Conditions and rules for the operation and maintenance of furniture

PB SMART FURNITURE LTD, 2024
PB SMART FURNITURE LTD authorises the reproduction and distribution of the terms and conditions and rules for the operation and maintenance of furniture.

1. General recommendations for the operation of furniture

The length of time that furniture will retain its appearance and functionality depends on the conditions in which it is used. By following just a few simple rules for the use and maintenance of your furniture, you’ll be able to enjoy great furniture for a long time.

Weather conditions and environmental influences directly affect the condition, appearance, quality and performance of furniture. To avoid rapid ageing of the painted surface and deformation of the wooden elements, furniture must be protected from intense exposure to light, humidity and temperature.

Furniture must be protected from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, as some parts may become discoloured due to prolonged exposure to intense light.

Do not install an internal lighting source within 20 cm of furniture components, as this may cause discolouration of the product, delamination of plastic or laminate, drying of wooden elements and wood veneer components.

It is recommended that the relative humidity in the room in which the furniture is used be maintained at around 50-70%. Extremely high or extremely low relative humidity should be avoided, as it can cause furniture elements to deform over time (swelling, drying out, delaminating). To avoid such consequences, it is recommended to use a humidifier and a dehumidifier to maintain normal relative humidity in the room.

Very high or very low temperatures, as well as high temperature contrasts, can cause quite severe damage to furniture parts. It should be remembered that furniture is intended to be stored in living areas where there are no sudden fluctuations in temperature and/or humidity. The furniture is not suitable for outdoor use. The furniture is recommended to be used at a temperature of +18°C – +25°C. Furniture fittings must not be within 1 m of a heat source (including heating appliances). Care must be taken to avoid hot objects (irons, frying pans, etc.) that are hotter than ^50°C. It is not recommended to expose furniture to prolonged exposure to hot air (incompletely closed ovens, hot stoves, heat lamps). Exposure to hot air can cause the materials on the surfaces of frames and facades to delaminate.

Furniture must be protected from: direct sunlight; direct exposure of furniture surfaces to steam; mechanical impact (avoid impact, do not scratch the surface); exposure to liquids (wet surfaces must be drained immediately); sudden changes in temperature; high temperatures, e.g., do not place hot dishes directly on the surface of the worktop; open flames. Especially protect painted MDF (medium density fibreboard) and other furniture surfaces from mechanical impact.

To avoid the effects of the steam and high temperatures emitted during cooking on furniture, a hood must be installed above the cooker at the height specified by the manufacturer of the cooker (which may vary depending on the type of cooker – gas or electric). Furniture must be in a dry, ventilated room. It is not recommended to cover grilles and air outlets for ventilation of household appliances under any circumstances. When cooking, remember to turn on the cooker hood to prevent steam from condensing on furniture or ceilings, which can be severely damaged by steam. It is also advisable to turn the cooker hood on at maximum capacity for a few minutes before cooking to allow air circulation in the room.

Do not place coffee makers and kettles under hanging cupboards, as the steam and high temperatures can damage furniture.

Do not open the oven door when the oven is running. Do not open the dishwasher door during the washing programme, as hot water may spill out or hot steam may erupt from inside.

Furniture must be protected from exposure to chemically active substances (concentrated alkalis, acids, thinners, etc.). Even short-term exposure to such liquids can cause damage not only to the surfaces and mechanisms of furniture, but also to your health.

As many cleaners contain concentrated, chemically active substances or abrasive (scrubbing) particles, only use specific cleaners designed for furniture care.

Dirt and moisture should be removed from the surface of the furniture with a soft cloth (plush, flannel, etc.) or with special wipes designed for furniture care. Rags and cloths containing abrasive particles should not be used as this can damage the paint and laminate.

It is not recommended to leave dirt of any origin on the surface of the furniture for long periods of time, as it may cause stains that cannot be removed.

Cabinet furniture (kitchen cabinets, hallway furniture, wardrobes, chests of drawers, etc.) must be used for its functional purpose. Furniture that is not used for its intended purpose can be damaged. All items in cupboards and cabinets should be arranged in such a way that the weight is evenly distributed over the entire shelf and drawer area. It is recommended to place the heaviest items as close to the anchorages as possible, i.e. y. at the edges of shelves and drawers. For tall furniture structures (kitchen cupboards, wardrobes, shelving), it is recommended to store heavier items in the lower part of the structure than in the upper part. This will ensure greater stability of these structures.

Do not hang extra weights on doors and drawers. Open and close furniture doors and drawers gently, without disturbing them. Do not use excessive force when opening and closing sliding furniture parts. To avoid deformation of the hinge drawers of cupboards and other furniture doors, furniture doors and drawers should be closed noiselessly and kept closed. Do not close furniture doors and drawers with more than their installed pulling power (for mechanisms with pulls).

Do not use or climb on furniture as a means of promotion or support.

Clean easily removable stains with a clean cloth dampened in water. Thoroughly wipe the dampened surface with a clean, dry cloth.

Clean metal surfaces with special cleaning agents that are free of hard particles and bleaching properties. After cleaning with household cleaning products, wipe the surface with a clean cloth moistened with water and wipe with a dry cloth.

Clean chrome-plated or stainless steel surfaces only with cleaning agents specifically designed for this purpose. Prolonged storage of metal finishes or individual mechanisms and accessories of furniture in a humid environment can cause corrosion.

Furniture must be protected from mechanical damage and sharp objects must not be used to clean the furniture.

Remember that many wardrobe and chest of drawers doors only open at 90°, so you should not try to open the door at a higher angle, as this could damage the hinges.

After a certain period of use, some of the mechanical parts of the furniture (hinges, lifting mechanisms, drawer attachments) may lose the optimal adjustment made during assembly and lubrication. Furniture will function properly if the hinges are adjusted in time or the guides are lubricated with paraffin or a similar material. If the threaded joints are loose, they must be periodically tightened.

2. Furniture facades

It should be remembered that the façade of the furniture has a decorative function, so the exterior of the product shall be assessed visually under normal conditions at a distance of at least 100 cm and an angle of 90° to the surface to be inspected, with a maximum duration of inspection of 30 seconds. If the façade surface is free from defects on inspection, the façade shall be considered as serviceable.

It is recommended to remove the protective film (if any) when the furniture is fully assembled. The protective film protects against scratches during transport and assembly of furniture.

Laminated particleboard (LMDP) furniture is adversely affected by direct contact with water. The edges of the panel (the cant) must be given the utmost attention when maintaining furniture made of LFWP, as water that can penetrate them can “swell” the panel itself. After spilling water or other liquids, all you have to do is wipe it up quickly. If left for longer, water can penetrate through the edges of the panel inwards and deform the panel surface.

Laminated particle board (LDP) is flammable and should be protected from direct fire. Do not place furniture too close to a fireplace or air conditioning vent, as this could warp the material or damage the finish of the furniture.

Microscopic traces may remain on the surface of the furniture after cleaning. Their visibility depends on the colour of the surface and the lighting. Such traces shall not interfere with the intended use of the lacquered surface. Moreover, they cannot be avoided through prolonged use, as is the case with other glossy lacquered surfaces, e.g. in cars. The company does not accept any claims for the appearance of such marks on the surface.

2.1. Facades made of solid wood and covered with wood veneer

The first thing to remember is that wood is a naturally occurring material. The colour and texture of the wood adds a unique touch to each kitchen or individual furniture surface. It is characteristic of the tree that the texture and colour varies under different lighting conditions, so this is considered to be a perfectly normal phenomenon. This only confirms the high quality of the materials and cannot be the basis for a claim. Like other natural materials, wood is affected by excessively wet or dry weather. Even when coated with quality paint, the wood can swell or shrink. The kitchen should be located in a room with a moderate temperature and relative humidity.

Solid wood and MDF façades covered with natural wood veneer are susceptible to direct sunlight and direct exposure to light sources. Exposure to these rays can cause changes in colour saturation (a slight darkening of the varnish used for facade treatment or a lightening of the facade). The change in hue and colour intensity is most often observed in facades made of so-called “red” wood species. Facades made with root veneer from valuable tree species may age naturally and may develop ‘veins’. This is a normal reaction of the material.

The facades of kitchen furniture should be cleaned in the direction of the grain of the wood, as this is better for cleaning the facade without blocking the finest indentations in the solid wood structure.

For solid wood furniture, the only facade protection can be a special wax for this type of material and natural wood surface care products containing palm or paraffin oil.

Solid wood and veneer facades must not be washed with high volumes of water, as blistering may occur on the surface of the wood and the surface may peel away from the main part. Such surfaces can be cleaned with a cloth moistened with a neutral liquid soap solution and squeezed well. After wiping the surface with a damp cloth, it should be wiped dry immediately. Excess moisture entering the interior of the façade through the joints can cause micro-cracks. To avoid this, the façade needs to be drained. Grease and other very dirty stains must not be allowed to dry on the surface of the façade, as these areas can cause irremovable stains on the wood or wood veneer.

Natural wood surfaces need to be protected from impact, mechanical damage and sharp objects. Do not allow surfaces to rub against metal objects.

Wooden surfaces and façades with natural veneer inserts shall be protected against the ingress of any aggressive substances (thinners, petrol, acids, acetone, etc.) onto them.

2.2. Painted and varnished facades

The appearance of painted or varnished elements of kitchen furniture made of MDF may change over time due to the aggressive environment (high and low temperatures, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, exposure to steam, etc.) and the cleaning products and methods you use to maintain these surfaces.

Painted surfaces must be protected from any aggressive liquids (thinners, petrol, acids, acetone, etc.). Abrasives, detergents not intended for the maintenance of painted surfaces, strong thinners and acids, and hard sponges are not suitable for facade maintenance. Do not use detergents containing chlorine. Painted and varnished surfaces must be protected from impact and sharp objects, as even a slight impact with an object on a painted surface can leave indentations.

Clean the surface periodically with a soft cloth and be sure to use cleaning products specifically designed for the products. Wipes or cloths used for the maintenance of painted and varnished surfaces must not contain abrasive substances. Special polishing liquids can be used to maintain lacquered surfaces on furniture, which usually also clean the surface. Polishing liquids that are not intended to come into contact with foodstuffs must not be used for polishing kitchen furniture. Changing or adding furniture elements may result in a noticeable difference in colour, but this is not considered to be a sign of low-quality furniture.

3. Countertops and wall panels in LMDP

Countertops made of laminated MDP (particleboard) are the work surface in the kitchen. The material from which they are made is specifically designed for short-term contact with moisture. However, the joints of worktops are vulnerable to moisture. Damage to the protective waterproofing layer at the joints of the worktops and at the joints of the worktops with the sink and the cooker is strictly prohibited. In case of damage to the waterproofing layer, the joint must be treated with a silicone-based sealant.

Brief contact with splashes of boiling water or hot food will not damage the worktop itself, but may result in stains at the contact points. Areas where hot food has been splashed should be wiped immediately with a cloth moistened with a mild alkaline liquid (liquid soap, etc.). Do not place hot objects (teapots, pans, irons, etc.) on the worktops. Use special thermal insulation pads. Exposure to high temperatures may cause melting or deformation of the surface.

Frozen food must not be thawed on the worktop or very cold items kept on the surface for long periods. High temperature contrasts can lead to delamination of the surface.

Do not punch or cut products on the worktop surface or swipe a hard object across the worktop. Be sure to use special cutting tables for these purposes.

The sealant adhesive crystallises and hardens within a day after the worktop is installed, so the worktop must not be used during this period. This ensures a secure connection between the worktop and the sink.

Take precautions when using glossy worktops. Traces of use (for example, scratches caused by pushing dishes around) will be more noticeable than on matt surfaces. The bottom of earthenware and porcelain vessels is not usually polished. Pushing such a dish against the worktop can cause scratches and abrasions. Such scratches and abrasions do not prevent the countertop from being used for its intended purpose, but are unavoidable during the operation of the countertop and therefore cannot be the basis for a claim.

3.1. Stone worktops and wall panels

Stoneware worktops are resistant even to intense mechanical stress, to light and to household materials, including weak acids, as well as to short-term exposure to temperatures of up to +150°C.

Do not use sharp objects to make sudden impacts. This can scratch the surface of the worktop.

Do not place objects on the surface of the product that can heat the surface of the worktop to a temperature of more than +120°C.

It is not recommended to place dishes with damaged bottoms on the work surface, as this can damage the polishing.

It is recommended to clean stoneware with a soft sponge or cloth using household detergents. Do not use metal scrubbers or detergents with abrasive particles. This can damage the surface polish.

In case of slight polishing damage (fading), it is recommended to use a standard polishing agent.

In case of significant external damage such as deep scratches, dents and cracks, it is recommended that you contact the manufacturer’s specialists who will fully restore the external appearance without dismantling the product.

Stone products require minimal maintenance. If properly maintained, the stone mass will remain as beautiful after a long time as it was at the beginning of its life.

Acrylic stone is resistant to temperatures from -30°C to +120°C, short-term exposure to temperatures up to +200°C, and is non-flammable. However, hot dishes removed from cookers or ovens should be placed on heat-resistant trays. Sudden temperature differences are not allowed as, as with any solid material, the integrity of the material may be compromised (cracks may appear).

Prolonged exposure to aggressive chemicals is prohibited for stoneware products. If such substances, including solvents, metal cleaners, substances containing methylene chloride, acid cleaners, have got on the worktop or stoneware sink, rinse these areas immediately with plenty of water and soap.

It is forbidden to place the full weight of the body on stoneware products, as the design of the products is not designed for such loads.

When pouring hot water into stoneware sinks, the cold water tap must first be turned off.

Solid stone is an easily reproducible material because it is uniform in texture and colour throughout its thickness. Most damage, including that caused by severe impacts, high temperatures or exposure to chemicals, can usually be repaired on site, restoring the original smooth and hygienic solid surface.

4. Lifting and pushing mechanisms

The pull-out drawers of kitchen furniture shall be loaded evenly, ensuring a uniform load on the sliding parts (guides). It is recommended that the items on the shelves are arranged as follows: the heaviest items closer to the edge (drawer walls), lighter items closer to the centre.

The load limit of 5 kg for the bottom of extendable kitchen drawers made of MDP, 20 kg for metal drawers (metabox), 30 kg for drawers (tandembox) and 10 kg for shelves (cupboards, racks) shall not be exceeded. The total load of a single suspended cabinet shall not exceed 70 kg.

Do not close furniture doors and drawers with more than their installed pulling power (for mechanisms with pulls).

5. Glass products

It should be remembered that glass is a fragile material and that glass products can shatter from both dynamic (impact, dropping, etc.) and static (overloading of shelves, sudden changes in temperature) effects. Furniture doors with glass elements must be handled with care and glass shelves must not be overloaded. Glass surfaces should be protected from contact with hard, heavy objects.

Special products for cleaning glass elements must be used. Do not use products containing abrasive materials or sponges with a working surface made of metal chips or fibres. When cleaning glass shelves, it is recommended to remove them from the cabinets, as glass cleaner on the body or facade of the furniture can damage the surface.

6. Fittings

After a certain period of use, the mechanical elements of the furniture (hinges, guides, lifting mechanisms) must be lubricated and properly adjusted again. This is indicated by squeaks, doors that are difficult to open or drawers that pull out, etc. t. If you notice these changes in the operation of the mechanisms, you should not use very high forces to open or close the mechanisms. Timely adjustment of the hinges and lubrication of the guides are necessary to ensure that all the mechanisms work properly.

7. Warranty conditions

Furniture is excluded from the warranty in the following cases:

• If the furniture was independently transported.
• If the furniture was assembled by yourself and without any skill.
• If the furniture is not used for its intended purpose.
• Failure to comply with the conditions of use of the furniture.
• If you have independently modified the furniture.
• If the furniture has been repaired or dismantled, moved to another room and reassembled.
• Improper use of sliding and closing/opening mechanisms.
• If a foreign object has entered the sliding and closing/opening mechanisms.
• If the maximum permissible load for machinery and products has been exceeded, resulting in deformation of the machinery or the product’s façade and/or casing.
• The manufacturer shall not repair, at its own expense, facades, parts and mechanisms with visible mechanical damage occurring after the signing of the furniture acceptance certificate.
• The manufacturer shall not, at his own expense, repair facades, furniture mechanisms and accessories in the event of corrosion if they are not protected against corrosion. Note: Furniture mechanisms and accessories are protected against corrosion if specified in the specification.
• If the requirements and recommendations set out in this User and Furniture Care Guide are not followed.

ATTENTION!!! The manufacturer does not accept any claims for swelling of LMDP parts, as swelling is only caused by incorrect use of the furniture.

8. Procedure for lodging complaints about product quality
9. Cabinet furniture is guaranteed for up to 36 months from the date of manufacture.
10. Only written quality claims are accepted during the warranty period at our showrooms or office.
11. Claims for defects caused by the buyer’s failure to comply with the conditions set out in the instructions for use of the furniture will not be accepted.
12. The warranty does not cover consumables used to assemble the furniture.
13. Parts, products and mechanisms with technological defects that have been identified shall be reconditioned or replaced during the warranty period at the manufacturer’s expense.

The decision to replace the product or repair the defect at the manufacturer’s expense will be taken by the manufacturer’s expert panel, based on the opinion of our company’s specialists and a photograph of the defect taken by our company’s specialists.