Simple
guidelines to follow >> How
to Clean Upholstery >> Velvet
Care and Cleaning
Even with meticulous care, fabrics do wear out. However, if you
have selected the proper fabric for your environment and you practice
regular maintenance, you should enjoy years of happy use. Oskar
Huber Furniture & Design also offers a Stainsafe warranty program that can
be purchased along with your order.
SIMPLE GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW
- To prevent fading and discoloration, keep your new upholstery
away from excessive exposure to direct sunlight, hot radiators,
heat outlets, and dampness.
- Regular vacuuming – cannot be stressed enough. You should
vacuum your upholstery with a brush attachment as often as you
dust the furniture.
- Loose cushions and pillows should be flipped, rotated, and
fluffed regularly to keep filling materials evenly distributed
and allow for even wear.
- Pilling is normal for all fabrics when they shed their excess
fiber. Use a fabric shaver to remove unwanted pills.
- Treat all spills, spots and stains immediately.
- Avoid soaking the upholstery during spot cleaning or any cleaning
as this may leave its own stain.
- Treat fabrics with common sense. Keeping food away from fabrics
is just one way to add years of life to your investment.
- Do not unzip the cushions to have only the covers cleaned.
The zippers are there for the manufacturer’s convenience.
The covers may shrink and/or lose their shape when cleaned.
- Select a reputable professional cleaning company when overall
cleaning becomes necessary.
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HOW TO CLEAN UPHOLSTERY
Upholstery fabric is labeled by the mill/manufactuer with one
of four cleaning codes. The code may be found in several locations:
(1) On the fabric swatch in our store; (2) On your order slip; (3)
Depending on the manufacturer of your upholstery, on the deck label
directly under the seat cushion.
For best results, follow these recommended cleaning code instructions
to preserve the beauty of your upholstery pieces. Always read directions
carefully before using any cleaner. Always PRE-TEST
any cleaner in an inconspicuous/unexposed area for color-fastness
and fabric stability. Apply cleaner in an inconspicuous area –
choose an area where there is a pattern or lots of color. After
five minutes, while still wet, take a white towel or cloth and press
down firmly for ten to fifteen seconds. Look for dye transfers on
the towel. If dye transfers to towel, material is not colorfast
for that type of cleaner.
CAUTION: Water-based or detergent-based solvent cleaners may cause
excessive shrinkage. Water stains may become permanent and non-removable
with solvent cleaning agents.
- Code S (Solvent): Clean these fabrics with
pure solvents such as petroleum distillate-based Energine, Carbona,
or Renuzit.
- Code W (Water): Clean these fabrics with water-based
cleaning agents or water-based foam to remove overall soil. Many
household cleaning agents are harmful to the fabrics.
- Code S-W (Solvent/Water): Clean these fabrics
with water-based cleaning agents, foam OR pure solvents. See Code
S and/or Code W above.
- Code X: Clean these fabrics only by vacuuming,
light brushing, or professional cleaners. Water-based foam or
solvent-based cleaning agents of any kind may cause excessive
shrinking or fading.
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VELVET CARE AND CLEANING
Velvet, the most luxurious of all upholstery fabrics, has a softness
and luster created by the thick pile of short erect threads on the
surface of the fabric. A slight rising of the pile may be cause
by normal changes in humidity or abrasion the fabric surface.
Crush marks will appear as a result of normal handling and wear
of the furniture. Crushing of the fabric surface creates random
shading, which is generally considered a desirable expression of
the fabric’s comfort and elegance. If preferred, the crush
marks or modeled surface may be removed in part by brushing or wiping
with a damp cloth. Steaming may be used for some velvet, but a small
area should be pre-tested to determine if the steam will discolor
or damage the pile. Complete removal of crush marks should not be
expected.
At folds or pleats and possibly at seamed areas, certain velvets
tend to expose the background yarns. This condition is characteristic
of these velvets and should not be considered a defective condition
of the fabric of upholstery furniture.
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