How to Look After the Luxury Features in Your Home
Whenever you first install a new luxury feature in your home, it’s very exciting. Adding swimming pools, gyms, saunas, Jacuzzis and other premium features can make you feel like you’re really moving up in the world, but they come with one potential downside: the maintenance and servicing required.
Over time, these more complicated facilities and high-end materials can experience wear and tear and may eventually require repairs. So, how are you supposed to manage them without feeling like they’re more trouble than they’re worth?
If you’re in this position, these simple maintenance tips can help.
Seal and Protect Natural Stone Surfaces
You’ll want to start by sealing and protecting natural stone surfaces. High-end materials like travertine, marble and onyx look incredible, but many natural stones are porous and can be susceptible to staining or damage from acidic substances such as citrus.
The best way to protect these surfaces is to use an appropriate premium impregnating sealer, following the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding application and how frequently it should be reapplied. This can help prevent liquids and other substances from penetrating the surface and causing damage.
If you have a deep stain, you may need to use a suitable stone poultice to draw out the discolouration and help restore the material to its natural appearance. Always check that any cleaning or restoration product is appropriate for the particular type of stone before use.
Calibrate Wine Cellar Climate Controls
Luxury wine cellars are becoming increasingly popular, allowing collectors to store and display their favourite bottles in carefully controlled conditions.
Wine cellars require stable temperature and humidity levels to protect their contents. Unfortunately, dust can accumulate on cooling equipment and condenser coils over time, potentially causing systems to work less efficiently.
Regular maintenance is therefore important, particularly when the cellar contains valuable bottles. You should also periodically calibrate your digital hygrometers and check smart thermostats to ensure temperature and humidity readings remain accurate.
The last thing you want is unnoticed fluctuations potentially affecting an expensive collection of vintage wine.
Fix Your Sauna
Adding a sauna to your home isn’t just a luxury; it can also provide somewhere to relax and unwind. Once the sauna is in place, you can enjoy a relaxing session after going to the gym or at the end of a long day.
The less glamorous side is sauna maintenance. Whenever you combine moisture, heat and wood, regular care is important, even when the timber has been specifically selected for use in a sauna environment.
Keep the sauna clean and allow it to dry and ventilate properly after use. Depending on the type of sauna and how frequently it’s used, you may also want to arrange periodic professional cleaning and servicing to help prevent moisture, mould and hygiene problems and ensure the equipment continues working correctly.
Shield Custom Textiles
If you have custom textiles in your home, it’s worth making an additional effort to protect them. Bespoke curtains, rugs and upholstered furniture can be expensive to repair or replace if they become damaged.
You need to be particularly careful when it comes to UV exposure, as prolonged sunlight can cause colours to fade over time. Architectural UV-filtering film on windows can help reduce exposure to some of the most damaging rays, particularly in rooms with large areas of glazing.
As an additional benefit, reducing UV exposure through windows can also help protect your skin.
A little preventative maintenance can go a long way when it comes to luxury features and finishes. Whether you’re looking after natural stone, a carefully controlled wine cellar, a home sauna or bespoke furnishings, following the appropriate care instructions can help protect your investment and keep your home looking its best for longer.
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