Page 41/41 · 2010 Frequently asked questions
Sea freight from Foshan to Singapore takes 10–14 days, plus 3–5 days for customs clearance and final delivery. Allow another 7 days if your sofa needs custom fabric or dimensions. Lift booking with your MCST should be done 5 working days ahead. Expect to pay S$60–150 for doorstep delivery above the standard rate.
Blot — never rub — with a dry microfibre cloth within 60 seconds. Mix 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and a drop of dish soap. Dab, then air-dry with the air-con on. Avoid steam cleaners; they push stains deeper and void most 2-year surface warranties. A S$25 fabric protector spray helps future spills.
Unbox immediately and air it on the balcony for 4–6 hours, but never in direct rain. Place 2–3 silica gel packs under each cushion. Run the dehumidifier to 50% RH overnight. Midhill's export crates use low-moisture timber plus desiccants matched to cargo volume — keep that packaging for any future warranty claims.
Go 200x300 cm minimum so the front legs of the sofa sit on the rug. Anything smaller looks like a doormat. In Punggol or Jurong open-plan layouts, try 250x350 cm to anchor both the sofa and coffee table. Low-pile wool or flatweave cotton handles our humidity better than thick shag rugs.
Only if you watch TV more than 3 hours daily or have back issues. Manual recliners run S$2,200–3,500; powered versions S$3,800–6,500. Recliners are heavy (85–110 kg), so confirm your lift access. Leather upholstery lasts longer than fabric under the motor's moving parts. Expect 7–10 years of daily use.
Check the underside and inside arm panels — veneer looks like a printed photo, solid wood shows continuous grain. Tap it: solid wood sounds dull, MDF hollow. Real hardwood weighs 18–25 kg per sofa leg area. Midhill's solid-wood frames ship with batch records and dated photos buyers can request for their own order.
Reputable makers like Midhill offer 10-year structural, 2-year surface, and lifetime refinishing. Most local retailers give only 1–3 years total. Always read the exclusions — high-pH cleaners and silicone polishes usually void the surface clause. Keep the written cleaning instruction that ships with the order; you'll need it for claims.
Climate-controlled storage only — non-AC units hit 85% RH and will mould fabric in 3 weeks. Wrap the sofa in breathable cotton, never plastic. Place it on pallets, not concrete. Budget S$120–220 monthly for a 5x5 ft unit. Inspect every 2 weeks; silica packs need recharging in the microwave monthly.
Measure every turn with a tape, including the lift car (typically 1.1 x 1.4 x 2.3 m). Older resale flats in Bedok and Queenstown sometimes have 0.95 m corridor turns — anything over 200 cm deep won't pass. Most Singapore furniture stores offer on-site measurement for free if you order above S$2,000. Always confirm before paying.
A 150–160 cm arc floor lamp with a paper or linen shade keeps sightlines open over a low-back sofa (under 80 cm). Black or brushed brass bases match Scandinavian oak frames. Place the lamp 25 cm behind the sofa arm for reading light. Budget S$180–420 from Castlery or HipVan for solid pieces that last.