Tags give you the real dirt on how to clean upholstery

Last Saturday, I received a call from a very nice lady requesting information about upholstery cleaning.

The lady said she had a man come by her home and clean her carpets and upholstery.

She said the carpet came out fine, however, when the upholstery dried, there were fade marks at several different locations on the back of the couch and cushions.

I asked her to look at the code slip on the bottom of her chair and tell me what it said. When she returned, she said, "vacuum only, code X." I told her that the piece of furniture should only be vacuumed and not cleaned. Needless to say she was very upset.

In this week's article, I thought I would discuss upholstery and the process used to set dye colors of fabric used.

When the manufacturer dyes fabric, it's either an alkaline- or acid-based dye. The mill runs he fabric through a wash (colored dye) at 300 degrees and then immediately rinses the fabric in cool water, which sets the dye color into the fabric.

This process allows the fabric to be cleaned with either water or solvent. If the manufacturer does not use this process then the fabric will fade or wash out during normal cleaning.

At the mill, the manufacturer will sew into the seam of the cushion or will attach to the bottom of the chair or couch a tag which tells you, the consumer, how the product is to be cleaned.

Some foreign manufacturers will only provide you with a code, e.g. W, S, S/W or X.

If the manufacturer did not set the dye during the manufacturing, color will bleed during the cleaning process. It is imperative these instructions be followed.

Below is a breakdown of the code list:

W = Furniture may be cleaned with water and water-based products.

S = Furniture may be cleaned with a cleaning solvent (dry-clean only).

S/W = Furniture may be cleaned either by solvent or water.

X = Furniture is not cleanable, vacuum only.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864; Attention: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is the chief executive officer of Northwest Executive and Environmental Services, LLC.