefully calculated to give an ideal loft. All seat and back cushion fillings will compress when used, just like a pillow. The appearance and performance of your cushions can be preserved by regular maintenance. Follow these simple steps as soon as your furniture is in use:

Foam and fiber with a Dacron Wrap

• This is a firmer and more supportive filling than fiber alone, which softens with use.
• Due to small tolerances in polyurethane foam manufacturing process, the hardness of the foam may vary from cushion to cushion within the same product or order; however, the variance may reduce with use over time.
• Plump cushions firmly on the outside borders occasionally to restore air between the fibers and maintain the shape.
• Seat covers should be rotated and redressed regularly to realign the seat edges.

All Cushion Fillings

• Fillings which are not maintained correctly from the beginning will bind and become difficult to restore, losing comfort and shape.
• Swap reversible cushions around and turn where possible to ensure equal wear.
• Selected Tailored by OKA ranges have cushion covers which are not fully reversible. Non-reversible fibre-filled cushions should have the pad removed from the cover and turned over occasionally.
• Cushions are likely to have moved during transit and, because they need time to settle, may cause slight lifting of the back pads. Redressing may be required so that they sit correctly. Ensure the cushion inserts are positioned squarely and flat on the seating platform so the backs sit flat to the seat.
• The feel of the seat will vary depending on the fabric and size chosen; different fabric compositions can either give a more relaxed or firm feel to the seat when in use. Larger versions of a given style have more cushion surface area for air to escape, so may compact more and feel different from smaller versions of the same style.

 

Frames, Legs, Feet & Leveling

All Tailored by OKA frames and legs are crafted using sustainably sourced birch hardwood, and are constructed using the traditional screw and dowel method for maximum durability. The removable legs are made from solid birch, and are available stained to an Ebony or Grayed Oak finish.

• Furniture must be positioned on a solid, level surface to ensure the product does not rock and damage the frame; use felt pads on the feet to assist if the floor is not level. Protect wooden and delicate flooring from possible marking by feet or castors by using felt pads or castor cups.
• Removable legs that screw in may loosen with use; check monthly that they are secure by gently turning, but be careful not to overtighten.
• Avoid dragging or dropping your upholstery onto corners or feet, or leaning back on two legs as this may cause damage. Always lift furniture with two people and place down gently.
• To clean the wooden legs on your furniture, use a clean, damp cloth. The legs can be polished occasionally with natural wax. We recommend that you do not use household detergent or cleaning products on them.

 

Fire Retardancy

• All foam is manufactured to meet stringent flammability regulations; additives used to comply with this standard may occasionally give rise to a slight odor which will dissipate over time once the product is unwrapped, aired and in use.
   

Sunlight and Environment

• If upholstery is exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time, it will cause the color and fabric to deteriorate. Usage in hot and sunny areas is not recommended.
• At least a foot of clearance from heat sources such as radiators is advised to prevent color change or permanent marks occurring. Likewise, keep furniture a safe distance away from open fires.
• Do not place hot items such as cups, laptops or hot water bottles on the fabric as this may leave a mark.
• We do not recommend placing products in areas with excessively high or low temperatures or where the environment is often damp.

 

General Maintenance Instructions

To help prolong the life of your upholstery, we advise the following:

Cleaning

• Regular cleaning with a soft brush and/or gently vacuuming helps keep your furniture looking its best as accumulated dust will accelerate the wear of covers.
• Periodic cleaning of the entire piece is essential to maintain appearance and prevent premature fading and wear, as ground-in dirt will damage the fabric.
• All upholstery products should be professionally cleaned in situ unless otherwise stated. We recommend you use a reputable specialist upholstery care professional and request that a color fastness test is performed and is satisfactory on an inconspicuous area before cleaning commences as OKA cannot take responsibility for third party actions.
• Do not dry clean or wash covers unless it is specifically stated that you can, as doing so could result in a loss of fire retardant properties and cause fabric durability issues.
• Remove all spills immediately. Blot liquid spills with a clean, dry, white cloth; work towards the center of the spill. Do not rub or use abrasive cleaners as this may damage the furniture. Should the piece become stained or suffer other damage, we recommend seeking professional help.
• For wooden components, use a lightly damp cloth rinsed in warm water. Do not use a detergent. Polish periodically with a natural wax.

Care

• Avoid sitting on the arms or edges of furniture as this may cause distortion.
• Pushing feet against or on arms may cause damage to the arm or frame.
• Using a footstool as a seat may cause damage to the legs and frame.
• Please do not allow your furniture to be jumped on as this will damage the springs and frame.
• Take care to prevent sharp objects such as toys, buckles, garment studs and heels from coming into contact with your furniture as they may cause damage.
• We recommend you discourage domestic pets from climbing on or clawing upholstery. If snags do occur, do not pull them; instead, thread them back in gently. If you share your furniture with pets, we advise you to clean any slipcovers regularly to keep them looking their best.
• Avoid air pollution such as cigarette smoke and cooking fumes, which can cause fabric to fade or change color.
• Avoid contact with household chemicals such as baby wipes (except for use on clever velvets), hair and skin preparations, fake tans, insect repellents and other cosmetics, or household cleaning materials other than those recommended as these are likely to damage the surface.
• Take great care when unzipping covers and replace them correctly. Never force a zipper and avoid trapping fabric when fitting or lifting items by the zippers.