Care and Maintenance

General Product Care

BRADLEY furnishings are hand-crafted in the USA by our talented artisans to create one-of-a-kind works of art for your home or office. Our Signature finishes are hand applied using the finest materials and require little maintenance to preserve their beauty for many years of enjoyment. However, just like any piece of fine furniture, the delicate finish should be maintained and cleaned as one would care for a heirloom antique or art object.

Depending on the particular BRADLEY product, some materials and decorative finishes are more robust than others, but in general do not require any special maintenance other than light dusting or occasional wiping with a soft cloth dampened with clean water. Below are specific instructions for cleaning the various types of products and finishes we offer.

Iron Products

Standard Iron Finishes / Brushed Iron / Powder Coats:

These finishes should be periodically dusted with a feather duster or a synthetic electrostatic duster (eg. swiffer duster) or wiped with a soft clean cloth (eg. cotton jersey or microfiber.) If heavy soils or stubborn dried stains remain, then clean water or a mild household cleaner (containing no abrasives, chlorines/bleach, or ammoniums) may be used. A commercially available all purpose / all surface cleaner such as Pledge Multi Surface Everyday Cleaner is appropriate.

If using a commercial cleaning product, always first test the compatibility of the cleaner with the painted finish in an inconspicuous area of the product. Use a soft clean cloth and apply a small amount of the diluted cleaner directly to the cloth and then gently wipe the iron finish surface; then remove any cleaner residue with a clean cloth dampened with water; then wipe dry. Inspect the treated area and the cleaning cloth; If you are satisfied that the finish is not visibly altered or transferred to the cloth, then you can continue with cleaning the rest of the product as needed. Clean any soils or stains using a gentle wiping motion. Complete the cleaning process by removing any cleaner residue with a clean cloth dampened with tepid water; then dry with a clean cloth.

BRADLEY Brushed Iron Finish is a ferrous-iron steel with a clear lacquer coating. With time, the surface of the iron may develop a reddish-brown patina or spotting. This is normal and intrinsic to the industrial look of the finish. Exposure to high humidity, liquids or abrasion / wearing of the clear sealer will accelerate the oxidation of the steel. This staining will not damage the integrity of the structure, but only cause a cosmetic change to the appearance. If water or liquids are used to clean the surface of the iron product, immediately dry the surface with a soft, clean cloth. Do not let air dry.

Signature Artisan and Premium Finishes:

Aged Pewter | Rubbed Bronze | Authentic Bronze | Chocolate | Antiqued Gold

Our Signature Artisan and Premium finishes are more delicate and have a hand-applied water soluble paint over a durable base coat. These finishes require special care and instructions when attempting to clean them. The water soluble top coat is protected with a hand-applied layer of clear wax to preserve the finish. The wax acts as a sacrificial layer for the delicate decorative finish, and once it is removed, the finish is susceptible to permanent damage.

For general periodic cleaning, use the light dry dusting method mentioned in the standard iron finish instructions above. For dried stains, use a clean cloth such as cotton jersey lightly dampened with cool water (never hot water) to gently wipe the surface of the soil or stain. If this method alters the finish – then stop. If these methods do not remove a difficult stain from your iron finish, professional cleaning and refinishing may be required. Consult BRADLEY or your local professional furniture refinisher for advice.

Wood Products

BRADLEY wood furnishings are hand crafted from the finest selection of solid wood species, reclaimed oak beams, natural edge wood slabs and exotic veneers available. For case pieces, tables, shelving, and chair frames the wood surface may be finished with one of the many BRADLEY Signature natural stains or opaque paint coatings and top coated with a protective lacquer to preserve the natural beauty of the finish for years of use.

General Care and Maintenance

Keep wood furniture out of direct sunlight to avoid radiant heat and UV exposure that could alter or damage the finish. Store all wood furniture in a mild, climate controlled environment and away from direct heating and cooling sources (eg. fireplaces, stoves, AC units). Exposure to large or rapid temperature changes could cause expansion and contraction of the wood frame and possibly damage the product or its finish. Protect the wood surfaces from liquids, moisture, humidity and damaging objects. Use coasters or moisture resistant table pads when placing drink glasses, vases or other containers directly on surface of the finish. Use felt pads for accessories and objects that sit on horizontal surfaces. Blot up any spills immediately.

The recommended general care and cleaning for wood products is to periodically dust the surfaces using a high quality duster or soft, dry clean cloth. For soils and stains, tepid water or a mild cleaner designated for fine wood furniture may be used. Follow the same care and cleaning instruction listed in the standard iron finishes section above. Always test an inconspicuous area of the piece to ensure your cleaner is compatible with the finish. Immediately dry any moisture left from the cleaning process. Do not let air dry.

To repair damaged or worn wood surfaces, consult BRADLEY or your local professional furniture refinisher for advice.

Concrete Products

Table Tops | Counter Tops | Sinks | Benches | Tiles

BRADLEY Concrete is an extremely durable material, and with proper care, your concrete product will last a lifetime. Similar to natural stone products, slight variations in color, texture and porosity may occur and are considered inherent and valued qualities of concrete. Hairline cracks, mottling and slight irregularities may occur, but will not affect the integrity of the product and are not considered a manufacturing defect.

Your BRADLEY concrete product is colored throughout the entire slab, with pigments that are homogonously mixed within the cement and then honed and polished to a perfect luster. The exposed surfaces have been coated with a proprietary food-safe polymer sealer that protects the porous concrete material and creates a hard hydrophobic layer that limits staining and scratching of the surface layer.

General Care and Maintenance

Clean your concrete product as you would an exotic natural stone surface such as marble or onyx. For general clean up, use warm water and soft jersey or microfiber cloth to clean the surface. For stubborn surface soils or stains, use a mild household cleaner or liquid soap (containing no abrasives, chlorines/bleach, or ammoniums). A commercially available all-purpose / all-surface cleaner such as Pledge Multi Surface Everyday Cleaner is appropriate. If products containing antibacterial or disinfectant agents are used, always test an inconspicuous area of the piece to ensure your cleaner is compatible with the finish. Always remove cleaning agent residue with a clean water rinse immediately; then dry. Do not allow large standing water drops to air dry, or water spotting may occur.

Most general food spills will not stain the concrete as long as the protective sealer coating is maintained. However, foods and liquids containing dark tannins (red wine, juice, berries), mustards and oils can actually permanently stain the sealer and or concrete. All spills should be cleaned immediately. Since concrete is a porous material, water ‘spotting’ may occur, but generally disappears after it has time to evaporate. While intense heat will not harm the concrete itself, setting a hot object directly on the surface may weaken or discolor the sealer, thus exposing the raw concrete to future staining and fading. Always use trivets under hot pots and pans. While the concrete is suitable for everyday use and food preparation, cutting and other abrasive activities should not be performed directly on the surface of the concrete finish. To prevent scratching of the surface or wear of the sealer coat, use cutting boards, and felt or rubber pads on the bottom of all heavy or rough objects that remain on the surface for a long duration (i.e. small appliances). Unglazed ceramics, like terra cotta pots, compete for residual moisture in the countertop and may cause permanent discoloration.

Keep concrete out of direct sunlight to avoid UV exposure which can discolor the sealer or fade the concrete finish.If a concrete product is used for an outdoor application (i.e porch or patio) it should be protected with a suitable cover when not in use. Exposure to rain, pollution, sunlight and temperature extremes will accelerate the wearing of the protective sealer and cause the appearance of the concrete surface to weather and will void any remaining warranty.

Maintaining Shine / Luster

With everyday use and exposure to UV light, the sealer may begin to dull or wear over time, exposing the raw concrete surface. For general maintenance or to restore luster for non-food prep surfaces, you may use a commercially available household furniture polish such as Pledge Furniture Polish for Wood. Apply to all visible surfaces of the concrete as directed by the manufacture using a soft clean cloth.

Certain waxes intended for stone surface protection may be applied to maintain your concrete as well. Waxes can act as a sacrificial wear layer for the sealer coat. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. Be sure to test for compatibility in a small area to ensure desired results.

For a severely worn sealer coat, reapplying a professional grade concrete sealer requires power tools to prepare the surface and professional spraying equipment to apply an even coat. This job is not recommended for a novice or homeowner. Attempting to modify or reapply sealer to a BRADLEY concrete product will void any warranty remaining on the product. Please consult BRADLEY or your local professional concrete furniture refinisher for advice before attempting any refinishing.

Natural Stone Products

Table Tops | Counter Tops | Lamp Shades | Onyx | Marble | Petrified Wood BRADLEY stone products are natural materials that have been harvested from the earth and carefully crafted into beautiful accents for our furnishings. Stone materials like onyx, marble, granite, selenite, petrified wood and quartz have variations in color, texture and porosity and this is considered normal. Hairline cracks, mottling, staining and slight irregularities may be present or occur with time, but will not affect the integrity of the product and are not considered a manufacturing defect.

General Care and Maintenance

For general clean up, use warm water and soft jersey or microfiber cloth to clean the surface. For stubborn surface soils or stains, use a mild household cleaner or ph neutral product (containing no abrasives, chlorines/bleach, or ammoniums). A commercially available all-purpose / all-surface cleaner such as Pledge Multi Surface Everyday Cleaner is appropriate.

If products containing antibacterial or disinfectant agents are used, always test an inconspicuous area of the piece to ensure your cleaner is compatible with the finish. Always remove cleaning agent residue with a clean water rinse immediately; then dry. Do not allow large standing water drops to air dry, or temporary water spotting may occur. Stone products such as table tops or countertops can be maintained with a high quality stone sealer if desired.

CAUTION: Never use hot water or caustic chemicals containing chlorine, solvents, ammonium, vinegar or adhesive removers to clean your BRADLEY product. Do not use abrasive cleaning products like Scotch-Brite pads, stiff bristle brushes, steel wool or scrapers to clean the finish of your concrete product.

Steel Wrapped Table Top Products

BRADLEY steel wrapped tops are made from ferrous steel and may develop a beautiful reddish-brown patina with time. To slow the oxidation process, the steel can be coated with a protective clear lacquer coating. The coating forms a durable top coat that helps resist and slow down UV damage, humidity, abrasion, and oxidation. The coating is odorless, contains no VOCs, and is non-hazardous to humans. With normal daily use, and exposure to UV light, liquids or abrasion may cause the sealer to wear which may accelerate the oxidation of the steel. Any visible staining will not damage the integrity of the steel top, and only cause a slight cosmetic change to its appearance. This is normal and intrinsic to the industrial look intended for this product.

Cleaning Instructions

This steel top product should be periodically dusted with a feather duster or a synthetic electrostatic duster (eg. Swiffer duster) or wiped with a soft clean cloth (eg. cotton jersey or microfiber.) If heavy soils or stubborn dried stains remain, then clean with water or a mild household cleaner (containing no abrasives, chlorines/bleach, or ammoniums) commercially available all purpose / all surface cleaner such as Pledge Multi Surface Everyday Cleaner is appropriate.

If using an unlisted commercial cleaning product, always first test the compatibility of the cleaner with the finish in an inconspicuous area of the product. Use a soft clean cloth and apply a small amount of the diluted cleaner directly to the cloth and then wipe the surface; then remove any cleaner residue with a clean cloth dampened with water; then wipe dry. Inspect the treated area and the cleaning cloth; If you are satisfied that the finish is not visibly altered or transferred to the cloth, then continue cleaning the rest of the product as needed. Clean any soils or stains using a gentle wiping motion. Complete the cleaning process by removing any cleaner residue with a clean cloth dampened with tepid water; then dry with a clean cloth.

CAUTION: Never use hot water or caustic chemicals containing chlorine, ammonium, solvents, or adhesive removers to clean your BRADLEY product. Do not use abrasive cleaning products like Scotch-Brite pads, stiff bristle brushes, steel wool or scrapers to clean the finish of your iron product. Vigorous or aggressive circular or back and forth wiping motion with an abrasive cleaner or cloth may leave fine scratch marks in the coating.

No BRADLEY products or finishes are intended to be used outdoors. Outdoor use voids any warranty.