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 any particular fabric.
Heat and Sunlight. Placing upholstery close by to heat sources or in direct sunlight for long period 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. Most leathers have a surface lacquer 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, handsoap 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 usually 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 jewelery. Upholstery is also vulnerable to pets and childrens toys and by bumping with vacuum cleaners. The main areas that suffer wear on any upholstered furniture are the tops and front of the arms, the top of the inside back where the head rests and the front border which is vulnerable to heel marks.
