|
In order to help you with the care and
maintenance of your upholstered furniture, please read the following
guidelines.
Fabric Cleaning
All
fabrics are constructed from different mixtures of natural and manmade
fibres and for that reason it is recommended that you contact a
specialist upholstery cleaning company. The effectiveness of a
specialist will vary depending on the severity of the dirt or stain.
Regular cleaning either by light brushing or vacuuming with the
appropriate attachment, on a weekly basis, can help to prevent a build
up of dust and dirt. Fabrics with a pile, for example velvets, should be
brushed in the direction of the pile. Attend to any spillages as quickly
as possible, by absorbing with a clean cloth or kitchen towel, but do
not rub. More stubborn stains can be treated with a white, clean, damp
cloth using hand soap as a last resort. Do not soak the fabric. Always
seek specialist advice before using any cleaners designed for use on
upholstery fabrics, as they may not all be suitable for a particular
fabric.
Heat and Sunlight
Placing
upholstery close to heat sources or in direct sunlight for long
periods will cause damage to the fabric or leather. Most covers will fade
and leathers especially will dry out and crack.
Cushions
All
fabric cushions should be turned regularly to distribute wear. Fibre and
feather cushions should be 'plumped' daily in order to give the fillings
a chance to recover.
Leather
Leathers should be kept from a build up of dust and dirt. Some leathers
have a surface finish that will help protect from stains and spills.
These can be cleaned using a white, clean damp cloth and a circular
motion over the stain. On more stubborn stains, hand soap may be used
and then removed with a damp, clean cloth. Do not soak the leather. In
the case of Nubucks or unfinished surfaces, a stain resistant finish is
sometimes applied in the tannery. In these cases, if a spillage occurs,
absorb with an absorbent cloth or kitchen towel and do not rub liquid
into the leather surface. Regular cleaning of Nubucks should be done
with a soft brush or by vacuuming with the appropriate attachment on a
weekly basis.
General Tips
Fabrics
and leathers are vulnerable to tearing and scratching by items such as
belt and shoe buckles and jewellery. Upholstery is also vulnerable to
pets and children's toys and by bumping with vacuum cleaners. The main
areas that suffer wear on any upholstered furniture are the tops and
fronts of the arms, the top of the inside back where the head rests and
the front border which is vulnerable to heel marks.
|