Use of furniture

How to ensure satisfaction from using Gala Collezione furniture?

Properly used and cared for furniture will successfully serve you for many years and provide many moments of pleasant relaxation. Therefore, we ask you to familiarize yourself thoroughly with the rules of daily use of furniture.

General information

Actual size of furniture may differ from the size declared in the Manufacturer’s commercial offer. The permissible deviation of dimensions from the declared ones is:

• +/- 2 cm if the declared dimension (width, depth or height of the furniture in ready-to-use configuration) is less than or equal to 150 cm,
• +/- 2,5 cm if the declared dimension (width, depth or height of the furniture in ready-to-use configuration) is greater than 150 cm.

I. Acceptance of delivery, unpacking and positioning of furniture

1. If, during delivery, mechanical damage to the product is found, this fact should be described on the delivery document and the original packaging should be kept until the Manufacturer’s Representative arrives. If the damage is visible before unpacking the furniture, take a picture of the damaged area together with the packaging.
2. In case of damage to the product during personal collection from the Point of Sale, this fact should be described in the collection document.
3. When unpacking furniture, it is forbidden to use sharp tools (e.g. utility knives, scissors), as this may damage and cut the upholstery of the furniture.
4. Before the first undoing of a utility function (e.g. sleeping function), make sure that all transport safety devices have been removed.
5. If the furniture requires assembly (e.g. self-assembly of legs), follow the information sheet/instructions provided with the furniture.
6. After unpacking the furniture, creases resulting from transport may be visible on it. This applies especially to furniture with soft filling (e.g. silicone filling). Manual shaping of cushions, armrests and seats will help to obtain the desired shape of the furniture faster.
7. After unpacking the furniture upholstered with a fabric with longer hair (e.g. velour), shading and slight dents as a result of transport may be visible on the surfaces. Appropriate smoothing of the surface will help to achieve the desired appearance of the upholstery and will speed up the “rest” time of the fabric.
8. When moving furniture, hold it underneath by rigid structural elements. It is forbidden to grasp the furniture when carrying it with armrests, loose elements (e.g. cushions) or upholstery. This can cause these components to tear out or damage them.
9. Install the optional mobile headrests on the back of the furniture with special care, slowly sliding the metal rails into the specially prepared back of the tunnel. This prevents the cover from being torn apart and minimises the risk of injury.
10. Avoid moving the furniture on the floor as this could scratch the surface through the legs of the furniture.
11. The furniture should be placed on a level surface.
12. Furniture should be positioned at least 1 meter from radiators and other heat sources (such as fireplaces, stoves, radiators).

II. Daily use of furniture

1. Furniture produced by Gala Collezione Furniture Factory is intended for home use. They must be used in accordance with their intended use and in accordance with the rules set out in the Instructions for Use.
2. The furniture is designed for use in dry, closed rooms, protected against harmful weather conditions and direct sunlight. Optimal conditions for the use of furniture:
   • relative humidity between 30% and 70%,
   • temperature range +18 to +23°C.

3. There may be differences in the hardness and elasticity of individual furniture elements (cushions, backrests, seats), depending on whether or not a given element has a specific utility function (e.g. storage box, sleeping function, relaxation function). This is due to the use of different structural solutions in the functional and non-functional parts.
4. Avoid sitting on armrests, footrests, standing and jumping on the seat, the backrest or individual spring bars. This can lead to damage or breakage.
5. Protect wooden surfaces (such as shelves, countertops) from scratches or upholstery.
6. The outer edges of the upholstery should be protected against mechanical abrasion.
7. In products intended for use by two or more persons and in sets, all furniture seats should be used evenly. This will help to avoid future differences in the appearance of individual elements of the set. Differences resulting from uneven use (such as folding and creasing under the influence of long-term load, the influence of body heat and humidity, displacement and compaction of the filling of soft seat cushions, backrests and armrests, etc.) is not a defect of the furniture, but a natural consequence of its use.
8. In the case of furniture with soft cushions (e.g. backrests, loose cushions), their formation should be systematically repeated (by “stuffing”) in order to maintain the desired line of furniture. The frequency of forming depends on the intensity of use.
9. The natural effects of use are creasing and corrugations of furniture covers (industry standard RAL-GZ 430/4).
10. In the case of natural leather furniture with large, uniform surfaces without cuts and quilting on the backrest and seat, wrinkling of the cover may occur during use, due to gentle stretching and tensioning of the leather. Corrugations may also occur in the case of furniture upholstered in fabric, but to a lesser extent. Wrinkles and corrugations are the more visible, the larger the upholstered area.
11. In the case of furniture made of natural leather, natural effects such as rubbing, polishing and leather breakage may occur on particularly heavily exploited parts of the furniture.
12. When furniture with movable head restraints designed to form an integral part of the backrest cover is used, creases and wrinkles may appear on the backrest during use. This is due to the tightening of the leather at the moment of maximum folding of the headrest.
13. In moving parts, such as headrests, armrests or relaxation functions, there may be slight horizontal deflections. This means that solids containing any mechanisms inside the upholstered elements may differ slightly from each other and will not always look identical, appearing next to each other. This is due to the technology of this type of hardware and is not a defect in the product.
14. Recreational furniture with sleeping function type A (Dolphin), B (Leopard), C (trolley), D (Sedalift), E (Belgian rack) are mainly dedicated to occasional sleeping. In the case of function types A, B, C and D, the sleeping area is created by the seat and the extension inside the furniture. There may therefore be a slight difference in height between these elements, small gaps or a shift in the line of the backrest and seat due to technological reasons. In the case of function D, the seat must be removed each time the mechanism is retracted. In order to level the sleeping surface (to eliminate possible gaps) and to protect the cover against abrasion and crushing, it is advisable to use top mattresses. Daily sleeping is achievable with type G (DL), type H (C.S.T. or Comfort System Technology) and type F (Italian rack) functions, in which the user sleeps on a full-size mattress.
15. Lounge furniture with electrically controlled sliding seat (V function) is dedicated to rest in a sitting or semi-sleeping position. They are not used for sleeping. Avoid sitting at the edge of a maximally extended seat as this may damage the mechanism. The function should be used when sitting as deep as possible on the seat. The maximum total load of the V function (retractable seat) is 300 kg.
16. Furniture with an electrically folding mechanism should only be triggered after checking that there are no obstacles to the movement of the mechanism and the extension of the moving parts.
17. Recreational furniture with electric functions should be used in accordance with the instructions. The most important rules of use:
    • it is forbidden to sit and rest on the footrests and headrests when they are open or in motion, to put hands and objects between moving parts and under the footrests and behind the seat when they are open, to touch with wet hands the device, power supply unit, cables and other electronic components of the mechanism,
    • protect the power cable and connections from mechanical damage, dust, dirt, hot objects (e.g. radiator),
    • furniture powered by electricity from an electric socket or lithium battery should be used away from heat sources, water reservoirs, flammable materials,
    • the battery should not be excessively loaded by continuously retracting and extending the function for more than 2 minutes; after this time, the battery should not be loaded for a minimum of 18 minutes,
    • battery life is approx. 300 charges;
    • the battery should be fully charged at least once every 3 months,
    • only charge the battery when its low charge level is indicated by a buzzer (if the battery is equipped with it),
    • disconnect the power cord if the unit is not in use for a long period of time.

18. It is forbidden to sit down or stand up from a piece of furniture with an unfolded relaxation function or PLUS relaxation function (regardless of the type of control – manual or electric). This can damage the mechanism. Before getting up from the furniture, the function must always be folded to the starting position.
19. The permissible weight of a user using a chair/seat with a relaxation function and a PLUS relaxation function is 120 kg.
20. When using furniture, natural noises may occur due to connections or subassemblies in metal construction mechanisms (e.g. rocking chair springs, etc.).
21. It is forbidden to touch the mechanisms during the unfolding and folding of furniture functions, in particular touching springs, hinges, fittings and other structural elements, as this may cause injury.
22. It is forbidden to unfold and fold out furniture functions (e.g. sleeping function, relaxation function, seat extension) by children.
23. Avoid direct contact of the upholstery with sweat, animal and vegetable fats, solvents, liquids containing alcohol and other chemicals, as they may adversely affect the upholstery and cause damage or destruction of the upholstery.
24. Bed throws and textile clothing produced in a way that does not prevent the migration of dyes may, under certain conditions, cause the upholstery of furniture to be dyed, both in case of upholstery from natural leather and fabric. Avoid contact between the furniture and such textiles, as well as leaving printed magazines and newspapers on the upholstery of the furniture.

III. Cleaning and maintenance of upholstered furniture

1. Upholstery materials: leather, fabrics and leather-like materials should be regularly cleaned and maintained as recommended. Proper maintenance and care ensure that the functional qualities of the furniture as well as the quality and visual parameters of the upholstery are maintained for a longer period of time.
2. The use of caustic household detergents, cleaning milk, gasoline, alcohol, solvents, bleach, animal and vegetable fats and cleaning and care preparations containing these substances, body care creams and lotions, waxes, washing liquids, liquid soap, carpet cleaners, etc. for cleaning the leather and material upholstery is prohibited, as this can cause irreversible damage to the upholstery material (discolouration, cracking, mould, perforation, etc.).
3. All products intended for cleaning and maintenance of upholstered surfaces should always be tested first in an invisible place.
4. It is forbidden to apply cleaning and maintenance products directly to a stain. These preparations should be applied to a soft sponge or cloth, which should be used to gently clean the stain.
5. Strong rubbing can damage the surface of the upholstery material.
6. After unpacking a new piece of furniture at home and before using it, you should:
   • For furniture with fabric upholstery, carefully vacuum the furniture using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush and (if necessary) gently wipe the surface of the furniture with a soft, damp cloth,
   • For furniture upholstered in natural leather – carry out the first maintenance of the furniture with a set of preparations recommended by Gala Collezione.

This will allow to remove from the surface of the furniture any minor production or transport dirt.

7. Cleaning and maintenance of upholstery fabrics:
   • The method of cleaning and maintenance of a given upholstery fabric is presented in the sample catalogues available at points of sale.
   • Dry dirt (dust, loose substances) should be vacuumed immediately using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush. If necessary, the remains can be shaken off and gently wiped with a soft brush.
   • If liquid is spilled onto fabric upholstery, wipe it off the surface as soon as possible with a well-absorbent material, collecting the liquid from the outside to the centre of the stain. Avoid strong friction so as not to spread the stain.
   • If, despite the above treatments, the stain remains, it should be removed using only neutral cleaning detergents applied to a soft cotton or microfibre cloth and, in the case of fabrics with hydrophobic properties, only clean water.

8. Cleaning and preservation of natural leather:
   • We recommend to use only preparations recommended by Gala Collezione Furniture Factory, because the positive effect of their use has been proven in numerous tests. Any other preparations generally available on the market may cause damage to the upholstery structure and discoloration of the upholstery material.
   • The maintenance preparation should be selected according to the type of natural leather used to produce the given piece of furniture.
   • Stains should be removed immediately after their formation, using a dry, cotton cloth that absorbs well.
   • It is recommended to carry out a full care procedure (using a cleaning and maintenance product) every three months.
   • After cleaning and drying the furniture, it is necessary to impregnate the surface with a preservative, which protects the surface against repeated soiling. The furniture can be used only after the leather has completely dried out. The time for which the furniture should be left to dry is indicated on the packaging of the preparation.

9. Detailed information on cleaning and maintenance preparations recommended by the Manufacturer, as well as cleaning and care of upholstery materials, can be found on the Manufacturer’s website.
10. Please ask at the Point of Sale for the availability of cleaning and maintenance products recommended by Gala Collezione Furniture Factory.

IV. Natural characteristics of upholstery materials – general information

1. Each type of upholstery material has a specific set of natural characteristics, typical of the type. They are the result of their natural properties and may gradually become apparent during normal daily use of the furniture. These features do not constitute a defect in the product.
2. Furniture made of different types of upholstery (natural leather, leatherette, fabric) may have a slightly different look and comfort of sitting, which is related to the thickness and structure of the material used. Wrinkles may also appear on arches, which are due to the characteristics of unstretchable materials.
3. For orders made at different dates (e.g. ordering of additional elements of the set after a certain time), there may be differences in the shade of upholstery resulting from the need to use upholstery materials from different production batches in the production process. For the same reason, there may also be differences in shade between the upholstery of the furniture and a sample of leather or fabric in the sample catalogue available from the Point of Sale. This also applies to differences in shade and structure of wood used for the production of legs, worktops and other decorative elements.
4. When combining leather and leather-resembling fabric (leatherette), there may be differences in the structure and shade of individual furniture elements. In addition, the behaviour of a specific material may vary over the life of the product, due to the effects of light and temperature.
5. None of the upholstery materials available on the market (natural leather, leatherette, fabric) guarantees 100% resistance to possible damage or damage caused by pets (including dogs and cats). These materials, depending on the type, are characterized by different resistance to abrasion, friction and scratches. When selecting the upholstery material, pet owners should take into account its properties, structure, resistance parameters and intended use.
6. Furniture upholstered with fabric may have different stitching and cutting lines than furniture upholstered with natural leather.

V. Natural characteristics of furniture leather

1. Natural leather is an exceptional material due to its uniqueness. Each furleather comes from a different animal, therefore each furleather has its own array of natural characteristics that testify to its natural origin. These are features such as the characteristic smell, differences in texture and shade, scars, stretch marks, veins, wrinkles, creases, traces of insect bites, etc.
2. There are three basic factors influencing the appearance of a leather furniture cover:
   • the finishing process to which the leather has been subjected,
   • external factors, i.e. the environment in which the animal lived (e.g. biting insects, fences, barbed wire),
   • leather structure depending on which part of the animal’s body originates from which part of the leather.

The more intensive finishing process and the use of artificial print make the natural features less visible. The low degree of processing in the finishing process allows to maintain the visibility of natural features, thus emphasizing the unique appearance and structure of the cover. A detailed description of the characteristics of the types can be found on the Manufacturer’s website.

3. A special group of leather are double-tone antiquated leathers. Their characteristic appearance is achieved by applying a darker dye on a lighter substrate, which makes the abrasions that occur during use more visible.
4. Technologically, natural leather from calves, cows and buffaloes of varying hardness and thickness is used in the production of furniture, which is selected according to its location in the product.
5. During use, the furniture coating gains a characteristic appearance, which is the result of the natural effects of leather use. It manifests itself in the most frequently and intensively exploited areas in the form of wrinkles, folds, stretching of the cover, polishing and abrasion wearing of the leather.

VI. Natural characteristics of furniture fabrics

1. Upholstery fabrics may exhibit natural characteristics typical of the type in question, such as:
   • shading, i.e. differentiation of gloss and shade depending on the angle of light falling on the furniture; this feature may be particularly visible on corner furniture, where individual planes are arranged at an angle to each other, which may lead to the illusion of shade differences,
   • creation of a “seat mirror”, i.e. visible traces of the body, which are caused by the weight, body heat and humidity of the environment in which the furniture is used; in the case of some fabrics (e.g. knitted fabrics), a “seat mirror” may also be created by leaving various objects on the furniture (e.g. laptops, books, heavier toys),
   • peeling (microfibrillation of fibres), i.e. the formation of small, fibrous, difficult to remove “balls” on the fabric surface as a result of using bedspreads and blankets with clear fibres to cover the furniture.

2. During use, the furniture cover acquires a characteristic appearance, resulting from the natural effects of the use of furniture fabric. It manifests itself in the most frequently and intensively exploited areas in the form of wrinkles, folds, stretching of the cover and peeling.
3. Furniture made of fabrics in intense colours (e.g. red, brown, navy blue), at the initial stage of use may release dye, which is a characteristic feature of fabrics dyed as a whole. Avoid sitting on them in bright clothes.