Furnishings come in so many sizes and finishes. They
are easily maintained with the appropriate cleaners that
leave no residues. Don't forget nooks and crannies.
The variety of finishes on the various furnishings that
adorn a commercial facility is overwhelming. The architects
and designers use wood from forests all over the world, different
stone accents that are quarried and highly polished or left
in an unpolished state, laminates and metals.
The woods, whether furnishings or millwork, are in a class
by themselves and require nourishing, if an open-pore wood,
in addition to cleaning and hand-rubbing, to reestablish
the original patina.
It is essential that cleaning be performed with a product
that does not leave a residue, and that will, in fact, remove
any residues from well-meaning "polishings" with
some of the over-the-counter products that leave a heavy
buildup of unsightly wax. The original finishes may dictate
the kind of products to be used and, in many cases, require
the expert skills of a finisher in order to guarantee successful
results.
Stone finishes are easier to care for, if polished, than
when they are in a "natural" state. Polishing
hardens the surface and the stone therefore resists staining
and discoloring. The "natural" or unpolished finishes
are extremely absorbent and require great care when being
used. Unfortunately, the durability of stone has prompted
its use in credenzas and conference tables where foods are
served and subsequently spilled. The stone absorbs the oils
and colors from these foods and at times are permanently
affected. Waxes and oils cannot be successfully applied
to any stone finish.
Laminates are durable and, unless chipped, require fewer
hours of care while they last longer than virtually any
other finish. Keeping laminates clean, whether in kitchen
areas or copier areas, can be accomplished with the use
of specialized products that will polish the laminate, leaving
a hard surface that retards soiling. These formulae clean
deeper than over-the-counter cleaners which fail to attack
the deep grime and leave the laminate with open pores, which
readily resoil.
Metal accents in the high image areas brighten up the scene...but
only if they are kept bright. It is customary to have a
protective sealant applied to metals after installation
to help avoid tarnishing. If not sealed, it is imperative
to establish a regularly scheduled program to prevent erosion.
Since the sealants wear off in time, a program of refinishing
metals whether brass, chrome or stainless steel can bring
the beauty of these finishes back to life and protect them
for a longer span of time than simple polishing, above,
will accomplish.
