| During my long career in the furniture business I've | | | | causing spills and soil to sit on the surface of the fiber |
| often been asked, "What is the proper way to care | | | | instead of migrating to the fiber's interior. |
| for my fabric?" After all, you've purchased your dream | | | | Today's fiber protection products are free of ozone |
| furniture piece but you're terrified to use it out of fear | | | | damaging chemicals, and most are hypoallergenic and |
| of damaging it. But you don't have to live in fear! After | | | | invisible to the eye. Some even provide additional UV |
| extensive research and testing I have found the | | | | protection from color fading caused by intense light. |
| following guidelines and suggestions to be helpful. | | | | One of the greatest benefits of fabric protection |
| Upholstered Furniture | | | | products is that they come with specific written |
| Because of the wide variety of fabrics and fiber | | | | warranties that provide peace of mind. |
| combinations, there is no guarantee that these | | | | Whether your new upholstery has been fabric |
| methods will be completely successful and I | | | | protected or not, you should follow the same basic |
| recommend that a professional upholstery cleaner be | | | | guidelines in cleaning liquid spills or surface soil that can't |
| contacted in particular cases. However, these simple | | | | be brushed off (such as newspaper ink). |
| solutions will keep your new upholstery crisp and clean | | | | Fabric Cleaning Codes |
| for years! | | | | Before attempting to clean a spill or spot on your |
| - Vacuum at least once a week to remove grit that | | | | furniture, you should identify the fabric and the correct |
| can cause abrasion, and be sure to dust vacuum the | | | | cleaning method recommended by the manufacturer. |
| top surfaces as often as possible. Professional | | | | This information is represented by a cleaning code (W, |
| cleaning is the best way to make a slightly soiled sofa | | | | S, WS, or X) often found under a cushion, on the |
| look new again, but weekly vacuuming will make | | | | bottom of the furniture or on the manufacturer's tag. If |
| professional cleaning a less frequent event. (Never | | | | you cannot find this information, contact your |
| brush any fabric with a stiff fiber or metal brush, since | | | | salesperson at the furniture store where the item was |
| they're destructive to the fibers. Instead, use your | | | | purchased. |
| vacuum attachments like the upholstery brush or the | | | | W - Spot clean only with water-based shampoo or |
| attachment for dusting draperies and furniture. The | | | | foam upholstery cleaner. |
| latter brush has longer bristles and is less abrasive to | | | | S - Spot clean only with water-free cleaning solvent. |
| your upholstery fabric. It may be your best option if | | | | Do not overwet. DO NOT USE WATER. |
| your fabric deserves a softer brushing.) | | | | WS - Spot clean with upholstery shampoo, foam from |
| - Reverse the cushions each week after vacuuming. | | | | a mild detergent, or a mild dry cleaning solvent. Do not |
| Rearrange the furniture occasionally to ensure even | | | | overwet. |
| wear of the cushions and other areas. | | | | X - Clean only by vacuuming or light brushing with a |
| Cushions and pillows filled with down or similar | | | | non-metallic brush. DO NOT USE WATER OR DRY |
| cushioning material should be hand-fluffed and | | | | CLEANING SOLVENTS. Do not use a foam or liquid |
| reversed regularly to retain their original softness and | | | | cleaner of any type. |
| resiliency. | | | | Never apply cleaning solutions to visible areas of your |
| - Protect fabrics from the sun. Fabrics should not be | | | | upholstery fabric without first testing on areas that are |
| placed in direct sunlight because the ultraviolet light will | | | | not visible. It is important to pretest for color loss and |
| cause the fibers to degenerate and colors to fade. | | | | fabric compatibility. |
| Occasionally dyes can fade from impurities in the air | | | | Cleaning Instructions |
| as well, but protection from the sun is a good way to | | | | As a general rule, when a spill occurs, it is important to |
| prevent premature loss of color. | | | | clean the fabric immediately. The longer a spot |
| - Keep pets off the furniture. Pet urine and pet body oil | | | | remains, the harder it is to remove. It may even |
| can be difficult to remove. | | | | become permanent. |
| - Use proper care with structural weave fabrics | | | | Blot, don't rub. If the spill is still "fresh", use a clean, dry |
| (where the design is created by the weave) to protect | | | | and very absorbent 100% cotton cloth. Should you |
| against snags. These fabrics may be cleaned by | | | | have to use paper towels to blot out spills, be sure the |
| sprinkling dry powder cleaner over the fabric, spreading | | | | paper towel (or cloth) is white, as colors in the towel |
| it uniformly and letting it stand for the recommended | | | | may, when applied to a wet surface, fade onto the |
| period before vacuuming with gentle suction. | | | | upholstery. Color from one fabric can rub off onto |
| (However, I do recommend professional cleaning with | | | | another fabric, even when dry -- a process known in |
| stains on a woven fabric.) | | | | the industry as "crocking". |
| - Caution those wearing clothing with transferable | | | | If blotting with a dry cloth doesn't quite finish the job |
| dyes, such as blue jeans, that the dye could transfer | | | | and you have cleaning directions from the furniture |
| onto light-colored furniture. | | | | manufacturer, follow those. If none are available, use |
| Fabric Cleaning Guide | | | | the instructions provided here. |
| Today's new fabric treatments improve the chances | | | | I hope this information has been insightful. Use these |
| of your fabric's survival. Fabric protection products are | | | | tools when necessary, but most importantly, enjoy |
| usually applied by the retail store for an additional cost. | | | | your upholstered piece -- it was meant to be used! |
| Most of the various brands work the same way by | | | | |