Upholstery Cleaning Tips
Chenille, cotton, acrylic, polyester... theres almost as many fabric types as ladies have shoes! When it comes to cleaning, each and every fabric type, demands a different approach.
Chenille is a delicate fabric and requires special attention when cleaning. On upholstery it presents a special challenge because of its pile and nap. The pile refers to the short yarns woven into the backing of the fabric that create the plush surface. The nap refers to the direction of the pile. On furniture, the nap should run downwards on seat backs and towards the front on seat cushions. Gently blot up stains as quickly as possible with a clean, white cotton towel being careful not to rub the fabric. Upholstery should be cleaned by hand using a good quality foam shampoo. Work in small sections, lightly and evenly wetting the chenille fabric with foam, then blot with a clean white terry towel. Once dry, you can use a very soft brush (like a baby’s hairbrush) for brushing the nap of the fabric. Taking this measure will keep the pile in good condition and help your chenille fabric retain its hallmark softness.
Cotton is a good strong fabric that is used in a variety of clothing and home furnishings. It is absorbent, easy to work with but it has a tendency to wrinkle very easily. Before cleaning cotton upholstery, its wise to read the manufacturers cleaning instructions, which are usually found on a label or tag under the seating area. On upholstery, flat weave cotton can be wet cleaned however its important to watch out for colour bleed, so its advisable to test a small area first.
Acrylic is a synthetic fabric that is strong and durable. For a family with children and pets acrylic fabric on upholstery is a good option. Acrylic fabric is usually fine to wet clean but again its advisable to test a small area first.
Polyester is a popular synthetic fiber that is easy to care for. It is strong and durable but unfortunately not the easiest fabric to remove stains from.
Linen is a popular fabric for clothing and home use. Its a natural fibre which can be hand washed or dry cleaned. Linen fabric on upholstery can usually be wet cleaned without any problems.
With any upholstery fabric, before attempting to clean it yourself, always read the manufacturers instructions which can normally be found on a label or tag under the seating area.