Tabletop Care

For any type of table, it is important to clean up spills immediately, and avoid using harsh chemical cleaners. For dining tables in particular, consistent cleaning and maintenance may be needed depending on your lifestyle. Avoid dragging items across your tabletop, as this can potentially scratch its surface, which could result in irreversible damage. Using high-quality coasters, placemats, and solid surface trivets can help prevent heat damage. Finally, it’s important to note that with materials such as ceramic and marble, minor deviations and imperfections are normal and a part of their one-of-a-kind appearance.

For general day-to-day care, ceramic tabletops should be cleaned with a wet sponge and mild detergent.

Do not use harsh cleaning products or steam cleaners. For deep cleaning, a limestone cleaning gel can be used on an infrequent basis.

Remove stains as quickly as possible to avoid the risk of permanent damage. If a stain has soaked in to the ceramic, rub the surface with a paste of bicarbonate soda and water until it fully sinks in. Then wipe the paste away with a wet sponge.

Concrete tabletops usually have a layer of sealant on them to protect from heat and moisture. This topcoat will make cleaning easier, but after consistent use, you may need to reapply a sealant to keep your table looking fresh.

The best thing to do is to clean spills and stains as soon as possible with a mild detergent. For tougher messes, or ones that have already dried, a gentle scrub will do the trick. Do not use acidic or harsh chemicals.

It’s important to note that some concrete surfaces have a tinted or painted finish that makes the surface more susceptible to damage and scratches than raw, sealed concrete. It’s important to avoid exposure to acidic or harsh chemicals. We always recommend consulting with your sales associate for specific care recommendations or questions.

Glass tabletops are easy to clean but require more frequent care. Remove dust and dirt with a damp towel, then use a glass cleaner with a paper towel or cloth. Be sure to use clean towels to help prevent streaking.

As always, avoid using abrasive cleaners, and exposing the tabletop to excessive hot and cold temperatures. Other types of glass, such as colored or satin-etched, may require additional maintenance. For BDI’s satin-etched glass, scratches or scuffing can be removed using a melamine foam sponge.

Marble tabletops typically have a layer of polish or wax to protect its surface from heat and moisture. You may choose to re-polish your table if consistent use wears down the original coating. In this case, we recommend contacting our service department for product recommendations first, so that you use the ideal product for your particular type of marble table.

For day-to-day cleaning, use a damp cloth to remove dirt and dust, then dry the tabletop with a soft cloth. Only use cleaning products specifically made for marble or stone tabletops. Avoid using household cleaning products like harsh detergents.

Treat your marble table with care as marble’s surface can be extremely delicate. Don’t drag items across the top, don’t let liquids sit on the surface, and avoid placing hot items directly on top of it. Water rings, heat, and colored liquids, such as coffee and wine, are more likely to stain a marble tabletop.

Fenix tabletops have a unique, non-porous external layer that can be thermally healed against minor damage. For day-to-day maintenance, a Fenix surface can be cleaned using a damp cloth with warm water or mild detergent. For older or dryer stains, use a melamine foam sponge.

Almost all typical household cleaners and disinfectants can be safely used on a Fenix tabletop, except for those that are excessively damaging, such as those that contain bleach. For superficial scratches, place a paper towel over the scratch and wet it with water. Then, use a hot iron over the towel and dry the area with a microfiber cloth.

After any kind of cleaning, you should rinse the area with water and dry thoroughly.

Choosing the right table requires more thought than you might think. How many guests do you expect to entertain on a regular basis? Do you have kids? Are you looking for a dining table to eat around every night, or a side table to display your favorite vase?

If you want a tabletop that’s easy to clean, going with a traditional glass piece is probably best. If you’re looking for something still low maintenance, but with an added artistic flair, a ceramic table fits the bill. If neither of these sound like you, there’s still plenty to choose from. Read on for important info on several types of tabletops.

Ceramic

Ceramic is a man-made material primarily composed of clay. Other organic elements such as granite are sometimes used in the making of ceramic, which is then fired and glazed to form a smooth, sealed surface. It typically has a marbled appearance, and is popularly used in making modern dining tables, as it is a more cost-effective alternative to genuine marble. Ceramic tabletops are durable, heat-resistant, and easy to clean.

Concrete

Concrete is formed from a mixture of paste and rocks that is then poured into a mold where it hardens. What is left is a strong, rock-like mass of material. Because of its versatility, concrete is used to build everything from skyscrapers, to sidewalks, to furniture. A concrete tabletop is bold without being loud, and minimalist without being boring. It is durable, heavy-duty, and usable indoors and outside. It’s important to note that some concrete surfaces, like those on Copenhagen’s Ghost table, have a tinted finish that makes the surface more susceptible to damage than raw concrete. We always recommend consulting with your sales associate for care recommendations.

Glass

Glass tabletops can come in a variety of finishes, including satin-etched, smoked, and matte, with clear glass being the most common. Clear glass tables are popular because they reflect light and pair well with artistic, sculptural table bases, as you can view them easily through the tabletop. A smoked glass finish is an interesting departure from traditional clear glass, as it creates a semi-transparent look, while satin-etched glass has a smooth, soft touch. Glass used for furniture is typically tempered for safety, easily cleanable, and resistant to moisture and heat.

Marble

Marble is a rock composed of carbonate minerals; it has natural variations such as veins, pores, and other marks that make each piece unique. Most marble tabletops have a polished finish that gives the surface its shine, and protects it from wear and tear. Marble is considered a luxury material, popularly used for tabletops and accent pieces, particularly in contemporary environments.

Fenix

Fenix is a material made from paper and thermosetting resins. Used on some Skovby tables, Fenix undergoes several development processes, including having heat and pressure applied, before hardening into a surface that has a soft touch, and is resistant to fingerprints, scratches, and other damage. Fenix tabletops are low-maintenance, carbon-neutral, and have a sleek, modern look.