Furniture care guide: clean each material with the gentlest method that suits its surface, using a dry or barely damp cloth for leather, wipe-clean care for PU and ABS, and careful dust removal for mesh, veneer, chrome and lighting. The key is to match the cleaner to the material, avoid abrasive or solvent products, and stop moisture from sitting in seams, joints or electrical parts.
On this page
- Furniture care guide: how do you clean each material safely?
- What are the step-by-step cleaning methods for the main materials?
- Which material should you choose if easy cleaning matters most?
- What are the decisive care criteria before you buy?
- What does it cost, and what does delivery involve?
- What cleaning mistakes damage furniture fastest?
- Frequently asked questions
This page brings the main steps together in one place, then points you to the more detailed care pages where they already exist. It also shows where each material appears across the shop, from Eames Lounge Chairs and Eames Office Chairs to Dining Chairs, Le Corbusier, Designer Lighting and Accessories.
Furniture care guide: how do you clean each material safely?
Clean furniture safely by identifying the exact surface first, then using the mildest routine that removes dust and marks without soaking, scratching or stripping the finish. Most damage comes from using the wrong cleaner, too much water, or rough cloths on delicate finishes.
| Material | Where it is used in the shop | Routine care | Never use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% aniline leather | Leather lounge chair and ottoman ranges, including tall versions and chair-only or ottoman-only pieces | Dust with a soft dry cloth; wipe with a dry or barely damp cloth; keep out of direct sun, especially white leather | Abrasive cleaners, solvent cleaners, soaking the leather, prolonged direct sun |
| Genuine leather with matching leather elsewhere | Leather office chairs including EA117, EA119, EA217, EA219 and ES104 lobby chair | Wipe gently with a dry or barely damp cloth; keep moisture light around stitching and edges | Abrasives, solvents, heavy wet cleaning |
| Top-grain leather cushions | Cube armchair with chrome frame in the Le Corbusier collection | Dust first, then wipe gently with a soft dry or barely damp cloth | Harsh sprays, rough pads, soaking seams |
| PU leather | Padded dining chair sets and the D266 low-back plywood swivel chair | Wipe clean with a soft cloth; remove spills promptly | Solvents, scouring creams, abrasive pads |
| ABS shell | Moulded-shell dining chairs and dining armchairs | Wipe clean with a soft cloth; the shells have a fade-resistant UV coating | Abrasive pads, harsh solvents |
| Mesh | Mesh office chairs including EA117 mesh, EA119 mesh and D200, D211, D222 | Vacuum gently with a brush attachment and wipe the frame carefully | Soaking the mesh, aggressive scrubbing |
| Wood veneer and moulded plywood | Lounge chair shells, ottomans, plywood lounge chairs and selected chair backs | Dust with a soft cloth and wipe lightly with a barely damp cloth, then dry | Standing water, abrasive polishes, very wet cleaning |
| Chrome or polished/chromed aluminium | Chair frames, five-star office bases, chrome-plated steel spines and lounge-chair frames depending on model | Buff with a soft dry cloth; wipe marks with a lightly damp cloth and dry straight away | Wire wool, abrasive paste, chlorine-based products |
| Acrylic, aluminium and painted metal lighting surfaces | Pendants and lighting shades | Dust gently when the fitting is off and cool; wipe carefully with a soft cloth | Wet cleaning on live fittings, abrasive cloths, strong solvents |
For design background on furniture materials and forms, the V&A furniture collection is useful as a general reference.
What are the step-by-step cleaning methods for the main materials?
The simplest step-by-step method is to remove loose dust first, test moisture sparingly, clean from top to bottom, and dry the surface immediately. Material-specific details matter most on leather, mesh, veneer and plated metal.
1) Aniline leather lounge chairs and ottomans. Start by dusting with a soft dry cloth, paying attention to piping, button lines and the junction between cushions and shell. Then wipe with a dry or barely damp cloth only. Do not use abrasive or solvent cleaners, and keep the chair out of direct sun, especially white leather.
This applies across the leather lounge range. The standard leather lounge chair with ottoman is €799–€999 across 26 listings, measures 87 × 85 × 84 cm, has a seat height of 42 cm, an ottoman of 64 × 54 × 44 cm, ships in two cartons and uses 100% aniline leather on every part. For model-specific reading, see how to clean and care for a leather lounge chair and this separate page on lounge chair maintenance.
Examples include:
- Tall Version Eames Lounge Chair And Ottoman Replica – White – Rose Wood at €949, 84 x 85 x 89 cm (W x L x H)
- Tall Version Eames Lounge Chair And Ottoman Replica – Black – Walnut Wood at €979, 84 x 85 x 89 cm (W x L x H)
- Tall Version Eames Lounge Chair And Ottoman Replica – Waxy Brown – Walnut Wood at €1199, 84 x 85 x 89 cm (W x L x H)
- Tall Version Eames Lounge Chair And Ottoman Replica – Ivory – Walnut Wood at €1049, 84 x 85 x 89 cm (W x L x H)
- Tall Version Eames Lounge Chair And Ottoman Replica – White – Walnut Wood at €949, 84 x 85 x 89 cm (W x L x H)
2) Leather office chairs. Dust the seat, front of the backrest, arm edges and base first. Then wipe the leather parts with a soft dry or barely damp cloth. Do not write off the back or underside as the same material in every case: these chairs use genuine leather on the seat and the front of the backrest, with colour-matched matching leather on the underside and outer back.
3) PU leather chairs. Wipe spills quickly with a soft cloth. Then wipe the surface clean with light pressure and dry it. This applies to pieces such as the Set of Four Eames DSW Chairs Replica PU Leather Black at €150, 47 x 53 x 83 cm (W x L x H), and the Set of Two Eames DSW Chairs Replica PU Leather Black at €90, 47 x 53 x 83 cm (W x L x H).
4) ABS dining-chair shells. Dust crumbs and grit away first so they do not mark the shell when wiped. Then use a soft cloth to wipe the shell clean and dry it. The moulded dining-chair shells have a fade-resistant UV coating and wipe clean. If you are assembling newly delivered chairs before cleaning them, see this step-by-step assembly guide for a similar boxed-furniture process.
5) Mesh office chairs. Remove surface dust with a vacuum brush attachment on a gentle setting, then wipe solid frame parts carefully with a lightly damp cloth and dry them. Keep water out of mechanisms and do not saturate the mesh. For the detailed method, use How to Clean Mesh Office Chair Fabric Step by Step.
6) Wood veneer and moulded plywood. Dust with a soft cloth, wipe lightly with a barely damp cloth, and dry at once. Avoid standing water on edges or around fixing points. For shell and veneer surfaces, the best next read is Walnut Veneer Furniture: Look, Care and Solid Wood and How to Choose Rosewood Furniture for Your Home.
7) Chrome and polished aluminium. Dust first, then wipe with a lightly damp soft cloth and dry immediately to reduce marks. This matters on office-chair five-star bases, chrome-plated spines and polished frames. For the full process, read How to Clean Chrome on Chairs and Furniture.
8) Lighting. Switch the fitting off, let it cool, and dust the shade gently. Wipe acrylic or metal parts carefully with a soft cloth, avoiding electrical components. Ceiling lighting should be connected by a qualified electrician. This applies to pieces such as the transparent sphere pendant at €289, Ø 50 cm and about 20 cm high, the leaf pendant at €479, Ø 48 cm and about 49.7 cm high, and the black spun pendant set of three at €190.
Which material should you choose if easy cleaning matters most?
If easy cleaning matters most, the simplest day-to-day surfaces are PU leather, ABS shells and smooth metal frames, while aniline leather and veneer need a gentler routine and more attention to light, moisture and product choice. Mesh is practical too, but it benefits from regular dust removal.
For dining spaces, wipe-clean shell and PU-seat options are the most straightforward. The moulded-shell dining chair with wooden legs is sold in sets, including set of four white €199 and set of two black €109, with overall dimensions of 47 × 53 × 83 cm and a seat height of 44 cm. Each shell fixes to its beech legs with four screws and an Allen key is included.
For living rooms, leather lounge models need gentler care but are simple when you follow the dry-cloth rule. The lounge chair only range is €549–€569 across 4 listings, 87 × 85 × 84 cm, seat height 42 cm, with 100% aniline leather on every part.
One example is the Eames Style Lounge Chair Only Rose Wood Normal Base –Tan Brown at €549, 87 x 85 x 84 cm (W x L x H). The matching ottoman sold alone is the Classic Charles Eames Lounge Ottoman Replica Black Leather Rose Wood at €275, 64 x 54 x 44 cm (W x L x H).
For office use, choose by upholstery as much as by shape. Mesh models suit regular dusting and vacuuming, while leather office chairs need gentle wipe-clean care on the contact surfaces. If you want a category overview before choosing, browse office chairs, rocking chairs and special offers.
What are the decisive care criteria before you buy?
The decisive care criteria are upholstery type, finish sensitivity, exposure to sunlight, how often the piece is touched, and whether the item has seams, castors, joints or electrical parts that should not be soaked. A quick care check before buying helps you choose the right surface for the room.
Sunlight: white and light leather need the most caution, because the shop specifically says to keep leather out of direct sun, especially white leather.
Contact areas: dining chairs and office chairs are wiped more often than occasional chairs, so a shell, PU or mesh surface may be the lower-maintenance option for busy rooms.
Mixed materials: many pieces combine leather, veneer and metal. Clean each part as its own surface rather than using one product over the entire chair.
Assembly points: dining chairs need minor assembly, typically four screws per chair with the Allen key supplied and instructions in the box. Clean after assembly so moisture does not sit in open fixing points.
What does it cost, and what does delivery involve?
Prices depend on category and material, and delivery is free to the 25 countries available at checkout, with no minimum order value. Orders are dispatched within 1–2 working days of confirmation, sent by fully tracked DPD, and typically arrive within 6–9 working days door to door.
| Category | Models | Price range | Example size | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designer Lighting | 4 models | €190–€479 | 50x50x20 cm | Designer Lighting |
| Le Corbusier | 8 models | €639–€849 | 56x160x69 cm | Le Corbusier |
| Dining Chairs | 17 models | €90–€249 | 47x53x83 cm | Dining Chairs |
| Eames Lounge Chairs | 39 models | €275–€1199 | 84x85x89 cm | Eames Lounge Chairs |
| Eames Office Chairs | 38 models | €179–€409 | 59x61x90 cm | Eames Office Chairs |
| Rocking Chairs | 3 models | €149–€149 | 63x81x76 cm | Rocking Chairs |
| Accessories | 6 models | €139–€479 | 50x50x20 cm | Accessories |
| Special Offers | 13 models | €90–€849 | 72x70x91 cm | Special Offers |
The 25 checkout countries are Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The price shown is the price paid, with no extra charge added at checkout and no customs or handling charge collected on delivery in these countries.
Most single-product orders ship in one package. Larger items may arrive in several boxes: a lounge chair and ottoman set typically ships in two packages. Multi-item orders may be split across deliveries but are dispatched together. Tracking details are emailed when the order is dispatched. Weekend delivery is not part of the standard service.
What cleaning mistakes damage furniture fastest?
The fastest way to damage furniture is to use a harsh cleaner on the wrong surface, scrub too hard, leave water sitting in seams or joints, or place sensitive finishes in direct sun. Most furniture lasts better with light, regular cleaning than with occasional deep cleaning.
Mistake 1: treating all leather the same as a sealed synthetic surface. Aniline leather should be wiped with a dry or barely damp cloth only.
Mistake 2: soaking mesh, plywood edges or stitched seams. Moisture should stay light and controlled.
Mistake 3: using abrasive pads on ABS, PU, chrome or acrylic. These can dull or mark the finish.
Mistake 4: spraying cleaner directly onto the furniture. Put a small amount on the cloth instead, where suitable.
Mistake 5: discarding packaging too early. Keep the original packaging during the 14-day return window because returns must be repacked in it.
All our care guides
- How Often to Use Leather Conditioner on a Chair
- How to Fix Scratches on Leather Chairs
- How to Clean White Leather Chairs Safely at Home
- Aniline Leather: What It Is and How to Care for It
- How to Clean Chrome on Chairs and Furniture
- How to Clean Mesh Office Chair Fabric Step by Step
- Walnut Veneer Furniture: Look, Care and Solid Wood
- How to Choose Rosewood Furniture for Your Home
- How to Clean Faux Leather Chairs Without Damage
- Bonded Leather vs Genuine Leather: Key Differences
- How to Clean Leather Sofa Seats: Easy Home Care Tips
- How to Remove Stains From Leather: Simple, Safe Steps
- Plywood Furniture: How It Is Made and How to Care for It
- How to Clean Aluminium Chair Bases and Frames
- How to Clean a Lampshade: Acrylic, Metal and Painted
- PU Leather: How It Wears, How to Clean It, What to Expect
- Types of Leather: Aniline, Top Grain, Bonded and PU
Frequently asked questions
Can I use one universal furniture cleaner on everything?
No. Leather, PU, mesh, ABS, veneer, chrome and lighting finishes should not all be cleaned with the same product. The safe approach is to identify the material first and use the mildest suitable method for that surface.
What if my order arrives damaged or faulty?
Report it within 14 days with a few photos by email to support@decomica.com. DPD collects faulty, damaged in transit or wrong items from your door free of charge, and the shop sends a replacement or a full refund.
Can I return a chair if I change my mind?
Yes. You have 14 days from delivery to request a return, the item must be unused and in its original packaging, and nothing may be sent back without return authorisation from support@decomica.com. For a change of mind, the refund is made minus a €40 return fee that covers the DPD collection.
Is there a warranty on every piece?
Yes. Every piece has a 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects. To claim, email support@decomica.com with your order number, a short description and photos; the shop arranges a repair, replacement or refund as appropriate.
Decomica sells reproductions inspired by mid-century designs, identified as such on every product page; they are not made, licensed or endorsed by the original manufacturers or licence holders. The D-series office chairs are Decomica’s own designs.
Last checked: 24 October 2026
Decomica Editorial
