Designer Select Home Accents
Cleaning Home Textiles
Don't Wash!
Home decorating textiles are best not soaked in any fluid.
If you do, the next battle could be with mildew or a host of other undesirable situations. Shrinkage of the best goods is guaranteed at 1% however, I haven't seen a claim in years. Expect 5%. This wrecks lengths and causes puckering at seams when two materials shrink differently. (not to mention the thread)
The sheen and protective coating of fibers is lessened with each immersion. It may be a surprise to you that silk will retain it's sheen the longest.
What to Do at least Once per Year
Get rid of dust by vacuuming with brush attachment, tumbling in dryer (with no heat) 3 minutes or beating and flapping out doors.
Get rid of mildew by placing the item in the SUN. For persistent mildew odors, try Febreeze Mildew, more sun exposure, or at your own risk a mild solution of water and bleach sprayed in a fine mist. This is great for backs of rugs or seam allowances of cushions for a boost in killing mildew. Avoid germ killing sprays containing oils or ingredients that will leave their own stain.
Spray a light coat of Scotchguard or similar product after cleaning to provide a barrier to the fabric fibers.
When There Is a Spot
Consult internet and other sources for specific solvents for each stain taking care not to use one with oils or other ingredients that will leave their own trace. Be careful, solvents can eat fabric especially synthetics.
Take these steps whether you are cleaning or taking to the professionals.
Blot out as much fluid as possible. This means taking fabric covers off of foam cushions and separating drapery layers. Place a towel in front of and in back of the fabric with the spill and blot each side. (For carpet. Lift liquid up, not dissipate it down.)
When working a thick stain like mud or spaghetti on a napped fabric, allow to dry and brush out excess. Then, work with a solution to remove residual.
If you see a water ring from the area after stain is removed, take damp toothbrush (luke warm) and gently brush the edge of the ring an additional 1.5 inches outward. Blot and air dry. Wait and keep waiting. Never use hot water. Never dry with a hair dryer. (It will set the stain.).
When Cleaning is Not Successful
Let's assume, you even took the item to professionals, and a spot is still there. How does the overall piece look? Do you want to salvage it?
Here are some secrets we use when we just refuse to give up. (Like when the Parade of Homes starts in two hours). If the spot is in the middle of a solid, smooth area, there may be nothing you can do except replace. Consider replacing only a portion. For upholstered furniture, do just the cushion tops. It looks great.
If the textile has any fullness and the spot is not very easy to see, use chalk over the stain. You will be shocked how well this works. Go to the art supply store to get a very good match. Do not use oil pastels.
If the item is a rug, look to see if all of the fibers are stained. Very often only one type of yarn will retain the stain. In this case, you can paint that strand very carefully.
Get creative
What do you have to lose? Cover it up with another item: medallion, applique of another fabric, huge button, strap, sash, etc. Alter the surface with embroidery, beads, paint especially metallic. If you can’t use the item the way you did before, consider another purpose. An imperfect rug can easily be improved enough to be a wall hanging high on a wall. A smooth fabric could be gathered into something else.
When You Need Something New
Please consider us. Creative work and home furnishings with fabric is our pride and joy.
Home decorating textiles are best not soaked in any fluid.
If you do, the next battle could be with mildew or a host of other undesirable situations. Shrinkage of the best goods is guaranteed at 1% however, I haven't seen a claim in years. Expect 5%. This wrecks lengths and causes puckering at seams when two materials shrink differently. (not to mention the thread)
The sheen and protective coating of fibers is lessened with each immersion. It may be a surprise to you that silk will retain it's sheen the longest.
What to Do at least Once per Year
Get rid of dust by vacuuming with brush attachment, tumbling in dryer (with no heat) 3 minutes or beating and flapping out doors.
Get rid of mildew by placing the item in the SUN. For persistent mildew odors, try Febreeze Mildew, more sun exposure, or at your own risk a mild solution of water and bleach sprayed in a fine mist. This is great for backs of rugs or seam allowances of cushions for a boost in killing mildew. Avoid germ killing sprays containing oils or ingredients that will leave their own stain.
Spray a light coat of Scotchguard or similar product after cleaning to provide a barrier to the fabric fibers.
When There Is a Spot
Consult internet and other sources for specific solvents for each stain taking care not to use one with oils or other ingredients that will leave their own trace. Be careful, solvents can eat fabric especially synthetics.
Take these steps whether you are cleaning or taking to the professionals.
Blot out as much fluid as possible. This means taking fabric covers off of foam cushions and separating drapery layers. Place a towel in front of and in back of the fabric with the spill and blot each side. (For carpet. Lift liquid up, not dissipate it down.)
When working a thick stain like mud or spaghetti on a napped fabric, allow to dry and brush out excess. Then, work with a solution to remove residual.
If you see a water ring from the area after stain is removed, take damp toothbrush (luke warm) and gently brush the edge of the ring an additional 1.5 inches outward. Blot and air dry. Wait and keep waiting. Never use hot water. Never dry with a hair dryer. (It will set the stain.).
When Cleaning is Not Successful
Let's assume, you even took the item to professionals, and a spot is still there. How does the overall piece look? Do you want to salvage it?
Here are some secrets we use when we just refuse to give up. (Like when the Parade of Homes starts in two hours). If the spot is in the middle of a solid, smooth area, there may be nothing you can do except replace. Consider replacing only a portion. For upholstered furniture, do just the cushion tops. It looks great.
If the textile has any fullness and the spot is not very easy to see, use chalk over the stain. You will be shocked how well this works. Go to the art supply store to get a very good match. Do not use oil pastels.
If the item is a rug, look to see if all of the fibers are stained. Very often only one type of yarn will retain the stain. In this case, you can paint that strand very carefully.
Get creative
What do you have to lose? Cover it up with another item: medallion, applique of another fabric, huge button, strap, sash, etc. Alter the surface with embroidery, beads, paint especially metallic. If you can’t use the item the way you did before, consider another purpose. An imperfect rug can easily be improved enough to be a wall hanging high on a wall. A smooth fabric could be gathered into something else.
When You Need Something New
Please consider us. Creative work and home furnishings with fabric is our pride and joy.
