Fabric Stain Resistance

When it comes to choosing the right fabric for a particular upholstery job the stain resistance of a fabric must be considered. Will the fabric repel dirt or show every spot? If it does get dirty can I clean it?

There are fabrics that are made out of materials that are easy to clean and there are fabrics that are coated in substances that make them easy to clean. Sometimes there are fabrics that have both attributes.  Acrylic and Polyester fabrics do a good job of repelling dirt and stains. Coatings such as Teflon and Crypton help to keep stains from permeating the fibers of a fabric.

Most fabric companies provide cleaning specifications for their products. Cleaning codes are represented by letters that suggest which cleaning process is best for different types of fabrics. Here is a key to help decipher the codes.

S– Spot clean only with a dry cleaning solvent. Do not use water.

DC– Professionally dry clean ONLY. Do not try to clean yourself.

W– Spot clean only with water based upholstery cleaner. Blot immediately to remove       excess.

X– Clean only by vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush.

When you do not know what the recommended cleaning code is for your fabric it is always best to let the professionals take care of the problem and take it to a reputable dry cleaner.

To get started on your new piece, contact us today!