Download our care and maintenance guidelines to keep your surfaces looking their best.
It doesn’t happen often, but if you have not regularly cleaned your FENIX® surface correctly over time, dirt from multiple sources can build up inside the microstructure and cause it to change appearance. If you are experiencing this issue, follow this guidance to clean your FENIX® surface.
Has something spilled on your FENIX® ultra-matte surface? Learn how to remove tough stains in just a few steps.
Cleaning Formica® Brand Products
Three steps for every day care and maintenance of Formica® Brand Products
1. Use a clean, damp, nonabrasive cotton cloth and a mild liquid detergent or household cleaner. Clean the soiled area using a rotating motion.
2. Next, rinse with clean water, using a clean, non-abrasive cotton cloth. Please take care not to flood the laminate, especially near seams, since water can penetrate and cause the substrate to swell.
3. Dry the surface with a soft, clean, non-abrasive cotton cloth.
For special cleaning instructions, explore the links below. Note, some links may direct you to our website for documentation www.formicadocs.info.
Cleaning FENIX® Innovative Materials
Taking Care of FENIX® Means Taking Care of its Structure
If you look at FENIX through a microscope, you will see the structure that causes light to reflect at a variety of angles. This is what we recognize as a matte appearance.
To clean the structure, an essential step is rinsing regularly with water as it avoids that anything stays behind in it. In this section, you will find some simple but important guidelines to help you care for your FENIX® surface:
- Everyday Cleaning
- Dos and Don’ts
- Removing Stains
- Deep Cleaning
- Thermal Healing
Is Your Matte Surface FENIX®?
Before following these instructions, please verify whether your matte surface is FENIX®. Be aware that not all similar-looking matte surfaces have the same resistance to cleaning liquids. When in doubt, the supplier of your piece of furniture will be able to clarify if it is FENIX®.
Everyday Cleaning and Removal of Stains
Taking care of FENIX® means taking care of its structure. Usually warm water is highly effective. As FENIX® is a strong material, you can also use any household cleaner, like all-purpose cleaners, disinfectants, degreasers or limescale removers. If needed, even acetone can be safely used (always follow the health and safety instructions on the bottle).
To avoid damaging the structure, don’t scrub your FENIX® surface with abrasive cream, a scouring pad or a hard brush. In the long term, doing this might lead to a glossy spot on your matte surface. However, a wet melamine eraser can be used to remove a tougher stain.
As a final step, always rinse with plenty of warm water and wipe dry with a clean cloth. The water removes dirt, residues from cleaning liquids and particles of a melamine eraser, that could otherwise stay behind in the structure. The clean cloth absorbs water and therefore avoids limescale residues that may cause a change in appearance.
Cleaning Do’s
- Use any household cleaner or just warm water
- Always end by rinsing with warm water
- Dry with a clean cloth to avoid limescale residue
Cleaning Don’ts
- Don’t use abrasive cream
- Don’t use a scouring pad or hard brush (you can use a melamine eraser)
Cleaning your FENIX® surface in this way helps you to enjoy it for years and years to come!
