How to take care of your Artek furniture? Introducing the best tips for cleansing different surfaces

How to clean linen webbing? Can scratched linoleum be repaired? Design Stories picked the best tips from Artek's care instruction manual and put together a toolkit to help you take care of your precious Artek treasures.

An image of a vintage Artek chair and sidetable.
Artek's furniture is designed to be timeless both in quality and style. With proper care, your favorite pieces will last for decades. For vintage products, it is a good idea to create a care routine together with a professional.

ARTEK'S PRODUCTS are an iconic part of Finnish furniture design, and most of them have been in production for decades. The time-tested design has made Artek's furniture indisputable international classics that fit into a wide range of interiors and retain their timeless charm from one trend to another. The natural patina adds to the character, adding a unique touch to each piece of furniture.

With the right kind of care, it is possible to extend the life of the furniture considerably. These tips and tricks are put together to cherish the pieces in current production – contact Artek directly if you need help caring for a vintage Artek piece.

Image of Artek's Domus lounge chair by a fireplace.
Regular care keeps wooden furniture in good condition and beautiful from one generation to the next. The Domus lounge chair was designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1946.

1. Wooden surfaces – keep them dry

Wood is a living material, the natural look of which reflects its history: unique color variations, patterns, and details are part of its story. Furniture made of wood is often treated with varnish, paint, or stained – depending on the intended use of the product and the desired look.

Furniture made of wood should be regularly wiped clean with a soft cloth dipped in a neutral water-detergent solution, after which the surface needs to be dried completely. 

Stains and especially spilled liquids should be removed immediately, as the porous wood easily absorbs both the ring left behind by a coffee cup and the loose color from a pair of brand new jeans. The wood should also be well protected from heat and fluctuations in humidity.

An image of a tabletop on which Artek's Riihitie pot is placed.
The joint between the wooden edges and the laminate should be cleaned and dried particularly well so that it does not collect moisture and dirt.

2. Laminate – tough enough for solvents

The high-quality laminate used in Artek furniture is made of resin-coated paper layers, which are pressed into a wear-resistant sheet under high pressure. The easy-care laminate remains beautiful even in heavy use, and it also tolerates stain removal well.

Wiping with a damp cloth keeps the laminate clean in everyday life, and non-abrasive all-purpose cleaners can also be used if necessary. Do not place hot pots and unglazed cookware directly on the table, as they will damage the surface. 

In addition to the most common all-purpose cleaners, stains can be removed with window cleaner, and with a little help from acetone, even nail polish or shoe polish can be lifted from the surface – however, remember to be careful and work around the wooden edges when using a solvent.

An image of Artek's Kaari wall shelf with desk.
Leave the scrubber in the cleaning cabinet as abrasive tools and detergents are not suitable for cleaning linoleum. The Kaari wall shelf features a linoleum desk.

3. Linoleum – tend to scratches with linen oil

The porous surface of linoleum, made from natural raw materials such as linseed oil, wood flour, cork flour, and limestone flour, is finished in Artek's current production with a plastic coating. The anti-stain coating helps keep linoleum surfaces fresh and evenly toned, but regular care goes even further.

Scratched linoleum surfaces can be revived by applying linseed oil with very fine steel wool – you can also gently rub walnuts on small scratches and bumps!

Avoid moisture and especially staining liquids such as coffee and wipe off any stains as soon as possible: if necessary, use a neutral, undiluted washing liquid. Heavier stains are best removed with mineral turpentine, after which the surface should be wiped with a damp cloth and then dried. For extra TLC – tender linoleum care – treat a worn surface with soapy wax.

A closeup image of Artek's Domus chair upholstered in leather.
Much like our skin, leather needs regular cleansing and moisturizing too. Leather upholstered products need to be cleaned as gently as possible: regular vacuuming and wiping off dust with a damp cleaning cloth is often enough for basic maintenance.

4. Leather – cleanse and moisturize

Leather upholstery often features a protective surface treatment that helps the leather repel water, dirt, and grease. Natural irregularities and shade variations, as well as the patina that appears with use, are part of the character of high-quality leather – even small stains and flaws add to its story and emphasize the authenticity of the material. However, the careful maintenance of leather surfaces should not be neglected, as leather is thirsty for attention.

Choose cleansers and conditioners designed especially for leather, or prepare a pampering treatment yourself: whip up a foam using Marseille soap flakes and clean water and use it to remove stains, dirt, and grease – but do avoid rubbing. Leather upholstered products should also be protected from the scorching sun as well as other heat sources.

An image of Artek's 401 lounge chair and Ovalette table
Textile surfaces enjoy regular cleaning, as stubborn dust and loose dirt weaken fabric bonds. The 401 armchair was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933.

5. Fabrics – dust them regularly

Upholstery fabrics are designed to add comfort and coziness to the interior, but also to withstand use. With the right kind of care, textile upholstered products will stay in good condition from one decade to the next.

Artek's furniture uses a wide range of fabrics from different manufacturers, so it is always worthwhile to get to know the instructions for use and care.

Airing and gentle vacuuming with a textile nozzle are the best basic care for all upholstery fabrics – keep in mind, however, that using a carpet beater can easily damage more delicate fabrics. Stains should be removed fresh and if necessary, a cleaning agent suitable for the fabric should be used: always test the cleaning agent on a hidden spot before applying more generously.

Image of Artek's Aalto 406 armchair placed in a living room.
Artek's Aalto 406 armchair features a linen webbed seat that is available in multiple colors.

6. Linen webbing – vacuum gently and wipe clean

Linen webbing gives many of Artek's products their distinctive look. The natural material is both beautiful and durable, and the webbing can also be replaced if necessary. Light vacuuming using a textile nozzle and wiping regularly with a damp cloth keeps the webbing looking tidy. If necessary, the webbing can also be cleaned with a neutral detergent – do make sure to allow the fabric to dry completely before using.

See also:

All products by Artek >
How a December chair by Nikari became as good as new – carpenter Iivari Viilomaa’s tips for refurbishing a wooden chair and its leather upholstery
 >

Text: Mira Ahola and Artek Images: Timo Pyykkö and Artek

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