Jim Pemberton
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Be Wary Of Spot And Stain Removal Issues With Fabrics
by Jim Pemberton - Fabric Pro Specialist
One of the most common reasons that a consumer will call a fine fabric specialist for upholstery cleaning services is because of the presence of a spot. The call might come in for “cleaning”, but the reason that the customer is compelled to make the call is often an unsightly spot, or spots.
The good news is that many spots release readily from upholstered fabrics.
In fact, even some stains may be removed without difficult procedures or heroic efforts. Much of this relates to what fibers are used to make the fabric.
In most cases, the easiest “rule of thumb” is that synthetic fibers are the most stain resistant, and that natural fibers are the least stain resistant. The reasons we MOSTLY follow this rule are because of the follow general characteristics of each:
SYNTHETIC FIBERS:
#1. Low Absorbency. Liquid spills simply do not penetrate nearly as deep into the fiber surface as they do in natural fibers.
#2. Chemical Resistance. Most synthetic fiber fabrics are not easily damaged by aggressive cleaning chemistry and even stubborn stains may be removed from such fibers.
#3. Durability. Some synthetic fiber fabrics are more durable and hold up to blotting, brushing, extraction techniques, and flushing with water based solutions.
NATURAL FIBERS:
#1. High Absorbency. Spills may penetrate deeply into natural fibers, and create stains that would only be spots on a synthetic fiber fabric.
#2. Chemical Sensitivity. Natural fiber fabrics are more easily damaged by bleaches and some acids, cellulose based natural fibers may experience browning, and the dyes used in natural fiber fabrics tend to be less stable than those used in synthetics.
#3. Poor Durability: Natural fiber fabrics, especially those made from cellulose (cotton/linen) and regenerated cellulose (rayon/acetate) may be more easily distorted, damaged, or may experience shrinkage when even the simplest spot or stain removal processes are attempted.
"THIS IS BADLY COFFEE STAINED!
"THE COFFEE STAIN CAME OUT, THE DISTORTION REMAINED!"
EXCEPTIONS:
a). Nylon is the one synthetic* fiber that is most susceptible to dye stains. Soft drinks and medicines that contain artificial red dye may permanently stain nylon fibers, and red dye removal products made for carpet may not be effective on upholstery with nylon fibers.
b). Both nylon and acrylic fibers may have unstable dyes. Neither have much issue with colorfastness with regular cleaning techniques, but stain removal products may bleach these fibers. Some acrylic fibers experience color bleeding or color loss from dry solvents as well.
c). Cotton is somewhat resistant to acid dyes, such as are used in soft drinks and medicine. Light application of a red dye remover without heat will often remove such stains from cotton.
What all of this means is that you must ALWAYS know the fiber family of what you are cleaning. Although it might be helpful to know the specific fiber (as the above exceptions indicate), it is often difficult to make such precise determinations with upholstery fabrics because of blends and backings which can influence or change odors and flame colors when tested!
Because of these uncertainties, any spot that does not come out during routine cleaning should only be treated with a clear pre-understanding with the customer and approval for you to proceed in writing, or via a text or email permission.
---------------------------------------------------
If you would like an opportunity to learn how to clean the most delicate upholstery fabrics in a “hands on” environment, join me at our next Fabric Pro Upholstery Cleaning Workshop.
*********************************************
For more information on the Fabric Pro Workshop, CLICK HERE
*********************************************
Class size is very limited for personal attention purposes, so register today.
Two Day - All New "Specialist" Course With "Hands On" Training
CHECK FOR THE CURRENT DATE - CLICK HERE
Instructor: Jim Pemberton
Time: 8:00 AM – 5 PM each day
Cost: $795.00 per student
Good for 2 IICRC CEC's
Lunch & Refreshments -- Compliments of Pembertons
Click Here to Register For a Class
Feel free to contact me with
your stain removal questions by
emailing me at:
jimscleanchat@gmail.com
by Jim Pemberton - Fabric Pro Specialist
One of the most common reasons that a consumer will call a fine fabric specialist for upholstery cleaning services is because of the presence of a spot. The call might come in for “cleaning”, but the reason that the customer is compelled to make the call is often an unsightly spot, or spots.
The good news is that many spots release readily from upholstered fabrics.
In fact, even some stains may be removed without difficult procedures or heroic efforts. Much of this relates to what fibers are used to make the fabric.
In most cases, the easiest “rule of thumb” is that synthetic fibers are the most stain resistant, and that natural fibers are the least stain resistant. The reasons we MOSTLY follow this rule are because of the follow general characteristics of each:
SYNTHETIC FIBERS:
#1. Low Absorbency. Liquid spills simply do not penetrate nearly as deep into the fiber surface as they do in natural fibers.
#2. Chemical Resistance. Most synthetic fiber fabrics are not easily damaged by aggressive cleaning chemistry and even stubborn stains may be removed from such fibers.
#3. Durability. Some synthetic fiber fabrics are more durable and hold up to blotting, brushing, extraction techniques, and flushing with water based solutions.
NATURAL FIBERS:
#1. High Absorbency. Spills may penetrate deeply into natural fibers, and create stains that would only be spots on a synthetic fiber fabric.
#2. Chemical Sensitivity. Natural fiber fabrics are more easily damaged by bleaches and some acids, cellulose based natural fibers may experience browning, and the dyes used in natural fiber fabrics tend to be less stable than those used in synthetics.
#3. Poor Durability: Natural fiber fabrics, especially those made from cellulose (cotton/linen) and regenerated cellulose (rayon/acetate) may be more easily distorted, damaged, or may experience shrinkage when even the simplest spot or stain removal processes are attempted.
"THIS IS BADLY COFFEE STAINED!
"THE COFFEE STAIN CAME OUT, THE DISTORTION REMAINED!"
EXCEPTIONS:
a). Nylon is the one synthetic* fiber that is most susceptible to dye stains. Soft drinks and medicines that contain artificial red dye may permanently stain nylon fibers, and red dye removal products made for carpet may not be effective on upholstery with nylon fibers.
b). Both nylon and acrylic fibers may have unstable dyes. Neither have much issue with colorfastness with regular cleaning techniques, but stain removal products may bleach these fibers. Some acrylic fibers experience color bleeding or color loss from dry solvents as well.
c). Cotton is somewhat resistant to acid dyes, such as are used in soft drinks and medicine. Light application of a red dye remover without heat will often remove such stains from cotton.
What all of this means is that you must ALWAYS know the fiber family of what you are cleaning. Although it might be helpful to know the specific fiber (as the above exceptions indicate), it is often difficult to make such precise determinations with upholstery fabrics because of blends and backings which can influence or change odors and flame colors when tested!
Because of these uncertainties, any spot that does not come out during routine cleaning should only be treated with a clear pre-understanding with the customer and approval for you to proceed in writing, or via a text or email permission.
---------------------------------------------------
If you would like an opportunity to learn how to clean the most delicate upholstery fabrics in a “hands on” environment, join me at our next Fabric Pro Upholstery Cleaning Workshop.
*********************************************
For more information on the Fabric Pro Workshop, CLICK HERE
*********************************************
Class size is very limited for personal attention purposes, so register today.
Two Day - All New "Specialist" Course With "Hands On" Training
CHECK FOR THE CURRENT DATE - CLICK HERE
Instructor: Jim Pemberton
Time: 8:00 AM – 5 PM each day
Cost: $795.00 per student
Good for 2 IICRC CEC's
Lunch & Refreshments -- Compliments of Pembertons
Click Here to Register For a Class
Feel free to contact me with
your stain removal questions by
emailing me at:
jimscleanchat@gmail.com
