Brass
Most of our brass is unlacquered, which means it will darken. Many people buy it for exactly that. If you want it bright, use any commercial brass cleaner, or a paste of lemon juice and salt, then rinse and dry completely. Never put brass in a dishwasher.
Where a piece is lacquered, the specification says so. Do not polish lacquered brass; it will strip the coating unevenly.
Terracotta
Unglazed terracotta is porous. It will develop a pale bloom, which is mineral salts coming through and is normal. Indoors, use a saucer. Outdoors, only use pieces marked frost-resistant, and never leave any terracotta standing in water through winter.
Ceramic and stoneware
Hand wash with warm water and a soft cloth. Crackle glazes such as celadon are supposed to craze; it is a feature of the glaze, not damage. Do not use abrasive pads on matte glazes, which scratch more easily than gloss.
Cane, bamboo and water hyacinth
Dust with a soft brush, working with the weave. Keep away from radiators and direct sun, which dries the fibre and makes it brittle. If a basket gets damp, dry it slowly away from heat.
Wood
Our carved pieces are finished with wax, not varnish. Wipe with a barely damp cloth and re-wax once a year with any clear furniture wax. Keep out of direct sunlight, which bleaches mango wood quickly.
Textiles
Cushion covers and runners wash at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle. Wash hand-embroidered pieces inside out and iron on the reverse. Dhurries should be vacuumed without a beater bar and rotated twice a year so they wear evenly.
Candles
Trim the wick to 5mm before every burn, which stops smoking and tunnelling. Burn for at least two hours the first time so the pool reaches the edge. Never leave a burning candle unattended or within reach of children and pets.
Artificial plants and dried flowers
Dust faux foliage with a soft brush or a hairdryer on its cool setting. Dried flowers are fragile and will shed; keep them out of direct sun, which fades them within months, and never water them.