Use and mantainance

Environment
The space allocated to the kitchen furniture must have a moisture content of between 40 and 60%. Long-term exposure in an enclosed, ventilated and with permanent high humidity can damage furniture causing mold, warping and swelling. If you anticipate long periods of closure, it is recommended periodically to ventilate the premises. With parts in solid wood furniture, when subjected to long periods of high temperature environments, or places near heat sources, may undergo over time cracks or unsticking.

Exposure to light
Wooden or lacquered parts, when exposed to light, in time can undergo changes in color tones, depending on the type of wood and type of exposure (more or less intense). For furniture with polymeric surfaces, it is not recommended prolonged exposure to temperatures above 70° C, in order to avoid shrinkage, deformation and appearance of opaque areas.

Assembly
It is necessary to install the furniture by specialized personnel. For a correct assembly, it is necessary to use screw anchors of adequate capacity, as well as specific for the various types of masonry. It is convenient to ensure that the wall is able to receive suspended cabinets (i.e. plasterboard). Rastelli cabinets are equipped with all the hardware settings for a perfect installation (distances, heights, leveling and alignment).

Hoods
The regulations require that the kitchen is arranged for the evacuation of fumes from combustion (hob and
oven). The gas exhaust discharge range for an extractable hood is around 220 mc/h, while that of rustic hoods is between 340 mc/h and 420 mc/h (maximum speed); during cooking, it is usually sufficient to adjust the speed on the first level. It is recommended to always turn on the hood during cooking, so there will be the correct air
supply or recirculation in the environment, which also ensures that heat and humidity do not concentrate in the wall cabinets adjacent to the hood, preserving them over time.

Electrical and gas connections
Always refer to authorized and qualified people, who are required to issue regular test report, according to the regulations on home security.

Appliances
Follow carefully the manufacturer instructions, included on the use and maintenance manuals. In the case of ovens column, is advisable the use of ovens with forced cooling. Absolutely do not use gas ovens installed in the column. For gas hobs, we recommend the use of those fitted with a safety valve. In case of a malfunction of any appliance, always contact the technical assistance of the manufacturers. It is recommended a periodic inspection of electrical and gas connections.

Maintenance
Do not make any changes to the piece of furniture, or the structure, significantly affecting their stability, and not excessively burden the shelves. Avoid exposing the cabinet parts in contact with water.
After each procedure in the kitchen take care to wipe up any standing water and always put a protection between the worktop and any hot pans, coffee machines, etc.

Polymeric doors
Use a soft cloth and a specific detergent product. In case of most resistant dirt, please use soft brushes and
sponges with liquid or window detergents. Then, remove the detergent marks with a dry cloth to avoid streaking and opacity. Avoid using steel wools or products containing abrasive pastes or powder detergents, which could damage the surface.
Do not use acetone. In order to revitalize your surfaces, use periodically an antistatic product made of silicones;
the most indicate are usually those ones used for car’s plastic pieces cleaning.

Lacquered doors
We strongly advise you not to expose any kitchen furniture to the direct sunlight to delay the normal process of color variation. Always use a soft cloth and not abrasive detergent in your daily regular door kitchen maintenance. When a more persistent stain appeared, you can use ethyl alcohol, but just on glossy lacquered furniture and in a diluted quantity.
In case of scratching your seller can provide you a lacquer paint bottle to touch up it. Absolutely avoid using acetone, trichloroethylene, ammonia, abrasive creams or steel wool pads because will scratch the surface permanently. Clean with degreasing agents diluted 100% with water.

Wooden doors (solid wood and veneered doors)
It is important to avoid persistent water seepages, dripping, steam, etc.; that after a while will cause adsorptions, mold and another problems.
Please be aware that wood is a hygroscopic material and it would be affected by the environmental factors: it swells in moist or foggy environments and it shrinks in dried ones. Remember to dry water spills, the remaining steam on the surfaces and always turn on the while you are cooking. Periodically, revival the surface by using waxes currently available on the market. These few hints would be helpful to maintain the quality and the wood natural beauty. In any case do not worry about slight swellings or shrinking during the season changes, cause they are not considered defect but natural transformation of an “active” material.
Always wipe off wet zones or vapor condenses, and do not forget switching on the hood every time you cook. Periodically, use wax-based products for surface maintenance. All small details that will help your kitchen to keep quality and beauty unaltered over time.

Laminate doors / melamine doors
The laminate provides a high standard of resistance to water, steam, stains, impact and abrasion. To clean, use a soft cloth. In case of stubborn dirt, use a soft brush and a sponge with liquid detergent or window cleaner, and remove the traces with a dry cloth to avoid streaks or dull. Always avoid use wire wools or abrasive pastes containing products that might ruin the shine of the surface. Do not drag objects on the surface that could cause scratches.
Pay particular attention to the risk of discoloration that may be caused by fruit juices, bleach or chemicals;
immediately remove these substances and thoroughly clean.

Stainless steel products
Clean stainless steel surfaces with soap and water or a neutral detergent, wipe with a synthetic sponge movement, following the direction of the grain. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth. To remove water spots, use only specific products for stainless steel, following the instructions on the product label. In fact, water although sufficiently pure, contains salts, iron, chemicals (acids or bases) which may cause stains on stainless steel oxidation or corrosion. Do not use wire wools, abrasive cleaners and detergents that contain chlorine or its compounds.

Tables
Any special maintenance is needed. Periodically check that the bolts used to attach the legs are properly tightened. In order to cleaning them, just follow the same instructions above said for the worktops. For solid wood or veneered tables, however, refer to the advice given to the wooden doors. Avoid ironing on solid wood, veneer or laminate tables in order to prevent that heat creates permanent stains or breakings the surfaces.

Chairs
If the seat is in natural straw, it does not require special precautions. The synthetic straw seat is equipped with a protective film with water repellent function; however, for a more accurate protection, it is advisable to cover the seat with a pillow. For the structures, refer to the door instructions. Avoid using chairs open-air, do not sit on the
backs and always use them with their four legs on the floor. To avoid small dents or scratches, pay attention when drawing the chair near the table.

PVC toekicks
To clean them, simply use a soft cloth and a specific detergent. In case of stubborn dirt, use a soft brush or a sponge soaked in a light liquid detergent or window detergent. Finally, remove the traces of these products with a dry cloth to avoid streaks or dull.

Aluminum toekicks
Clean aluminum surfaces with soap and water or a neutral detergent, polishing with a synthetic sponge following and respecting its natural glazing. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth. In case of stubborn stains, follow the same directions of stainless steel products. Avoid using abrasive creams or steel wool. Avoid using products that contain acetone, trichlorethylene, ammonia and vinegar.

Cleaning behind the toekicks
Periodically remove toekicks taking them out. After cleaning the hidden spaces and before re-assembling the toekicks, make sure that the claps are still in the correct position.

Wall cabinets and shelves
We recommend to not overload the wall cabinets: put heavy objects inside bases and columns.

Products to be used
It is strongly advised not to stain the surfaces with indelible products, glues or adhesives, especially if close to heat sources. In the event that such damage might occur, find and purchase suitable products on the market, following the instructions of the technical sheet that accompanies the product. We do not recommend the use of abrasive, harsh chemicals or solvents. In special cases, it is always advisable to test a not visible point. Normal kitchen cleaning can be done with a soft cloth or with a microfiber cloth.

Limestone stains on surfaces
Avoid the formation of limestone stains by drying quickly all water drops.

Water seepage
Avoid water seepage particularly close to sink, top junctions, and cook top and between the wall surfaces. When is corroborate the existence of a water seepage, it is necessary to take actions immediately. Call your seller in order to avoid subsequent damages on the furniture.

Corrosive materials
All materials composing the kitchen can be seriously damaged by corroding substances (i.e. acetone, ammonia, trichloroethylene, bleach, caustic soda, muriatic acid, etc.); also steam expelled by the
non-airtight closures can be corroding, therefore it is advisable to avoid placing these substances inside the furniture.

To properly recycle the materials, do not waste them in the environment, but separate the components by types (recyclable-waste collection) and notify your municipal authorized staff for garbage collection

We design your space