Upholstered Furniture - Tips to Keep Your Fabric Looking Its Best

Upholstered furniture is comfortable and cozy. Before you bring your new furniture into your home, it is a good idea to treat the fabric with professional fabric protection to increase resistance to common stains and to ease the need for maintenance. Treatment has no smell and is not visible and won’t change the color or texture of the fabric. A helpful tip for upholstered furniture is to occasionally smooth and straighten the slight indentations or “comfort wrinkles” that may appear on rounded backs and arms; a few light pats will refresh the look of your fabric. Learn more tips on keeping your fabric looking its best by taking a look at the sections below. Remember that it is normal for crushed velvets, polysuedes, and novasuedes to have variations in color caused by the angle that light hits the fibers in the fabric.

MINIMIZE WEAR-PREVENT STAINS

• Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent fading

• Rotate furniture in a room from time to time to minimize wear patterns

• Keep flowers and plants out of contact of upholstered furniture

• Rotate pillows and cushions weekly to ensure even wear and compression

• Frequently vacuum dust and dirt particles embedded in the fabric using the soft brush attachment of the vacuum

• Do not leave newspapers or other printed materials that could “bleed” ink on fabric

• Take special care with cigarettes, candles, etc. when in close proximity with upholstered furniture

• Don’t store furniture in damp areas like poorly ventilated basements or place near humidifiers

• Don’t place furniture near wood stoves or fireplaces

• Do not allow moisture to remain on the surface of any furniture

• Cover or remove upholstered pieces when working with paint, bleach, or other harsh products

• Don’t slide furniture - have 2 people pick up the furniture and move it
  

TIPS TO SAFELY SPOT CLEAN FABRICS

• Always blot from the outside to the center of a spot to control the spread of a spill

• Test fabric in a hidden area to make sure color doesn’t come off or that a ring isn’t caused by the cleaner

• If the spot is liquid, use an absorbent white cloth or white paper towel to gently blot up the excess

• If spot is solid, remove excess by lifting it off with a dull table knife or spoon

• Never rub, scrub, or brush a spill

• Never use strong chemicals such as bleach, solvents, or acids unless they are recommended by a specialist

• Never use soapy detergents; they could leave a residue and attract soil

• Use distilled water or plain seltzer water instead of tap water; minerals in tap water can cause rings, even on treated fabric

• Avoid commercially available furniture; many foster quick resoiling

CLEANING CODES
Code “S”
professional cleaning recommended; tell cleaning personnel to clean fabric with pure solvents only and should be cautioned that using water-based or detergent-based cleaners may cause water stains or excessive shrinking; water stains may become permanent and impervious to solvent cleaning agents; prevent surface soil by vacuuming or brushing regularly to remove dust and grime

Code “W”
professional cleaning recommended; clean fabric with water-based agents or foams to remove overall soil; tell cleaning personnel that many cleaning agents are harmful to the color and life of a fabric; prevent surface soil by vacuuming or brushing regularly to remove dust and grime

Code “SW”
professional cleaning recommended; clean with water-based agents, foam, or pure solvents; prevent surface soil by vacuuming or brushing regularly to remove dust and grime

Code “X”
this fabric requires light brushing or vacuuming to prevent accumulation of dust and grime; liquid cleaners of any type may harm these fabrics

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