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How to Take Care of Metal Furniture
By Kirkdale Studios
A Guide to Taking Care of Contract Metal Furniture
Metal furniture brings sleek sophistication, unparalleled resilience and versatile style to contract environments, making it a cornerstone of modern hospitality.
At Kirkdale Studios, we supply a broad range of contract metal furniture, each piece engineered for high-traffic durability and finished with a precision that balances industrial strength with refined aesthetic appeal.
Our team of contract furniture experts created this guide to show you how to care and maintain your contract metal furniture, prevent damage and improve the lifespan of your piece.
How to take care of metal furniture
This guide is designed to help you care for your contract metal furniture properly. It covers everyday maintenance, practical steps to prevent damage and simple ways to extend the lifespan of your furniture, ensuring it continues to perform well and look its best in demanding environments.
The below key graphically demonstrates the advised cleaning methods, along with the type of metals and finishes used in contact furniture.
Soft Cloth
Soapy Water
Sanding
Polish
Caring for Steel
What is Steel Used For?
Steel is commonly used for both indoor and outdoor furniture, most often for table bases. Steel can be bent, welded and spun into almost any form while maintaining its strength, making it perfect for contract furnitue. However steel needs to be finished with powdercoating, galvanisaiton or through other techniques to be properly protected. Powder coating is the most popular method to protect steel contract furniture as it can be used indoor and outdoor with an extensive range of colours and finishes. Despite its natural protection, steel requires regular maintenance and cleaning to prevent damage or rust.
How to Take Care of Indoor Steel Furniture:
You can use a soft cloth to wipe down surfaces for daily cleaning.
For best results, use a mild PH-neutral detergent to remove stubborn stains.
Avoid using any acidic or abrasive products, as they will damage the metal.
How to Take Care of Outdoor Steel Furniture:
You can use a soft cloth to wipe down surfaces for daily cleaning.
For best results, use a mild PH-neutral detergent to remove stubborn stains.
Avoid using any acidic or abrasive products, as they will damage the metal.
Care should be taken to avoid chipping or scratching the powder coat finish, especially when used outdoors as exposing the metal to water and air can cause rusting.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
When specifying exterior furniture, ensure that we the finish is suitable for its environment. Steel furniture used outdoors will need an initial zinc coating while furniture used in coastal or marine environments will need a specialised treatment.
Caring for Stainless Steel
What is Stainless Steel Used For?
Stainless steel is commonly used for both indoor and outdoor furniture, most often for table bases.
Its water resistant properties means that it is less likely to rust than other metal alloys. However, caring for stainless steel requires regular maintenance and cleaning to prevent stains and discolouration.
How to Take Care of Stainless Steel Furniture:
For daily cleaning, you can use a soft cloth to wipe down the surface.
For a deeper cleaning, use stainless steel cleaners or another gentle detergent.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
You can use stainless steel furniture outside only if specifically sold as an outdoor piece.
Caring for Aluminium
What is Aluminium Used For?
Aluminium is a lightweight alternative to steel furniture. Mostly used for exterior seating and table bases, it is easy to manouvre and can be powder-coated to any desired finish.
How to Take Care of Aluminium Furniture:
You can use a soft cloth to wipe down surfaces for daily cleaning.
For best results, use a mild PH-neutral detergent to remove stubborn stains.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Avoid using any acidic or abrasive products, as they can damage the metal surface.
Caring For Brass, Copper and Zinc
What are Brass, Copper and Zinc?
Brass, copper and zinc are metals with high shine surfaces which will tarnish with time and use.
When exposed to air, liquids and other materials a patina is formed, creating a unique aesthetic and pattern on the surface of the metal.
This property makes these metals a popular choice as the patina adds character to furniture pieces and the environment they sit in. Brass and copper will tarnish quicker when exposed to heat.
How to Take Care of Brass, Copper and Zinc Furniture:
Always use a soft cloth to wipe down surfaces.
Use warm water with a gentle soap.
Do not use any acidic or alkaline products which will damage the metal.
Avoid using polish if you want a patina to form.
If scratched, use a fine sandpaper and polish to smooth out the surface. We recommend contacting a metal worker to professionally carry out this service.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
The regular application of beeswax will slow down the patina formation.
Caring For Cast Iron
What is Cast Iron?
Cast iron is an excellent material for outdoor furniture as it’s very reliable against all weather conditions thanks to its weight and durability. Regular cleaning with soapy water will help prevent rust provided that the cast iron is rigorously dried after each wash.
Proper maintenance will ensure that your furniture remains in good quality for years, as cast iron will often outlive other exterior furniture made with different materials.
How to Take Care of Cast Iron Furniture:
Use warm soapy water.
To scrub surfaces properly you can use a dry brush.
Dry surfaces after cleaning to avoid rust.
Use fine sandpaper or a wire brush to remove rust.
To remove rust formation, you can use fine sandpaper.
Did you know that classic Parisian Bistro Tables have cast iron bases? Discover our full range.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
You can protect your cast iron furniture from exterior conditions by applying wax.
Caring For Finishes
What is Metal Finishing?
With “metal finishing” we refer to the processes or treatments applied to the surface of metals that affect its molecular structure.
Different finishes serve different purposes, such as increasing the metal durability. The most common finishes in metal furniture are:
Anodising: This process is often used for aluminium. It thickens the oxide layer on the metal surface, making it more resistant to corrosion and wear.
Electroplating: This is the technique used to obtain the Chrome finish. It can improve corrosion resistance, durability and it gives the metal a shiny look.
Galvanising: This treatment helps preventing metal rusting by applying a coat of zing to the metal surface. It’s usually used on iron and steel.
Powder Coating: This process allows to achieve many different finishes and provides a protective layer against corrosion, fading and scratching.
How to Take Care of Chrome Furniture:
For daily cleaning, you can use a soft cloth and warm soapy water.
In order to avoid rusting, dry the surface after cleaning.
Avoid using any abrasive products, as it can damage the metal.
Make regular checks for the formation of rust.
If you have a shiny finish, like Chrome, polish it regularly to preserve the shine.
Do you need a custom piece? Contact our team.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
You can clean stains and tarnishes from the Chrome surface by using diluted vinegar.
For Great Furniture That Lasts.
As suppliers of contract furniture, from concept to supply (and everything in between) we will be here to assist at every stage of your project. We recommend downloading and following this guide for information on the best ways to care for your contract furniture.
Our guide covers the most common materials used in contract furniture and it gives instruction and tips on cleaning and maintenance that will keep your furniture looking better for longer.
If you have any further questions on the care and maintenance of your furniture please contact a member of our team or at hello@kirkdalestudios.com