Cleaning and caring for protective film – what works and what does not

After application the adhesive needs 24 hours to adhere fully. During that time you do not clean the surface wet, put nothing on it and do not load it. That applies equally to table, worktop, front and door.

After that you can use and clean the surface normally again. If you apply in the evening, the table is free again the next evening.

You care for the film as you would care for the surface beneath it: a soft cloth, water and, if needed, a mild cleaner. You wipe off fingerprints and splashes, and take up dust with a dry or slightly damp cloth.

That applies to all four films. Wipe without much pressure and in one direction so you do not rub dirt across the surface. Warm water with a drop of washing-up liquid dissolves greasy spots.

For streaks, a second pass with a clean, dry microfibre cloth helps. Do not flood the film with water: on tabletops and fronts a damp cloth is enough, so that nothing runs under the edge and the adhesive at the rim does not get unnecessarily wet.

Especially on dark or glossy surfaces you see cleaning marks quickly. So wipe with light coming from the side, then you can tell whether streaks remain, and do not buff with pressure.

No abrasive cleaners, no scouring pads and no blades. They scratch the film. Scrapers used to clean hobs do not belong on the film either.

For solvents and harsh cleaners there is no approval from us. Stick to water and mild cleaner. If you want to be sure, try a cleaner first on an inconspicuous spot or on an offcut of the film.

And the film replaces neither coaster nor chopping board: hot pots and pans belong on a coaster, and cutting is done on a board.

Steam cleaners and hot cloths do not belong on the film either. Without a data sheet we cannot promise anything about temperatures; so stick to water at normal temperature.

Matte is matte-transparent. If you rub it with polish or a polishing cloth, it becomes glossy at that spot because the matte surface is rubbed smooth. So for Matte: do not polish.

You wipe off fingerprints with a dry cloth. On Matte they are less noticeable than on high gloss, but they do not disappear entirely.

The same applies to cleaning cloths with wax or care additives: they can make the matte surface glossy in places. Use a plain cloth without additives and water.

Fine, superficial scratches such as crockery, keys or pens leave can even out again in the surface of Premium Clear and High Gloss. Deep cuts, notches or damage to the film itself are not repaired by this.

With Clear and Matte, fine scratches stay visible. That is not a defect but the difference between the films. The comparison shows which one suits your surface.

If the film is heavily marked at some point, you peel it off and apply a new piece. The surface beneath is as it was.

If you are unsure whether a scratch is in the film or in the surface beneath, send us a photo. We will take a look and tell you how to proceed.