James Cummings has a lot of experience restoring different types of materials after emergencies — including upholstered furniture. As general manager of Arizona’s Servpro of Ahwatukee & South Tempe, a local branch of Servpro, the national fire and water cleanup and restoration company, Cummings explains the basics of do-it-yourself and professional upholstery cleaning, including proper daily care.
DIY Upholstery Care Basics
Fabrics. Proper care means longer wear. One of the first things you should know is that all upholstery fabrics are cleanable if they do not shrink and the colors do not bleed. Because of the multitude of fabrics used in upholstering, you cannot assume the material is guaranteed against wear, shrinkage, and fading unless it is specifically marked by the manufacturer and/or your local retailer.
Zippers. Zippers on cushions are not necessarily indications that the cushion covers can be removed to launder or dry clean. Zippers are installed to save you money in maintenance and labor costs on cushion repair. To prevent shrinkage, it is highly recommended that cushion covers never be removed. Instead, they should be cleaned in the same manner as the rest of the upholstery — by vacuuming.
For day to day care, follow these tips:
1. To keep your upholstered furniture clean and looking its best at all times, weekly vacuuming is important — especially on the cushions. Routine vacuuming will prolong the life of the fabric as well as extend the time between professional cleanings.
2. If at all possible, keep furniture out of direct sunlight. The ultraviolet rays will fade any fabric.
3. Never brush fabric with a stiff fiber or steel brush since they will have a tendency to distort fabric.
4. If cushions are reversible, reverse them each week when vacuuming.
5. Always be careful when doing upholstery spot removal. Pre-test the product you are planning to use in an inconspicuous place on the back of the furniture to make sure there won’t be any damage. Included in the Servpro Home Spotting Kit is a carpet and furniture cleaning synthetic detergent shampoo (#448) that will give you excellent results. Be sure to pre-test it.
Professional Upholstery Cleaning
If you are in doubt about what do-it-yourself cleaning could do to your upholstery fabric, dry cleaning is the safest method. Servpro franchise professionals have a specially designed machine that injects and immediately extracts dry cleaning solvent under pressure. With this cleaning method, shrinkage and color bleeding are not a problem. Dry cleaning is also the best method of cleaning antique velvet, glazed chintz, and some of the more delicate silks and satins.
The proper knowledge of fiber care and identification is the key to safe cleaning. Servpro franchise professionals employ nine methods of upholstery cleaning. The best method for upholstery cleaning depends on the type of upholstery, type of fibers, age and condition of the piece, how the upholstery is soiled, the type of soil, and other factors, including your own needs as an upholstery owner.
When you are getting your furniture, carpets, or draperies professionally cleaned, always make sure the work is being performed according to the specifications on your furnishings’ warranties. Take the time to read your warranty and ask questions about what is going to take place.
