Fabric Stain Removal Services – There’s a saying: “It’s not what you don’t know that gets you into trouble, it’s what you know that just isn’t true!”
And this holds true for some of the myths that continue to circulate in our industry.
These myths may have some basis in fact, as many cultural myths do, but they also have flaws that can waste your time.
Myth 1: Dry Cleaning Is Always the Safest Option Issues like texture distortion, cellulose browning, color bleeding, and fading are often associated with water-based upholstery cleaning methods. This has led to the belief that dry cleaning with solvents is the safest approach when unsure about fabric damage.
While there are instances where dry cleaning solvents are less likely to damage delicate textures like rayon chenille, there is no guarantee they won’t cause color bleeding.
Various methods exist to stabilize dyes, including dye setting agents that allow for safe cleaning with water-based solutions. While these methods aren’t foolproof, neither are dry cleaning solvents.
It’s essential to test all cleaning and spotting products on the fabric to ensure colorfastness.
Myth 2: Always Clean with the Hottest Water Possible Hot cleaning solutions effectively remove oily soils from synthetic fibers. Hot water speeds up the cleaning process and reduces the need for highly buffered alkaline cleaning detergents that may cause color bleeding or fading.
However, there are two situations where hot water may not be ideal:
- Non-Colorfast Fabrics: Hot water can contribute to color bleeding, whereas warm water may be safer.
- Synthetic Fiber Velvet: Extreme bursts of heat, especially in equipment with poorly regulated heat systems, can lead to permanent distortion in certain synthetic fiber velvet fabrics. Consistent, very warm temperatures are safer than extremely hot water that’s hard to control.
Myth 3: The Tags Provide Accurate Cleaning Guidelines Furniture typically has two tags: fiber content tags and cleaning code tags.
Fiber content tags usually describe the material used for filling or stuffing, rarely specifying the fabric content.
Cleaning code tags indicate colorfastness codes provided by furniture manufacturers to guide consumers in fabric maintenance. However, these codes do not replace the need for your own inspection and testing.
The “S” code, indicating “dry clean only,” is often found to be inaccurate.
Never blindly rely on these codes as foolproof measures to prevent damage. They serve as guidelines, not guarantees.
Busting the Myths Debunking these widely held myths is important for your protection. Consult professionals to gain a better understanding of what “just isn’t so” or isn’t true in every circumstance. Contact us at 0800 800 382 for expert assistance.
