Good leather only gets better with age, if you give it a little attention along the way. A quick wipe here, a condition there, and your leather stays soft, supple, and lovely to sink into for years rather than months. Here’s how to care for yours.

Tips from us:

• Wipe your leather over regularly with a soft, damp cloth; it takes a minute and makes all the difference.
• Dust and vacuum regularly, getting into the gaps between cushions where grit likes to gather. Left there, it can scratch the surface over time.
• Condition roughly every 6–12 months for protected leather, more often (every 3–6 months) with a proper leather conditioner, or as your care tag advises, paying extra attention to the spots that meet bare skin, hair and clothing.
• Keep leather out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, both of which dry it out and cause damage over time.
• Skip the household cleaners; they can ruin the finish. Stick to genuine leather care products made for the job.
• For spills, act straight away. Gently blot (don’t rub) with a clean, dry, absorbent cloth. If a stain sets in, call in a professional upholstery cleaner.
• Keep sharp or abrasive objects well clear of the leather; pets and their claws included!
• A quick heads-up: Leather can be damaged by a number of everyday chemicals and fluids, some of which never touch it directly and aren’t always obvious. Common culprits include hair and skin oils, hair products, sunscreen, insect repellent and perfume.
• Most of this shows up in predictable spots, so head it off by cleaning and conditioning regularly, and draping a throw over the areas that cop the most contact; armrests, headrests, and seat cushions.

Outdoor furniture has it tough; sun, rain, salt air and the odd cushion left out in a downpour. A bit of seasonal care keeps it looking good and seeing you through summer after summer, rather than giving up after one. Our outdoor range is built for both comfort and durability, but a little maintenance goes a long way.

Tips for Cushions:

• Cushions and fabric left in direct UV will fade and weaken faster, so it’s best not to leave them out permanently. Bring them in when you can to get the most life out of them.
• Damp cushions that never dry out will eventually grow mold and mildew. Air them out regularly and move them out of heavy rain where you can.

Tips for Timber:

• Our outdoor timber is tough, but nothing escapes the Australian sun entirely. When it’s not in use, move timber furniture out of direct sunlight to keep it at its best for longer.
• Timber needs regular oiling so it doesn’t dry out and crack. Apply a fine, light, silicone-free furniture oil and work it in along the grain, following the instructions on the label. Never use a polish containing silicone; check the label, because a well-known general-purpose spray markets itself for furniture, but its silicone content will quickly wreck the lacquer.
• Timber in humid spots is more prone to mold and mildew. Wipe it down regularly, and a coat of wax helps keep both at bay.
• Left untreated outdoors, teak will silver over time. That’s a natural part of weathering, not a fault.

There’s nothing quite like solid timber; warm, full of character and built to last generations if you treat it kindly. A little regular care keeps it from drying out or marking, so your timber ages gracefully rather than looking tired. Here’s what we’d do.

Tips from us:

• Natural variation: Timber is a natural material, so some variation from piece to piece is completely normal and expected. We do our best to capture each timber’s true tone in our product photos, but we can’t promise an exact match; pieces may arrive a little lighter or darker, within reason.
• Outdoor use: As durable as timber is, most of it doesn’t love the elements. Leaving timber furniture outdoors, even undercover, will void your warranty. Harbour Lane does offer a range suited to undercover patios, so just ask our team if you’re after something for outside.
• Timber needs polishing and/or waxing to stay healthy. Apply a fine, light, silicone-free furniture oil along the grain, following the label. Never use a polish containing silicone; check the label, because a well-known general-purpose spray markets itself for furniture, but its silicone content will quickly wreck the lacquer.
• Don’t leave wet clothes or glasses sitting on lacquered surfaces; they’ll break the lacquer down over time.
• Furniture wax is especially good for recycled timber and is worth applying every three to six months, following the instructions on the tin.
• Wipe up spills straight away with a slightly damp cloth to protect the coating. Keep an eye on porous objects like pottery vases too; water can seep through and sit unnoticed on the timber.
• Timber surfaces aren’t heatproof, so use heat-resistant coasters and placemats.
• Some hand-thrown ceramic mugs have a rough, sandpaper-like base; pop a coaster under those.
• Timber is light sensitive. Keep it out of direct sun, and don’t leave coasters or decorative pieces sitting in one spot for weeks. With extension tables, open them up now and then so the leaf gets the same light as the rest.
• Timber is sensitive to humidity, so avoid placing it directly under heating or air-conditioning ducts, or near an open fire.
• Timber is rich in natural oils and, in rare cases, can mark flooring. If you’re unsure, slip a barrier between the timber and your floor covering.

Fabric brings comfort and colour to a room, but everyday life leaves its mark; the odd spill, a touch of fading, the gentle wear of a well-loved lounge. A simple routine keeps your upholstery fresh, soft and looking its best for the long run.

Tips from us:

• Piling: Those little bobbles are a natural result of everyday use, not a fault. Pilling comes from all sorts of things; climate, clothing, pets, and it isn’t covered under warranty. The good news is it lifts away easily with a battery-operated pilling tool, found in most haberdashery stores.
• Vacuum regularly on a low suction setting to lift dust and dirt.
• Watch out for belts, buckles and rings, which can snag or scratch the fabric.
• Keep an eye on pets’ claws and collars too, for the same reason.
• Like any furniture, fabric will fade in direct sunlight, so try to limit how much sun your lounge cops to keep the colour lasting.
• For spills, act straight away. Gently blot (don’t rub) with a clean, dry, absorbent cloth. If a stain sets in, call in a professional upholstery cleaner.
• A professional clean roughly once a year keeps things in good shape.
• Keep newspapers and magazines off your lounge; the ink can transfer.
• Steer clear of household detergents and strong chemicals on your upholstery.

A good rug pulls a room together and softens it underfoot, and with the right care it’ll keep doing both for years. Here’s how to keep yours looking and feeling its best.

Care & Maintenance:

• Placement: Where you put your rug effects how it looks and lasts. Direct sunlight can fade the colours, so rugs in bright spots should be turned often to keep the fading even. A periodic rotation helps too.
• When furniture sits on the rug, set it down gently, then nudge it slightly in the direction of the pile about once a week.
• Vacuum lightly and regularly.
• Keep rugs out of damp or wet areas; moisture leads to mold and the odd musty smell.
• Keep them away from sharp objects, hot surfaces, open fireplaces and excess moisture.
• In the first few weeks, you may notice some shedding or sprouting of fibres. That’s completely normal and settles down with time and use.
• Don’t fold your rug; roll it with the front side facing inwards.
• Deep colours can transfer onto light surfaces, especially when wet, so keep things dry; a rug underlay is a good idea.
• A new rug may have a faint odour at first; it’ll clear quickly once aired.
• Don’t pull at loose ends; just snip them with scissors. With hand-woven rugs, the odd protruding yarn after a few weeks is normal; it’s part of the craft, not a defect.

Removing Stains:

• Treat any stain straight away. For liquids, first lay an absorbent, unprinted paper towel or, better still, a moist cotton cloth over the area. Then dab gently with a moist, undyed cotton cloth; don’t rub in circles or press hard.
• Hang the rug to dry in a shaded spot.
• For coarse dirt like soil, let it dry first, then lift it with a vacuum. If the stain won’t budge, a specialist carpet cleaner is your best bet.

Care by Material:

• Wool: A little pilling and shedding is natural with wool. Vacuum as needed and rotate the rug regularly. Avoid pulling fibres from the pile; trim any stray ones back to the surface. Clean spills straight away by blotting (not rubbing) with a clean cloth or sponge.
• Natural fibres (sisal, jute, hemp): these change over time, especially in sunlight. Regular vacuuming with a strong brush-suction vacuum keeps them fresh; just skip the beater bar. Bear in mind natural fibre never looks quite the same once it’s met moisture, so for spills it’s worth calling a rug cleaning specialist.

A good mattress is worth looking after; it’s where you spend a third of your life, after all. A few simple habits keep it supportive, fresh and comfortable, and help you get years of proper sleep out of it. Here’s how.

1. Rotate Regularly: Every two to three months, give your mattress a turn to keep the wear even. Double-sided mattresses: flip and rotate head to foot. Single-sided mattresses: rotate head to foot only.
2. Use a Mattress Protector: A good, breathable protector is essential; it shields against dust, spills and stains while keeping things fresh and hygienic. Wash it regularly as per its care instructions. We’re big fans of the White Feather Mattress Protector (Towelling/Bamboo), made from naturally soft, breathable TENCEL® fibres with a waterproof backing that stays quiet and comfortable. It adds to your comfort and helps your mattress last longer.
3. Keep It Clean: Vacuum the surface and sides every few months with a clean upholstery attachment to lift dust, dead skin and allergens. For spills, spot-clean straight away with a mild detergent and a damp cloth; never soak the mattress.
4. Let it breathe: Pull the bedding back for a few hours each week so air can move through and moisture can escape; it keeps the mattress fresher for longer.
5. Support It Properly: Always use your mattress on a suitable base or frame. A sagging or uneven base affects comfort and can void the manufacturer’s warranty.
6. Go easy on it: Try to keep the jumping and standing to a minimum; too much pressure in one spot can damage the springs or foam. Worth gently reminding the kids, too.
7. Moving or Storing: When moving your mattress, keep it upright and protected in a mattress bag to avoid tears and dirt, and don’t bend or fold it.