|
Tips
|
|
INTRODUCTION
Carpet, loose rugs, draperies, tapestries, upholstery, upholstered walls and materials for other accessories require special regular care. Usually these items have been carefully selected for color and style to complement a particular motif and, with proper maintenance, will maintain their original beauty for years to come. This area of our information center outlines appropriate care for such fabrics and addresses many of the most frequently asked questions about your textile investments. The International Institute for Fabric Protection and Cleaning (IIFPC), is an international trade association, of which we are a member, representing certified fabric care professionals. Through its numerous publications and technical seminars, members of IIFPC are supported by the association's technical laboratory. The laboratory staff at IIFPC conducts ongoing industry research and assists members in problem identification and analysis. For these and many other reasons, our "What A Difference!" IIFPC member certified professional cleaner/restorer is a good person to know and remember!
The beauty, as well as the durability of most fabrics, is vitally dependent on their cleanliness. It is important to take note of the appearance of your fabrics; if they lack luster, a good certified professional cleaning is called for. Contact "What A Difference!". Oily soil will often adhere tenaciously to fibers and can build up to become a physical part of the fabric. Compare the parts of the fabrics exposed to atmospheric conditions to those protected by coverings. Noticeable differences are a good indication that professional cleaning is long overdue. These comparisons should be made frequently. Light, loose soils should be thoroughly vacuumed from draperies, tapestries and upholstered furnishings at least once a month - more often, if possible. Carpet and rugs need to be vacuumed more frequently - once a day, if in a high traffic area, but no more than a week should elapse between cleanings. Gritty soil can damage the fibers and there is less possibility of permanent damage if the carpet or rug is vacuumed frequently to remove such soils. Spills and accidents are the most frequent causes of spots and stains and should be given immediate treatment. First aid is vital to prevent permanent damage. IIFPC's technical staff reports that 90% of spots and stains from liquid spills can be prevented if immediate steps are taken to absorb the staining materials. SOILS ATMOSPHERIC Oily, light-weight soil floating in the air will settle on unprotected furnishings and change the coloring of their fabrics to look yellowish or grayish. The greasy soil may stem from cooking, smoking, heating systems, smoking automobile, location near highways or airports, exhausts or industrial fumes. This kind of soil is usually found near heating and air conditioning vents and windows. TRACKED-IN Soils carried in by foot and deposited on carpeting or rugs are particularly damaging, Often these are abrasive materials that actually wear down fibers - dulling traffic areas. OTHER Upholstery fabrics and leathers are very vulnerable to perspiration and oil from skin, hair, soiled hands or clothing. It is important to clean these fabrics often to ward off any permanent damage from reactions between soils and fabric. Overall cleaning is necessary when concentrations of these soils becomes extreme and may perhaps require restorative procedures. VACUUMING Vacuuming plays an important role in the maintenance of your floor coverings,
draperies and upholstery. A beating and brushing action on carpet or rugs
will give the best results by loosening the gritty soil and raising the
pile. The final sweep of the vacuum should be made in one direction to
align the tufts. Brooms are not recommended for carpeting, however, special
shag rakes will help in erecting the shag tufts after they are vacuumed. "What A Difference!" CLEANING TECHNIQUES DRAPERIES Our certified professional drapery cleaners clean and finish draperies in a number of ways. The kind of soil, fiber content, and condition of the materials are the most important factors in deciding which method is the best to use. Minimizing inconvenience for you, our certified service specialists will typically perform the complete service on site as they are hanging. After careful inspection we may determine that taking down the draperies and, after cleaning and finishing, carefully re-hang them would be the better option. Various cleaning methods can be used - some involve water solutions, other use dry-cleaning compounds. Sometimes the drapes are submersed in petroleum fluids, other times non-immersion is required using dry-cleaning powder compounds. We recommend after cleaning that your draperies have a treatment of GARD
All with Sun Shield™ applied to them. This will ensure
ease of vacuuming, stain repellency and protection from Solar Ultra-Violet
Light. Because of many invisible factors which affect both the life and appearance of draperies and curtains, retail merchants cannot guarantee how long they will last nor can the cleaner always determine what the result of the cleaning process will be. As an informed consumer, however, you will benefit by remembering the following:
UPHOLSTERY Although some of our same kinds of cleaning solutions are used for both draperies and upholstery. However, special equipment is required for upholstery. Unusual skill is needed when cleaning upholstery because of the construction of the different pieces of furniture. Sometimes linings under the upholstery fabrics have been dyed with colors that bleed when wet, the dyes in the fabrics themselves may bleed, or the fabrics may shrink. Our certified professional upholstery cleaner must determine construction, what fibers are involved and the fastness of the dyes before they clean a piece of upholstered furniture. In the last few years, we have studied to give particular attention to the growing number of varied upholstered finishes so as not to disturb the hand leaving it soft and carefully groomed. CARPETS & RUGS IN-PLANT CLEANING - This method is particularly well suited for Orientals, area, and other loose rugs. Professional rug cleaning plants have specially designed equipment to remove loose soil. The rugs are then shampooed or jet cleaned and may also include special rinsing, wringing or controlled air drying techniques. In-plant cleaning also permits special attention to rug fringes and repairs. ON-LOCATION CLEANING - A variety of variety of methods are available for cleaning carpeting in place, i.e. wall-to-wall. The choice of methods will depend on the type and degree of soiling, carpet construction and other factors. The procedures may be combined for more effective cleaning.
Colors of carpet, rugs, drapery, and upholstery fabrics are the results of dyes or pigments. Dyes penetrate fibers while pigments are applied by a printing technique using bonding binders or adhesive. Pigment-printed textiles may be limited in their wearing ability depending on the process used to apply the pigment and kind of fabric involved. Before making purchases, buyers should inquire whether the pigment-prints have any special limitations. Dyed fabrics, particularly materials made of fibers to which dye was added during manufacture, will generally give better and longer performance than pigment-printed fabrics. Solution-dyed fibers resist color change from the sun, many cleaning agents and other environmental conditions, bleaches or staining materials. Other dyed fibers are subject to color changes under these circumstances. Continual exposure to bright, hot sun rays will damage the strength of most fibers used in fabrics, This can happen after only a few months. Even indirect sunlight can cause damage, but not as extensively. Remember, you can suffer a severe sun burn on a cloudy day. Fume fading will occur when gases and fumes (from furnaces, cooking stoves, chimney and auto exhausts) in the atmosphere mix with oxygen and humidity to form an acid. This mild acid reacts with the fibers and fabrics and causes deterioration and discoloration, with certain colors more affected than others. Many times, faded areas on draperies, upholstered materials and carpet are hidden by soil and will not be apparent until the fabric has been cleaned. These fabrics may seem to be in perfect condition before something (soils) which covers part of them is removed. Even mild agitation during cleaning could result in shredding of this weakened fabric. If this happens, you may be apt to conclude that our IIFPC certified professional service specialist has damaged the material. Usually these conditions are neither the result of carelessness nor incompetence, but are pre-existing conditions as described previously. Discuss the items to be cleaned with us cleaner prior to the actual cleaning process and make us clearly aware of any unusual wear/use conditions. Be sure that the fabrics you select are not made for beauty and fashion alone. On bright sunny days, window shades, shutters, venetian blinds and lined curtains will reduce the chances of sun damage to carpet, rugs, draperies and upholstered fabrics. The linings of draperies help to retain beauty in the main fabric and lessen the chance of damage from fading. The lining materials should be chosen to last as long as the drapery fabric. If possible, rotate draperies from sunlit windows to less exposed ones in the same room. Move area rugs and rearrange the furniture so that all parts of the wall-to-wall carpeting will have equal exposure. Coverings of plastic or cloth materials over upholstered furniture and leather may help to prevent these pieces from fading. In addition, exhaust fans in the kitchen help reduce the emission of cooking fumes which can also contribute to fume fading. If possible, rotate home furnishings from time to time to make fading or soiling uniform. Contrasts in color and texture in the same fabric can be avoided, or minimized, by taking these precautions. SHRINKAGE Unless textiles are preshrunk in manufacturing, shrinkage most likely will take place while they are in use (because of humidity in the air) or when they are cleaned. In the spinning and weaving processes of textiles, fibers and fabrics must be kept under tension for the looms to function properly. Stretching takes place during this operation and the fibers and fabrics will remain in this condition until moisture makes them relax. The amount of expected shrinkage depends upon the construction of the fabric and fiber content, but your professional cleaner can advise you on what to expect. DRAPERIES
Draperies will shrink as much as 4% and some will continue to do so even when in use. Adjustable hems can solve such problems and under certain conditions, a fabric can only be re-stretched to an acceptable length depending on tolerance of the fibers. UPHOLSTERY
Upholstery fabrics also shrink as the result of humidity or cleaning techniques. Few, if any, furniture manufacturers will guarantee their upholstery materials against shrinkage because of the many different fabrics used. At "What A Difference!" we use special equipment that minimizes moisture use and then extracts what little is applied immediately. Thus, we are able to deliver a clean, fresh quality end result that is virtually dry, even in the winter months. CARPET & RUGS
Carpet and Rugs present unusual shrinkage problems: shrinkage can be as much as 10%, but an average of 2% is more realistic. The type of fiber used in the face of a carpet or rug has no relation to the amount of shrinkage which can be expected. Dimensional changes through shrinkage result entirely from wetting of the backing yarns. When carpeting is installed wall-to-wall, it is tightly stretched during installation to prevent the formulation of wrinkles or air pockets. For this reason, great care must be exercised not to over-wet wall-to-wall carpeting since this could cause excessive shrinkage with resultant damage to the fabric backing. In some cases, the shrinkage forces generated by over-wetting have been great enough to cause rips or tears in the carpeting. Area carpet or rugs may also shrink during cleaning and we take every precaution to minimize this characteristic. Because of the possibility of over-wetting and potential shrinkage, IIFPC recommends caution during any do-it-yourself cleaning of carpet, rug, or other textile furnishing. Modern manufacturing techniques have led to the development of many new fibers, fabrics and colors. Buyers can choose from an assortment of furnishings in which varieties of fabrics and styles have been coordinated. Textures of fabrics range from flat (such as those used in draperies and upholstery) to "splushier" fabrics such as shag carpeting. Regardless of textures, we can expect the appearances of many of these fabrics to change soon after they are put into use. CARPET & RUGS
Some of the changes that take place in carpeting are: pile-crushing from foot-traffic or heavy furniture; indentations from legs of furniture; shading - caused by a change in the "lay" of carpet yarns, and fuzzing or "blooming" (particularly with shag carpeting) which results from untwisting or opening of the yarns. Longer yarns or tufts that extend above the rest of the pile are called sprouts and can be clipped with scissors - never pull them out. If these tufts hove been pulled out of the carpet (such as a snag), a crochet needle can be used to work them back into the backing of the carpet. Pilling, the formation of little balls of fuzz on the top of carpeting, is caused by long fibers working loose and mingling with other strands, These can be removed by cutting the "pilled" fibers close to the pile. We have special shearing equipment for use in major pilling problems. Shading, where there seems to be light and dark color changes in a carpet, may sometimes be temporarily corrected by vacuuming in the same direction. In severe cases of shading, little can be done even by a professional cleaner. A large coin, spatula or your fingers may be used to restore tufts to their upright positions after pile crushing or indentations. Rub the area of the depressed fibers, moisten a little with a steam iron (held no closer than six inches), and follow with a good brushing. Don't be concerned if your new carpeting sheds lint on shoes or if the vacuum bag is full of fuzzy fiber. This is a normal occurrence and is from excess loose fibers which were not removed in the manufacturing process. Frequent vacuuming will take care of loose fibers and put an end to the problem. Remember, carpet should be selected particularly for density of fiber content (the more tufts crowded into the carpeting). This type of carpet will withstand wear and use better and will retain its original appearance longer. DRAPERIES & UPHOLSTERY
Changes in the texture or finish of draperies and upholstery fabrics can take place from friction or wear. Even when draperies are blown by air currents these changes can occur. Just sitting on upholstered furniture can change its appearance as well. It is a good idea to select fabrics for all interior furnishings that have been tightly woven and that have appropriate fiber content for their intended use conditions. Odors are usually generated from either spilled materials which produce the odors themselves or by the bacteria that forms and produces decay in the fiber, If the spill has not penetrated too deeply into the fiber and thorough washing methods can be used, complete removal can normally be expected. The deeper the penetration, however, the more difficult it will be to completely remove the odor. Mildew is one of the growths produced by a fungus which also causes things to mold. It thrives when a room is humid, damp, warm or poorly ventilated, Mildew has a characteristic musty odor. It discolors fabrics and often weakens them so that they fall to pieces. To prevent mildew, get rid of dampness in your home by controlling its causes. If there is any suggestion of mildew when vacuuming fabrics be sure to dispose of the vacuum-bag contents immediately to eliminate the spores of mildew. Sun and air will help control mildew growth but be careful of fading problems. Many times our application of the proper mildewcide to a fabric or other surface may mitigate this problem and its associated odor. Odors from animal wastes are almost impossible to remove. Whether it is carpet, rugs, drapery or upholstery materials, the best remedy is to replace the damaged part of the fabric with a new piece, if possible. When this is not an option however, we have developed some methods that may enable us to give you a guaranteed odor removal. We cannot guarantee that you pet will not return to re-contaminate in the same place or another area. Fibers, dyes, finishing agents on yarns, stuffing and backing compounds may have odors themselves. If one is present on new fabric, a good airing should dispel it. With older textiles, the best way is to try to replace a disagreeable odor with a more pleasant one. We have special deodorizing compounds which may help to control unpleasant odors. INSECTS When buying new woolen furnishings, be sure that they carry mothproof-guarantees from the manufacturer for the backings and stuff ings of the fabrics. When vacuuming either the furniture or carpeting, examine for evidence of moths, carpet beetles or other insects. If you find any traces of them, immediately call a professional cleaner for help. SPILLS Sometimes stains that have been hidden by soil are revealed after cleaning. These stains, which did not immediately cause discoloration, are often from spilled liquid containing colorless sugar that remained on the fibers. After long exposure to the air, they changed to insoluble brown stains. The stains may look like brownish discolorations but often they remain unnoticed because of the accumulated soil covering them. Some food and drink stains may inevitably turn even darker from the necessary drying action after a thorough cleaning. Other kinds of stains can be caused by water soaking through and dissolving materials that cause browning, or dissolving fugitive dyes from the back of the carpet, rug, or upholstery. Because the fibers act as wicks, moisture will rise to the surface to evaporate, and discoloration will be left. Consumers who try to remove stains by using the wrong cleaning compounds and procedures may only make the stained areas more noticeable. At "What A Difference!" we use specialized professional cleaning and stain removal treatments to improve the appearance of forgotten drink spills - cola, coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, soda and others. Even with the best treatments, some colored residue or caramelized sugar stain resulting from the prior spillage may remain. To lessen the possibility of stain damage, immediate action should be taken; thoroughly absorb all moisture and, when possible, put a half-inch thickness of clean, white, absorbent material, such as paper or cloth toweling, over the area and weight it down. Keep replacing with fresh absorbent material and repeat as needed. Your carpet, rug, or upholstery will have had the best cleaning possible,
done by our skilled certified professional services specialists using
scientific methods recommended by the laboratory specialists of IIFPC
- the International Institute for Fabric Protection and Cleaning. In manufacturing fabrics, many different fibers are used. Sometimes only one fiber type may be used in a textile, but at other times two or more will be blended. Each fiber has its own characteristics such as: the amount of liquid it will absorb; the types of dyes that stain them; special whiteness and brightness features; and wearability. Removing stains from one type of fiber may be 100% successful but may be impossible from others. All spots and stains cannot be removed. Certain staining materials contain dyes that will dye fabric fibers but other staining materials have properties that will remove color from a fiber. The longer stains remain on fabrics, the more permanent they become and might prevent removal even by a professional cleaner. The time to take care of spills, spots, or staining materials is immediately after the accident, or as soon as possible thereafter. Solid materials can be removed by use of a rounded tablespoon. It is important to remove as much excess spillage as possible before using the following removal techniques. Careful drying methods are also important to prevent wicking actions that can cause complications. Always use small quantities of removal solutions especially on upholstery fabrics, carpet and rugs. The materials under the outer fabric are often unknown, and if any of these fabrics become overwet, the backing materials can be seriously affected. To prevent permanent stains, please carefully read the instructions from our spotting guide. "What A Difference!" Ultimate Spot Remover
|