Caring for Fabric Upholstery

• Check the Fabric Care Label. Always follow the instructions on the Fabric Care Label.
• Vacuum your furniture every week. All furniture needs to be dusted at least once a week. Dust is abrasive; if you don’t dust your furniture regularly the upholstery will wear rapidly. Microscopic particles of dirt and dust land on your furniture everyday. If they aren’t removed these particles will eventually work their way deep into the fibres of the fabric. Every time you use your furniture the fabric moves. Movement causes particles of dust and dirt in the fabric to rub against the fibres, resulting in tiny frays and breaks. This damage accumulates over time leaving the fabric faded, weak and susceptible to tears. The best way to remove dust is to vacuum the furniture using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. To avoid stretching the material, use a low suction setting.
• Maintain the fabric and fillings. Plump and rotate loose cushions regularly and remove pilling as it occurs. Pilling occurs as result of normal daily wear: when the surface of the fabric is rubbed, loose fibres on the surface can twist upon themselves, forming tiny balls or `pills`. Pilling can be removed using a pilling tool. These are available from most haberdashery stores. Removing pill removes the unsightly pill balls; it does not affect strength or performance of the fabric.
• Clean your furniture regularly. Dusting removes loose surface debris, but not the dirt and perspiration embedded in the deeper fibres. Dusting must be backed up by cleaning. All furniture must be cleaned regularly. If it is not, dirt and perspiration penetrate the fibres of the upholstery weakening the fabric and causing fading. The fatty acids contained in perspiration are particularly damaging.
  At least every 6 months you should thoroughly clean any area of your furniture that regularly comes into contact with the human body (seats, arm rests, head rests etc). Everybody perspires! The absence of stains on textiles does not mean that perspiration is not already causing damage. How frequently you need to clean your furniture depends on its colour and level of use. Light coloured furniture and furniture that receives heavy use may require more frequent cleaning.
  Synthetic fibres are oleophilic - they atttract oil - even though they repel most stains they still require regular cleaning to prevent the build up of oil-based staining.
  For advice on cleaning furniture see Cleaning Upholstery: The Easy to Clean Method
  If your furniture is made from linen, silk, wool, or a blend containing one of these fibres, we strongly suggest that you have your furniture cleaned by a professional.
  Every 18-24 months you should have your furniture professionally cleaned. The only way to completely remove dirt and product residue is to have your furniture professionally cleaned.
• Attend to spills immediately. The quicker you attend to a spill, the less likely it is to cause a permanent stain. As many substances dry they “cure” this means they undergo chemical changes that permanently bond them to the fabric fibres making them insoluble and impossible to remove. For help removing a stain see the Stain Removal Tips
  If your furniture is made from linen, silk, wool, or a blend containing one of these fibres, we strongly suggest that you have your furniture cleaned by a professional.
• Protect your furniture from sunlight. Some fibres are more susceptible to UV damage then others, but it is always a good idea to keep your furniture out of direct sunlight. UV radiation can damage the fabric and cause fading.
• Protect your furniture from heat. Keep your furniture away from sources of direct heat. Constant exposure to high temperatures can damage the fabric, the frame and the foam. Furniture should be kept at least 20-30cm from any heat source. Care should also be taken when positioning furniture near external walls as these walls can get extremely hot.
• Protect your furniture from damage. Be careful when moving your furniture. Lift it don’t drag it. Be careful when using blades near your furniture, and avoid leaving sharp objects on your furniture. Keep your furniture safe from pets. Take care when using chemicals (nail polish, nail polish remover, cleaning products, etc) on or near your furniture.
• Select care products carefully. Only use products specifically designed for fabric upholstery. Never use strong detergents, chemicals (e.g. rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover), or washing detergents on upholstered furniture. Always test products on a hidden area of your furniture before use. See the Problem Solver for help selecting the right products.

Do I need to apply a protection spray to my fabric upholstery?