Product Care Guide

Our philosophy at Ensemble has been the same since the day we started in 1920: make furniture that, with the right care and attention, lasts over the generations.

The guide will help you care for Ensemble products in the best possible way, to ensure product quality and longevity,

Melamine, Laminate & Veneer

The surface of our laminates, melamine and veneer are made from a stain- resistant resin. The toughness and high impermeability of this surface means that Ensemble’s laminate should require no more than wiping with a soft cloth, dampened with plain water or a household detergent mix to remove all common household spills.

• Do not place hot objects, electrical appliances or pots straight from the oven or cooker onto your Ensemble laminate surfaces.
• Do not use scourers and abrasives as they will damage the surface.
• Do not use waxes an d polishes as they dull the natural shine.
• Do not use strongly acidic, alkaline cleaners or bleach for normal cleaning as these will etch the surface.

Streaks
Streaky marks sometimes show on dark colours after cleaning. An all-purpose cleaner such as Windex spray cleaner or Ajax Spray n Wipe usually removes them.

Grease
Using a mild dish-washing detergent in water will remove greasy marks. Dab, wait and wipe away. Finish with an all-purpose cleaner such as Windex spray cleaner or Ajax Spray n Wipe.

Spills
Our laminate surfaces resist staining from most household chemicals. With some accidental spills however, prompt action is essential. Wipe off beetroot, grape and berry juices, first aid preparations, concentrated bleach, dishwasher detergents, artificial dyes, and solvent based pen ink immediately.

Stains
If the stain won’t budge with Extra Strength Windex, try methylated spirits or dab the stain with a diluted bleach mixture (1 part bleach to 8 parts water); leave for 3 minutes then wash off with water and dry. Finish off with Extra Strength Windex. Only as a last resort if a stain persists try 2 or 3 rubs with a créme cleanser or white toothpaste, wash and dry. Please note that bleach or these abrasive cleaners may irreversibly damage the laminate surface.

Scratches
Our laminate surfaces will withstand normal wear and tear, but can be damaged by scratching or cutting with utensils, knives and unglazed pottery. Darker colours will show scratches more readily than lighter colours. In general, dark colours and high gloss surfaces require more care and maintenance than lighter colours or lower gloss colours. To minimise scratching, always place and lift objects from the surface – never drag or slide them across the surface.

Laminates
A damp cloth will remove spills and greasy spots. Rub with a clean dry cloth to bring back brightness. Occasionally clean with mild dish-washing detergent. To remove heavy build-up of dirt use cleaners such as Mr Muscle, Windex or Ajax Spray n Wipe spray cleaners.

2 Pac Paint

Polyurethane looks great and is exceptionally resistant to such things as moisture and staining. When properly cared for, these surfaces last many years. To enhance gloss and remove finger-marks and hand-prints, we recommend using a micro fiber cloth. This will maintain a chemical-free pristine finish. Recommended Cleaners (Light Cleaning). 

General Cleaning & Stains

All but the most stubborn stains can be removed by using mild detergent, warm water and a lint-free (preferably micro fiber) cloth. If this method is insufficient, Spray & Wipe (or a product equivalent) is recommended. Never use abrasive cleaners (such as Gumption or Jiff) as they will strip the surface of gloss and instantly deteriorate the finish. Whilst polyurethane surfaces are generally resistant to solvents, we also recommend against using solvent-based products when cleaning.

Repairing Scratches & Damages

To remove scratches on a matt finish, use a non-abrasive scouring pad, (Chux All purpose Scrub Sponge) in conjunction with Jif and warm soapy water; rub in a circular motion until the scratches are removed.

Use a damp sponge to wipe over the area and remove the soapy residue. Clean the area thoroughly with a general purpose cleanser such as Ajax Spray n’ Wipe and let dry.

To effectively remove deep scratches we recommend you contact your certified fabricator. They will offer the expertise required to restore your HI-MACS surface.

Metals

Powder-coated Metal
Regularly wipe metal with a damp soft cloth to remove particles which can abrade the surface with wear. Avoid contact with liquid, heat and direct sunlight. Do not use abrasive cleaning products.

Stainless Steel
In order to care for stainless steel indoors, an ordinary household cleaner with low chloride used regularly with plenty of water is all that is required. Drying afterwards will avoid leaving any streaky marks.

Fingerprints, Oils & Grease Marks
Mild detergent can shift most light marks. CSG Cleanox minimises and prevents fingerprints in high usage areas. No rubbing or rinsing is necessary, the application of CSG Cleanox also provides extra protection against staining and preserves the stainless steel surface and minimises the need for cleaning.

Rust Marks & Tea Staining
Early action after the onset of tea staining is most desirable to avoid the underlying surface from being affected. Once the surface suffers from pitting then it would probably require mechanical re-polishing and passivation.

Tea staining can be removed by using Polinox US Stainless Steel Rust & Stain Remover. This product will clean and remove rust and stains, such as those caused by coastal environments - this is achieved without affecting the finish of the material.

Grease, Oily Film & Organic Contamination
Oils and grease may be removed by alkaline formulations or hot water and detergents, or if necessary, by hydrocarbon solvents such as alcohol, Acetone, thinners or eucalyptus oil. In cases the surface should be rinsed with clean water and preferably dried. For directional polished finishes, wiping along the polish direction with very hot, clean water and a soft absorbent cloth is a very good final step to reduce smears.