Cleaning and maintenance

Lockers metal painted with epoxy powder coating:

• Depending on temperature and concentration, some acidic or alkaline materials may damage or attack the surface after only a few minutes of contact. Taking measures to prevent this from occurring is of utmost importance.
• Preventive care: Protect surfaces with barrier elements, such as films, paper and removable lacquers prior to placement and handling.
• Immediate cleaning: In case of accidental contamination by splashes of strong alkalis or acids, wash with plenty of clear water, especially in cutting areas and cavities, and above all dry thoroughly after each cleaning.
• Regular maintenance: Dirt in the tank or contamination on the profiles can increase the risk of corrosion and loss of brightness or color change, especially in areas close to the coast and in industrial environments.

General recommendations:

• Wash the surface regularly in warm water with soap or detergent with a neutral pH.
• Use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth.
• Rinse with plenty of water immediately and dry thoroughly after each cleaning.
• Preferably cleaning should be carried out avoiding hot or cold temperatures.
• Depending on the environment, the frequency of maintenance cleaning should comply with the following table:

• To clean greases, oils, cutting oils, adhesives… we recommend the use of isopropyl alcohol in combination with turpentine, using a soft cloth. We suggest carrying out a test on non-visible areas to check that the use of unknown solvent mixtures does not affect the surface.
• You should not use the following products: Abrasive materials, tools or anything that can scratch. Acids or alkaline substances that can cause corrosion. Strong solvents, including gasoline, diesel or kerosene. Grease removers, pesticides or lubricants whose composition is unknown. Liquid detergents, oven cleaners or other similar agents. Cleaning products at a temperature above 25ºC. Dry cleaning on a surface contaminated by dust or building materials.

Stainless steel:

Stainless steel cleaning

• Stainless steel resists corrosion well, but very strict cleaning and maintenance rules must be followed to avoid deterioration in appearance.

General cleaning tips

• Apply neutral detergents (non-ionic surfactants and citric acid).
• Apply the detergent with a soft cloth. Abrasive cloths may scratch the surface.
• Rinse with water until detergent is completely removed. Edges without sharp edges and hidden hinges.
• The residues of toiletries: liquid soap, shampoos, shower gel, … can also damage the surface. Rinse with plenty of water after use.
• Limescale stains can be avoided by drying the surface with a soft cloth.

Specific cleaning tips

• Remains of limescale in the water: apply a solution of one part vinegar to three parts water directly on the stains and leave for a few minutes. Then rub with a soft cloth or damp sponge. Wash finally with water and soap for its total rinsing.

Ineligible practices (loss of warranty)

• Apply detergents with abrasive products, or containing: Hydrochloric acid (salfuman), sodium hypochlorite (bleach) or formic acid.
• Use utensils, metal scouring pads or abrasive sponges.
• Spray the detergent directly on the surface, because the liquid can enter the openings or crevices and cause damage.
• Use anti-scale or descaling products. They are not suitable for cleaning stainless steel.
• Using silver cleaners: precipitates chlorides on the surface of the stainless steel. This will produce oxidation on the surface both inside and outside.

Important note to avoid (loss of warranty)

• A common practice is to use bleach or descalers in bathrooms, leaving them to act for a period of time. This practice generates the release of chlorine-containing gases and together with the condensation of water on the surface precipitates chlorides on the surface of the stainless steel. This will produce oxidation on the surface both inside and outside.

Phenolic:

Phenolic compact

• The phenolic compact is highly wear resistant, making it ideal for applications with a high rate of use and frequent cleaning.
• The non-porous surface of the phenolic compact repels dirt. The locker can be easily cleaned, either with normal chemical detergents or with disinfectant products, to which the material is unalterable. It is also easy to clean graffiti, for which an organic solvent (acetone, toluene, xylene and similar) can be used without risk of color alteration. It is also resistant to food residues and dyes as they do not affect either the properties or the appearance of the phenolic compact.

Aluminum profiles

• Mild soap and warm water can be safely applied to any of the aluminum finishes. But steel wool, strong acids and abrasive cleaners should never be applied interchangeably; instead, strong cleaners used properly are highly effective.
• Mixing different cleaners can cause damage to aluminum finishes and be hazardous to the health of the user.

Stainless steel parts

• In addition to being elegant and resistant, stainless steel is a material that is easy to maintain. With proper and routine cleaning, it is possible to maintain its original characteristics unaltered, preserving its beauty, hygiene and durability. The secret of this cleaning lies in the use of appropriate products and procedures and in the careful handling of the product.
• Stainless steel’s best friends are soap, mild and/or neutral detergents and ammonia solutions (household cleaners) diluted in warm water. Apply the material with a soft cloth or fine nylon sponge, rinse with plenty of water and then dry using a soft cloth.
• Never use materials containing chlorides, as they are contraindicated as they cause oxidation. Hydrochloric acid, or iron products in prolonged contact, are also not recommended. Never use common steel cleaners for stainless steel. Never use steel scouring pads, as they may leave residues on the stainless steel surface, thus compromising its corrosion resistance.
• For the maintenance of stainless steel products, always try to use the lightest possible cleaning method; be patient and, before carrying out more aggressive procedures, repeat the operation a reasonable number of times.

PVC legs

• The smooth surface means that PVC is extremely easy to clean using a commonly used household detergent mixed with water.
• This means that the product is resistant to dirt because there are no pores for dirt to adhere to.

General indications

• Test on a small area so as not to make a mistake. The few moments set aside for figuring out a cleaner on a small part of the finish is a good measure to avoid major disappointments. Use the same concentration and technique as planned for the entire job. Let the cleaner stay in place for the same amount of time. Let it dry and check for stains. Test lacquered and painted finishes for softening and possible dissolution.
• Pay attention to the frequency of cleaning. Where optimum appearance is desired and frequent cleaning is required, use mild cleaners. Abrasive cleaners may abrade the harder finish.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Cleaners should not be applied interchangeably. Changing concentrations and temperatures or prolonging the exposure of the finish to the detergent to accelerate cleaning can produce disastrous results.
• Do not vary the concentration. In most cases, increasing or decreasing the concentration of the cleaner from that recommended by the manufacturer leads to very disappointing results.
• Avoid extreme temperatures. Heat accelerates chemical reactions. The cleaner may become excessively active or its solvent may evaporate before the job is completed. In both cases, the metal may be scratched or stained. On the other hand, cleaning should not be performed at very low temperatures; low temperature reduces the chemical activity and possibly will totally impede the action of the cleaning agent. For best results, outdoor cleaning should be done in moderate temperature, cloudy or shaded days.
• Remove the cleaner completely. Water-based cleaners should be rinsed with clear water, after which the part or area should be allowed to dry or dried thoroughly. Cleaners containing wax, oil or silicones should be removed with a dry cloth. Do not leave any remaining cleaner in cracks or corners.

Wood:

• Regularly dust your wood finishes to avoid dust build-up, which can cause the wood to lose its luster. To do this, wipe the entire surface of the wood with a damp cloth, following the direction of the grain. Then wipe dry with a cloth. Do not allow water to remain on the surface of the wood.

Important tips

• Clean wood surfaces by wiping them with a damp cloth, always in the direction of the grain.
• Use coasters under hot objects, such as coffee cups. Prevent wooden surfaces from being in contact with other extremely cold or hot objects.
• Lift objects to move them, do not drag them.
• Immediately remove any liquid that accidentally falls on wood surfaces by wiping it dry.
• Place a protective envelope on the surface of the table on which you are going to write.
• Always keep your product level on the floor to prevent objects from sliding on wooden surfaces.

Spot cleaning

• Water: Sponge over the surface to dry it.
• Drinks: Wipe with a damp cloth to remove liquid and then wipe dry.
• Grease: Damp sponge with cleaner, rinse and allow to dry.
• Glue, nail polish: Contact a professional cleaner. Most of these products are removed with acetone.
• Ink, permanent marker: Clean immediately with alcohol or lemon juice. Some permanent marker pens may leave a mark on the wood if cleaning is not done properly.

Plastic (PVC):

Important tips

• To remove the dirt that accumulates over time, simply use water spray and wipe with a cloth to remove the dirt and dry the water.
• If the PVC surface has greasy dirt, for example caused by a lubricant, use lukewarm water with an anti-grease detergent, such as the one used to clean the dishes. With the help of a cloth you will remove the dirt without much effort.
• Perform cleaning tasks on a regular basis, so as not to allow dirt to accumulate.
• Aliphatic benzene can be used for cleaning single component glues or paints.

Ineligible practices (loss of warranty)

• Do not use aggressive products such as ammonia, as this could damage the protective acrylate layer of the PVC surface.
• Do not use synthetic resin or acetone based detergents.
• Do not use scouring pads or other utensils that may scratch the PVC surface, it is best to always use a soft cloth.
• Before cleaning with a product, perform a small test on an inconspicuous area of the PVC surface.

Methacrylate:

• For a correct cleaning of methacrylate, abrasive sponges or detergents, solvents, glass cleaners or any product containing alcohol are NOT recommended, as this can cause serious damage and cause the loss of one of its most important properties, sharpness. Never, independently of the nature of the stain, we should clean the methacrylate with a product of this type. We do not trust with the glass cleaners, since they could have some components that damage this material. Methacrylate has a transparency of 92%, and it will remain so as long as we respect and follow the appropriate recommendations for use.
• It is necessary to clean the methacrylate with a soft cloth or a rag, the best is cotton, which is clean, slightly damp and apply the right amount of neutral soap if necessary. At this point we must clarify one thing, when we apply soap it is better to apply too little than too much, since it will be more difficult to finish the cleaning and remove the excess soap. We do not recommend dry cleaning of the methacrylate, since we can scratch the material and lose transparency, in addition to wiping the surface with a dry cloth can leave marks that are then perceived.

Powder

• If we only want to remove dust, it will be sufficient to wipe with a cloth slightly moistened with distilled water.
• If the PVC surface has greasy dirt, for example caused by a lubricant, use lukewarm water with an anti-grease detergent, such as the one used to clean the dishes. With the help of a cloth you will remove the dirt without much effort.

Stains

• To remove stains we can use a neutral soap, either for hands or a dishwasher, as long as it is neutral.

Adhesives

• If we want to remove the stain of some adhesive that has remained adhered to the methacrylate, we can rub with a cloth dampened with a little alcohol. But never touch the edge, since it produces an effect called crashing, which consists of the appearance of cracks that will increase in size.

Polypropylene resin:

• To keep resin furniture, both indoor and outdoor, looking as good as new, it is necessary to carry out a good maintenance job using the right products.
• To clean resin furniture, a stain remover suitable for different surfaces should be used.

Steps to clean polypropylene resin furniture

• Spread the product over the entire surface, rubbing the entire surface with a cloth.
• To rinse the product, first sponge with plenty of water.
• Then, repeat the same operation with a damp cloth.
• Finally, dry the surface with a piece of paper.

A.B.S.:

What is ABS?

ABS is the name given to a family of thermoplastics. It is called an engineering plastic because it is a plastic that is more complex to manufacture and process than ordinary plastics.

ABS consists of three polymers:

1. Acrylonitrile, high chemical resistance to the environment and aging.
2. Butadiene, high impact resistance and good mechanical properties.
3. Styrene, high quality finish in appearance and gloss.

This mixture of properties, called synergy, indicates that the final product contains better properties than the sum of them.

Cleaning and maintenance of ABS finishes

The ABS should be cleaned using only soap and water. The use of any other chemical product such as chlorides, acetones, degreasers, etc., accelerates the aging of the device and gives it a yellowish color.

Cleaning should be applied with a soft cloth or paper to avoid scratches and gloss degradation.

Locks:

TELEC lock

We recommend changing the batteries annually to ensure the good condition of the lock. Batteries, after long periods of time installed, can be damaged and damage the lock, especially in very hot environments.

• Do not clean the locks with cleaning products containing hydrochloric acid, bleach or corrosive components, especially on metal parts.