Problems Encountered with Upholstery Cleaning
Introduction
Upholstery cleaning must be done with much more care and attention to detail than carpet cleaning. This is because upholstery fabrics are more delicate and prone to damage than carpets. Fabrics for furniture coverings are manufactured from a multitude of blends.
Some are woven, others are knitted, some are 100% cotton, some are synthetic blends. Most fabrics are made from a combination of cotton, wool, and synthetics. These fibers have different characteristics. Wool is durable and can last for years. Cotton is breathable and absorbent. Synthetics are resistant to moisture and mildew. Some upholstery fabrics are stain resistant, while others are not. This means that certain stains may become permanent fixtures on the upholstery fabric if you leave them alone.
Upholstery is designed primarily for decorative and aesthetic value rather than durability. It is estimated that most upholstery fabrics will wear out after about 8 years, while carpets will last for more than 20 years on average.
So, upholstery cleaners need to prioritize safety over cleaning efficiency. The highest grade of cleaning chemicals must be used. And upholstery cleaning technicians must be well trained in recognizing fiber types and handling problems encountered during upholstery cleaning.
Some of these problems are described below:
Common Upholstery Cleaning Problems
Bleeding
Different types of dyes and different kinds of fabric may be incorporated into an upholstery fabric blend. Bleeding (or running) happens when dye from one fiber is loosened during the cleaning process and transfers into another fiber.
Normally an alkaline type cleaner will induce bleeding while an acidic solvent will set the dyes. Red and blue colors are most apt to bleed. Any combinations of these two—and especially black—will also be prone to bleeding.
How to reduce the risk:
- Test for bleeding in an inconspicuous area before cleaning.
- Use only mildly alkaline upholstery solutions.
- Follow with a slightly acidic rinse.
- Dry quickly to help mitigate bleeding.
Browning
Browning (or color change) may be caused by several different factors after fabric cleaning. Some dyes can change color when the pH of the cleaning solution changes. These are known as indicator dyes. This type of color change can often be corrected by reversing the pH of the cleaning solution used.
Vegetable dyes in the fabric may also loosen during cleaning and then wick to the surface during drying.
Perhaps the most common browning is cellulosic browning. Fabrics blended with cellulose—like cotton, rayon, acetate, linen, etc.—may brown during cleaning, especially if the fabric is old and light-colored.
Cellulosic browning is caused by cellulose reacting in the presence of strong alkalis. It is corrected by acidification combined with fast drying.
Main factors that induce browning:
- Water (over-wetting)
- High alkalinity
- Slow drying
Whenever browning occurs, these three factors are usually present.
Fading
Fine fabrics like polished cotton and chintz are most likely to be affected by fading and dye transfer in the dry state. That is because they are often colored by a printed dye process. The prints are surface dyes that can be abraded by normal wear. Exposure to sunlight also causes them to fade.
Excessive agitation during upholstery cleaning may magnify fading. A special soft bristle brush should be used to minimize rough agitation.
Also, only a neutral or slightly acidic upholstery cleaning solution should be used to help prevent removal of excess dye.
A professional upholstery cleaning service will have the correct equipment and know how to use it. It is important that the cleaning is done properly to prevent damage to your fabric.
Fabric Shrinkage
Shrinkage happens when some fabrics absorb water and overlapping fibers swell. This doesn’t happen as often nowadays because most manufacturers pre-shrink their upholstery fabrics.
Most shrinkage occurs because of over-wetting and slow drying. It can be corrected by moistening the fabric with a solution of Downy fabric softener and diluted rubbing alcohol, then drying with an air mover.
Some fabrics shrink more than others. Synthetic fabrics (like nylon and polyester) typically do not shrink and are considered “non-shrinking” or “no-shrink.” Cotton and wool have some shrinkage, but not a lot, and are sometimes described as “slightly shrinkable” or “shrink to fit.”
Fabric Deterioration
Deterioration is caused by soiling, wear, oxidation, and sun rot. Exposure to sunlight is the major problem.
Fading occurs chiefly in areas where sunlight is concentrated or where the most wear occurs. Professional upholstery cleaners will examine arms, headrests, and cushions for wear first.
Soiling may obscure the evidence of wear until a cleaning solution is applied—then the fabric may break apart.
In these situations, care must be taken to apply only gentle vacuuming and agitation. Many fabrics may need to be cleaned using a volatile dry solvent only.
Texture Change
Texture change (fiber distortion) can occur on some exotic, hand-woven, or velvet-like fabrics. This is a condition that can be controlled or corrected by knowledgeable professional upholstery cleaning technicians.
Velvet should not be cleaned using regular upholstery cleaning methods because it may cause fiber distortion.
The best way to correct velvet distortion is to apply steam while using a specially designed velvet brush to separate and lift the velvet tufts.
Ink Flecks
Some upholstery fabrics may contain ink flecks that have different solubilities. Some may be soluble in organic solvents, inorganic solvents, or may be insoluble.
The problem can appear after an upholstery cleaning solution is applied and the ink begins to bleed. The best prevention is to pre-test the cleaning solution and reverse the reaction with the appropriate solvent if needed.
Conclusion
It is essential to apply the science of upholstery cleaning in order to achieve safe and efficient results. Otherwise, costly mistakes could be made, especially with today’s fine furniture fabrics.
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