General Care & Cleaning: Fabric

GENERAL CARE AND CLEANING - Indoor Fabric

The following information about the fabric care has been compiled by the Decorative Fabrics Association of America.

FABRICS MUST BE PROTECTED FROM THE SUN.

Draperies should be lined, and also interlines, when fragile fabrics are used. Shades should be drawn during the day, and awnings should be used whenever possible. Window glass magnifies the destructive elements in the rays of the sun. The winter sun and reflection from the snow are even more harmful than the summer sun. Trees and shrubbery helps protect windows.

Colors can fade by oxidation, “gas fading,” if fabrics are kept in storage for too long a period without airing. Some colors are more fragile than others. Impurities in air may cause as much fading as the direct rays of the sun.

USE A REPUTABLE DRY CLEANER WHO SPECIALIZES IN HOME FURNISHINGS.

Dust has impurities which affects fabrics. Vacuum fabrics frequently. Dry cleaning should be done at regular intervals before excessive soil has accumulated. Very few fabrics are washable. Each Interior Designer should recommend a dry cleaner to their clients. Clients should not try to remove spots themselves. See “Cleaning Codes.”

BE TOLERANT OF NORMAL FLUCTUATIONS IN LENGTHS OF DRAPERIES.

Few fabrics are completely stable. Fabrics breathe and absorb moisture, resulting in stretching and shrinking. It is reasonable to expect as much as a 3% change in any drapery length. In a 3 yard length (108 inches) this would amount to3 inches up or down under various conditions. Fabrics placed over or near heating and cooling vents or humidity may react to a much greater degree.

FABRICS WEAR OUT – THEY ARE NOT INDESTRUCTIBLE.

Wear will vary with the amount of use. Some weaves are stronger than others. A favorite chair will not last as long as a seldom used show piece.

APPLIED FINISHES.

Finishes help fabrics resist spotting, but they are not necessarily the end-all to every problem. Light colors are likely to benefit most. Dining room chairs will soil no matter what is used. A finish does not eliminate the necessity of properly caring for fabrics. Spots should still be given immediate attention by a professional dry cleaner.

SYNTHETIC FIBERS (Man Made).

Synthetic yarns have made impressive strides in advancing the technology of weaving, but they cannot perform miracles. Performance will vary with the construction of the fabric and its applications.

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CLEANING CODES

Reprinted from the National Association of Furniture Manufacturers (NAFM).

Clean this fabric with the foam only of a water-based cleaning agent to remove all overall soil. Many household cleaning solvents are harmful to the color and life of a fabric. Cleaning by a professional furniture cleaning service ONLY is recommended. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended.

Clean this product with pure solvents (petroleum distillate-based products, i.e. Energine, Carbona, Renuzit), or similar products. Use in a well-ventilated room. Cleaning by a professional cleaning service ONLY is recommended. CAUTION: Use of water-based or detergent- based solvent cleaners may cause excessive shrinking. Water stains may become permanent and unable to be removed with solvent cleaning agents. Avoid products containing Carbon Tetrachloride as it is highly toxic. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended.

SW or WS

Clean this fabric with the foam only of a water-based cleaning agent or with a pure solvent in a well-ventilated room (petroleum distillate- based products, i.e., Energine, Carbona, Renuzit), or similar products may be used. Cleaning by a professional furniture cleaning service ONLY is recommended. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommended.

Clean this fabric only by vacuuming or light brushing to prevent accumulation of dust or grime. Water-based foam or solvent-based cleaning agents of any kind may cause excessive shrinking or fading,