Material & Care Guide

Essential Care

A restrained approach is often the most effective.

Do

• Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth.
• Blot spills promptly rather than wiping them across the surface.
• Use coasters, trivets, liners, rug pads, and felt protectors where appropriate.
• Lift objects rather than dragging them across furniture or delicate surfaces.
• Dry pieces thoroughly after any contact with water.
• Follow the care guidance provided on the individual product page.

Avoid

• Bleach, ammonia, acidic cleaners, and harsh household chemicals.
• Abrasive powders, scouring pads, steel wool, and stiff brushes.
• Standing water, prolonged moisture, and damp storage.
• Direct contact with high heat.
• Extended direct sunlight on dyed, woven, and naturally sensitive materials.

Natural Stone

Marble, onyx, travertine, and sandstone are defined by mineral movement, tonal depth, and natural variation. Veining, color, texture, small cavities, and subtle shifts in finish are inherent to the stone and make every piece individual.

Natural stone may be porous even when its surface has been finished or sealed. Prompt care is essential, particularly around acids, oils, cosmetics, strongly pigmented liquids, and prolonged moisture.

Marble & Onyx

• Dust with a soft, dry cloth.
• When needed, wipe with a slightly damp cloth and dry immediately.
• Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner only when appropriate.
• Protect from citrus, vinegar, wine, oils, perfume, and pigmented liquids.
• Use coasters or liners beneath glasses, candles, soaps, and serving elements.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners or polishing compounds.
• Protect edges and carved details from impact.

Onyx is generally more delicate than marble. Lift onyx objects from the base with both hands where possible and avoid placing them near unstable edges.

Travertine & Sandstone

Travertine and sandstone may contain natural pits, pores, and tonal movement. These characteristics belong to the material and should not be filled, scrubbed, or treated as surface damage.

• Clean with a dry or barely damp cloth.
• Blot spills immediately.
• Avoid water saturation and oily or strongly colored substances.
• Do not scrub into open pores or textured areas.
• Keep in a stable, dry interior environment unless otherwise specified.

Stone Serveware

Unless the individual product page states otherwise:

• Use stone pieces for dry or low-moisture serving.
• Use a liner beneath acidic, oily, or strongly pigmented foods.
• Hand-wash with mild, pH-neutral soap and warm water.
• Dry immediately and thoroughly.
• Do not soak or place in a dishwasher, microwave, or oven.
• Do not apply oils, sealants, or treatments unless specifically recommended.

Stone Bath Objects

Wipe away water, soap, cosmetics, and residue regularly. Allow both the object and the surface beneath it to dry fully. Avoid leaving porous stone in continuous contact with pooled water.

Brass & Metal

Brass, steel, and other metal finishes introduce warmth and contrast. Depending on the finish and environment, the surface may gradually soften or deepen in tone. This natural patina is part of the material’s evolution.

• Dust with a soft, dry cloth after use.
• If needed, wipe gently with a slightly damp cloth and dry immediately.
• Avoid abrasive metal polishes unless specifically recommended.
• Keep away from prolonged moisture, salt residue, and acidic substances.
• Do not soak metal objects or leave them wet after cleaning.

For servers, bar tools, and other pieces intended for food contact, hand-wash only when directed on the product page. Where metal is combined with stone, rattan, enamel, resin, or wrapped handles, keep water contact brief and clean each material according to its requirements.

Textiles

Pillow covers and throws may include embroidery, appliqué, tufting, hand-finishing, or woven surface detail. These elements require gentler care than plain fabric.

Pillow Covers

• Remove the insert before cleaning.
• Spot clean unless the product page or sewn-in label states otherwise.
• Blot marks with a clean white cloth; do not rub.
• Avoid bleach, strong detergents, and household stain removers.
• Do not pull, brush, or aggressively clean embellished areas.
• Keep away from prolonged direct sunlight to limit fading.
• Store clean and dry without compressing surface details.

Throws

• Shake out gently to release loose dust.
• Spot clean unless otherwise directed.
• Avoid saturating the entire piece.
• Fold loosely around fringe, embroidery, or embellishment.
• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Minor shifts in weave, embroidery placement, texture, fringe, and color are characteristic of handcrafted textile work.

Rugs & Bath Mats

Area Rugs

• Use a suitable rug pad to improve grip, cushioning, and longevity.
• Vacuum gently using low suction and without a beater bar.
• Rotate periodically to balance wear and light exposure.
• Blot spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth.
• Do not rub stains or oversaturate the fibers.
• Use a professional cleaner experienced with handcrafted or natural-fiber rugs for deep cleaning.

Initial shedding can occur with wool and tufted rugs. This generally settles with careful vacuuming and normal use.

Bath Mats

• Follow the sewn-in care label or product-page instructions.
• Machine wash only when specifically stated.
• Use cool or cold water with a mild detergent where machine washing is permitted.
• Allow the mat to dry completely between uses.
• Avoid leaving it on continuously wet flooring.
• Use an anti-slip support where appropriate.

Jute & Woven Surfaces

Jute, rattan, natural-fiber wall pieces, woven baskets, and framed textile compositions should be kept dry and handled with care.

• Remove dust with a soft, dry cloth, feather duster, or clean dry brush.
• Do not soak or saturate natural fibers.
• Avoid damp walls, humid environments, and prolonged direct sunlight.
• Support baskets from the base when lifting.
• Handle wall pieces and frames from the sides.
• Use suitable wall anchors for secure installation.

Tonal variation, subtle movement in the weave, and occasional visible fiber ends are natural characteristics of hand-worked surfaces.

Wood, Bone, Horn & Inlay

Inlay objects bring together individually shaped elements within a composed surface. Slight variation in grain, tone, alignment, and pattern is inherent to the making process.

• Dust with a soft, dry cloth.
• Use a barely damp cloth only when necessary, then dry immediately.
• Avoid soaking, standing water, and prolonged moisture.
• Keep away from heat vents, strong sunlight, and high humidity.
• Do not use oil-based polishes, abrasive cleaners, or strong sprays.
• Protect the surface from sharp objects and direct heat.

Glass

• Clean with a soft cloth and a mild, non-abrasive glass cleaner.
• Apply cleaner to the cloth rather than directly onto the object.
• Dry fully to prevent water marks.
• Do not stack glass pieces without protective padding.
• Lift from the base or body rather than a delicate knob or handle.
• Store away from crowded or impact-prone edges.

Resin & Composite Finishes

Resin and composite surfaces are best cared for with minimal intervention.

• Dust with a soft, dry cloth.
• If needed, wipe with a lightly damp cloth and dry immediately.
• Avoid acetone, alcohol, abrasive cleaners, and polishing compounds.
• Keep away from high heat and hot serving vessels.
• Limit prolonged exposure to strong, direct sunlight.
• Protect from sharp objects that may mark the surface.

Placement & Storage

Care begins with where and how an object is placed.

• Use felt protectors beneath stone and metal objects.
• Keep delicate pieces away from unstable edges and high-traffic areas.
• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated interior space.
• Wrap delicate objects in a soft, undyed cloth.
• Do not stack stone, glass, or inlay pieces without protective padding.
• Fold textiles loosely rather than compressing embellished surfaces.

The Character of the Material

No two pieces shaped from natural or handcrafted materials will appear exactly alike. Veining, grain, texture, color, weave, carving, and finish will vary from one object to another.

These distinctions are not imperfections. They are the material’s individual expression—and part of what gives each GAURI KOHLI piece its depth and presence.

Product-Specific Guidance

The instructions provided on the individual product page should always take precedence over this general guide.

For further assistance, please contact us at care@gaurikohli.com.