Good pieces last if you treat them well. Here is how to look after everything we sell, material by material.
Wood
Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry straight away. Never soak wooden boards or leave them in standing water. Oil chopping boards and serving boards every few weeks with food safe oil to stop them drying out and splitting. Keep wooden pieces out of direct sun and away from radiators.
Stoneware and ceramics
Wash by hand with warm soapy water where you can. Glazed pieces are hard wearing but sudden temperature changes crack them, so do not take a cold piece straight into a hot oven. Small variations in glaze colour and thickness are part of how these are made.
Metal
Dust with a dry cloth. For fingerprints, use a barely damp cloth and buff dry. Avoid abrasive cleaners, which scratch brushed finishes. Keep untreated metal away from persistent damp so it does not spot.
Textiles: cushions, throws and rugs
Shake out and air regularly. Vacuum rugs on a low setting. Spot clean spills straight away by blotting, not rubbing. Check the care label before washing, and never wring natural fibres.
Glass and mirrors
Clean with a soft cloth and a little glass cleaner sprayed onto the cloth rather than onto the glass, so nothing seeps behind the frame.
Candles
Trim the wick to about 5mm before every burn. Let the wax melt to the edge on the first burn so it does not tunnel. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep it away from anything that can catch.
Outdoor pieces
Bring cushions and lanterns inside over winter or store them somewhere dry. Rinse planters before storing. Some outdoor materials are designed to weather and change colour over time, which is normal.
Anything else
If you are not sure how to look after something, email velorahomestoreinfo@gmail.com and ask. We would rather answer than have you guess.