Material & Care Guide

Every GAURI KOHLI object begins with its material. Stone, brass, wood, wool and woven fiber each carry their own character, and each responds in its own way to light, touch, moisture and time.

This guide sets out what to expect from each material and how to care for it. The approach is deliberately simple: a dry cloth, a coaster, an unhurried hand. Where an individual product page gives more specific guidance, that guidance takes precedence.

Essential Care

Restraint is the most effective form of care. Most objects ask for nothing more than dust removed, spills blotted and water dried.

Do

Dust with a soft, dry cloth.
Blot spills at once. Do not wipe them across the surface.
Use coasters, liners, trivets, felt pads and rug pads where the object meets another surface.
Lift objects to move them. Never drag.
Dry thoroughly after any contact with water.
Follow the guidance on the individual product page.

Avoid

Bleach, ammonia, vinegar, citrus and acidic or abrasive cleaners.
Scouring pads, steel wool, stiff brushes and polishing compounds.
Standing water, prolonged damp and humid storage.
Direct heat: hot vessels, radiators, open flame against the surface.
Prolonged direct sunlight on dyed textiles, woven fiber and resin.
Dishwashers, microwaves and ovens, unless the product page states otherwise.

Natural Stone

Marble, onyx, travertine and sandstone are quarried, cut and finished, not made. Veining, banding, tonal shifts, small cavities and variation in finish are the record of how each stone formed. No two pieces are alike, and none is meant to be.

All natural stone is porous to some degree, even when honed, polished or sealed. It responds to acids, oils, cosmetics and pigmented liquids, and it prefers to be kept dry.

Marble

Character: Dense, cool to the touch, with veining that moves across the surface in soft or dramatic lines. Reads differently in morning and evening light.
Finish: Honed for a matte, tactile surface that shows less wear over time. Polished for depth and reflection.
With time: Acids leave a dull mark called etching. Honed surfaces disguise it; polished surfaces show it. Both are part of living with marble.
Care: Dust dry. Wipe with a barely damp cloth and dry at once. A pH-neutral stone cleaner when needed. Coasters under glasses, candles and soap.

Onyx

Character: Translucent and banded, formed in layers over thousands of years. Holds light within the stone rather than on its surface.
Finish: Polished to bring out its depth. The banding is the design.
With time: Softer and more porous than marble. Sensitive to acids and to impact along its layers.
Care: As for marble, with more restraint. Lift from the base with both hands. Keep away from unstable edges and pigmented liquids.

Travertine & Sandstone

Character: Open-grained and tonal. Travertine carries natural pits and pores; sandstone a fine, even grain. Both read as warm and quiet.
Finish: Honed or left matte. Pores may be left open or lightly filled. Neither is a flaw.
With time: Absorbs liquid readily. Oils and strong color will settle into the grain if left.
Care: Dry or barely damp cloth. Blot spills immediately. Do not scrub into open pores. Keep in a stable, dry interior.

Stone Serveware

Intended for dry or low-moisture serving: cheese, bread, fruit, pastry.
Place a liner beneath acidic, oily or strongly pigmented food.
Hand-wash with mild, pH-neutral soap and warm water. Dry immediately and completely.
Never soak. Never place in a dishwasher, microwave or oven.
Do not apply oils, sealants or treatments unless the product page recommends them.

Stone Bath Objects

Wipe away water, soap and cosmetics regularly.
Allow both the object and the surface beneath it to dry fully.
Do not leave porous stone in continuous contact with pooled water.

Brass & Steel

Character: Brass brings warmth; steel brings a cooler, quieter tone. Both are chosen for contrast against stone and wood.
Finish: Brass may be polished, brushed, aged or lacquered. Steel is brushed or polished. The finish is noted on the product page.
With time: Unlacquered brass deepens and softens in tone. This patina is the material maturing, not deteriorating. Lacquered brass and steel hold their tone.
Care: Dust dry. Wipe with a slightly damp cloth and dry at once. No metal polish unless the product page recommends it. Keep from salt, acids and prolonged moisture. Never soak.

Bar tools, servers and other pieces intended for food contact are hand-wash only. Where metal meets stone, wood, resin or a wrapped handle, keep water contact brief and care for each material on its own terms.

Acacia Wood

Character: Dense hardwood with pronounced grain and a range of tone within a single board, from pale gold to deep brown.
Finish: Smoothed and sealed with a food-safe oil.
With time: Wood dries. A surface that begins to look pale or matte is asking for oil, not replacement.
Care: Hand-wash with mild soap and warm water; dry at once, standing on end. Never soak, never place in a dishwasher. Every few months, rub in a thin coat of food-grade mineral oil and let it rest overnight.

Keep from heat vents, radiators and direct sunlight, which dry and shift the grain.
Do not use oil-based furniture polish or aerosol sprays on serving pieces.

Bone, Horn & Mother of Pearl

Inlay brings individually shaped pieces of bone, horn or mother of pearl together into a single composed surface. Slight shifts in tone, grain and alignment are inherent to how these surfaces are composed.

Character: Bone reads pale and even; horn is dark and softly translucent; mother of pearl carries iridescence that moves with the light.
Finish: Set into a base, leveled and polished to a low sheen.
With time: These are natural materials set into wood or resin. They respond to swings in humidity and heat, which can lift or open a seam.
Care: Dust dry. A barely damp cloth only when necessary, dried at once. Keep from heat vents, strong sun, damp rooms and standing water. No oils, polishes, abrasives or sprays.

Pillow Covers & Throws

Wool, cotton and blended weaves, some with embroidery, appliqué, tufting or fringe. Surface detail asks for gentler care than plain cloth.

Pillow Covers

Remove the insert before cleaning.
Spot clean unless the sewn-in label or product page states otherwise.
Blot marks with a clean white cloth. Do not rub.
No bleach, strong detergent or household stain remover.
Do not pull, brush or scrub embellished areas.
Keep from prolonged direct sunlight, which fades dyed fiber.
Store clean and dry, without compressing the surface.

Throws

Shake out gently to release dust.
Spot clean, or dry clean where the label permits. Do not saturate the whole piece.
Wool may pill lightly where it is handled most. Remove pills with a fabric comb, never by pulling.
Fold loosely around fringe and embroidery.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sun.

Small shifts in weave, embroidery placement, texture and color are characteristic of woven textiles and are not treated as defects.

Rugs & Bath Mats

Wool Rugs

Character: Resilient, warm underfoot, with natural variation in tone from one fiber to the next.
With time: Light shedding in the first weeks is normal and settles with use. Tone softens evenly where the rug is rotated.
Care: A rug pad beneath. Vacuum on low suction with the beater bar off. Rotate every few months to balance wear and light. Blot spills at once; never rub or oversaturate. Professional cleaning for anything more.

Jute & Blended-Fiber Rugs

Character: Jute carries a coarse, tactile texture and a warm natural tone. Blended with wool or denim it gains softness and depth.
With time: Jute holds its form indoors and in dry conditions. It does not tolerate water: moisture darkens the fiber and can weaken it.
Care: Vacuum regularly on low suction. Blot spills immediately with a dry cloth and let the area air-dry fully. Never steam clean, shampoo or wet-wash. Keep out of bathrooms, kitchens and covered outdoor areas.

Bath Mats

Follow the sewn-in label. Machine wash only where it says so, in cool water with mild detergent.
Air dry flat or over a rail. Allow to dry completely between uses.
Do not leave on continuously wet flooring. Use an anti-slip support where appropriate.

Woven Fiber

Baskets, wall pieces and mirror frames in jute, rattan and other natural fiber. Tonal variation, movement in the weave and the occasional visible fiber end are the material's own texture.

Dust with a soft dry cloth, a feather duster or a clean dry brush.
Never soak or saturate. Keep from damp walls, humid rooms and direct sunlight.
Support baskets from the base when lifting. Handle wall pieces and frames from the sides.
Hang on suitable anchors rated for the weight of the piece.

Glass

Clean with a soft cloth and a mild, non-abrasive glass cleaner. Apply to the cloth, not the object.
Dry fully to avoid water marks.
Hurricanes and candle holders: let wax cool completely before removing it. Never scrape with metal.
Lift from the base or body, never by a rim, knob or handle.
Do not stack without padding. Store away from crowded or impact-prone edges.

Resin

Character: Cast into form and finished to a smooth, even surface. Color and depth are set within the material rather than applied to it.
With time: Holds its form and color indoors. Prolonged direct sunlight can warm the tone; heat can mark the surface.
Care: Dust dry. A lightly damp cloth when needed, dried at once. No acetone, alcohol, abrasives or polishing compounds. Keep from hot vessels and sharp edges.

Placement & Storage

Care begins with where an object is set down.

Felt pads beneath stone and metal objects protect both the object and the surface below.
Keep stone, onyx and glass away from unstable edges and high-traffic paths.
Give each object room. Objects set too close to one another mark each other over time.
Store in a cool, dry, ventilated interior. Wrap delicate pieces in soft, undyed cloth.
Never stack stone, glass or inlay without padding between pieces.
Fold textiles loosely. Roll rugs with the pile facing out; never fold them.

On Variation

No two objects shaped from natural material are alike. Veining, grain, banding, weave, tone and finish move from one piece to the next, and the photograph on a product page is one expression of the material, not a specification.

These differences are not imperfections. They are the material's own record, and the reason a GAURI KOHLI object holds its presence for decades rather than seasons.

Guidance on an individual product page always takes precedence over this guide. For anything not covered here, or for advice on a specific piece, write to us.

care@gaurikohli.com

Common Questions

How do you clean marble and onyx?
Wipe with a soft cloth, warm water and a drop of mild dish soap, then dry the surface. Avoid vinegar, citrus, bleach and bathroom sprays, since acid etches stone. Blot spills as they happen rather than wiping them across the piece.

Can marble be used to serve food?
Yes. Honed marble is dense and non-absorbent, and it is used for cheese, charcuterie, bread and pastry. Keep acidic foods from sitting on the surface for long stretches, and cut on wood rather than on the stone, which dulls a knife edge.

What is etching, and can it be removed?
Etching is a dull mark left where acid has reacted with the stone. It is a change in the surface rather than a stain, so it will not wash out. Light etching softens with everyday use; deeper marks need professional refinishing.

How should wool rugs be cared for?
Vacuum regularly without a beater bar, rotate the rug twice a year so wear and light fall evenly, and blot spills immediately with a dry cloth. New wool rugs shed loose fiber for the first weeks; that settles as the pile beds in.

Does brass need polishing?
Only if you want it bright. Unlacquered brass darkens into a patina over time, which many pieces are designed to develop. A soft dry cloth keeps it clean, and a brass polish returns the original tone. Dry after contact with water to avoid spotting.

Why do two pieces of the same design look different?
Each is cut from a different section of stone, or woven from a different run of fiber, so tone, veining and texture shift between pieces. Product photographs show a representative piece rather than the exact one shipped.