fabric cleaning & maintenance

Upholstery Cleaning Codes

The furniture industry has developed voluntary codes that indicate the appropriate cleaning methods for upholstery fabrics. If the manufacturer of your furniture used these codes, you'll find them printed on fabric samples, on a label under seat cushions, or on hand tags.

Use these labels as a guide to spot removal and for overall cleaning. If no code exists, try a cleaning method on a hidden spot or call a professional upholstery cleaner for advice.

Warwick Abela

Upholstery Stains

Please note: Be sure to check your furniture's Upholstery Cleaning Codes (Care Labels) to determine if a procedure is safe for your fabric. If no code exists, try a cleaning method on a hidden spot or call a professional upholstery cleaner for advice.

Cleaning Tips From Warwick Fabrics

SPOT CLEANING

Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Use of soap or detergent with water should be approached with caution since over zealous rinsing to remove soap residue may result in over-wetting, watermarking and possible wetting of substructure (this may create other stains or damage).

1. For non oil-based stains
   Blot stain with a soft towel or scrape away the substance. Pre-test the cleaning method on a hidden part of the furniture, using warm water and Sard Wonder Soap (this is a bar of soap available from most supermarkets). Mix a small amount of soap and warm water solution and apply to the stain, rubbing gently, blot dry with a clean towel. Apply cool water (preferably rain or distilled water) and blot dry again, then work out from the centre of the stain. Dry quickly to prevent rings forming using a hair dryer or talcum powder. It is generally preferable to clean whole panels of fabric in this way rather than trying to spot clean specific areas. This process should remove most general stains.
2. For oil-based stains
   We recommend Murlex, a drycleaning solvent which should remove oil based stains from the furniture. Again, apply a similar process as above and ensure the cleaning is done in full panels - not spot cleaned. Murlex is available from most chemist shops.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

After the moisture has been blotted up, dab at the stain with a clean cloth dampened in rubbing alcohol. Then blot repeatedly with liquid detergent mixed with cool water. Blot dry with a towel. Dab again with clear cool water and blot dry.

BLOOD

Mix one teaspoon of ammonia in a cup of cold water and apply it sparingly to the spot. Blot with a clean towel. Repeat the procedure until the spot is gone. Then dab the area with cool water and blot. Wait 15 minutes and moisten the area again with white distilled vinegar. Blot thoroughly with a dry towel.

CHEWING GUM

Rub an ice cube over the gum to harden in, then scrape off the excess with a dull knife. To remove what's left, use dry cleaning fluid.

CHOCOLATE (and other soft candy)

This is a combination greasy/non-greasy stain. First go over the spot, after scraping excess away, with cool water mixed with a liquid detergent, blot thoroughly , and then clean with dry cleaning fluid.

COFFEE AND TEA

Sponge with warm water. Apply warm glycerin, leave for 30 minutes. Flush out with water and dry quickly.

COSMETICS

Sponge with warm water. Apply warm glycerin. Leave for 30 minutes. Flush out with water and dry quickly.

FRUIT AND FRUIT JUICES

After excess is blotted up or scraped away, blot the spot with cool water. If a stain remains, add liquid detergent and a drop of vinegar to the water. Dab the spot with this and blot until there's no trace of a stain. Then go over the area lightly with clear water to remove traces of vinegar.

GREASE (including hair grease and oil)

Scrape away excess if necessary and then dab repeatedly at the stain with dry cleaning fluid. If any stain remains, go over the area with a lukewarm mixture of liquid detergent and water. Always make sure you use a clean portion with a clean cloth moistened with cool clear water.

INK

Moisten with warm glycerin, leave for 10 minutes. Apply liquid detergent and brush lightly. Flush out with water and dry quickly.

MILK AND NAUSEA

Blot or scrape away the excess, then take a clean soft cloth and blot. Apply clear cool water to the area, blotting frequently. Then blot with a detergent solution to which you've added a small amount of ammonia. Blot dry and wait a few minutes. Go over the area with dry cleaning fluid, blot dry, and finally, blot the area lightly with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.

ICECREAM

Scrape away excess and apply cool water mixed with liquid detergent, blotting frequently with a dry cloth so you don't saturate the fabric. Let this dry and then go over any remaining stain with dry cleaning fluid. Blot dry.

SOFT DRINKS, SWEETS AND SYRUPS

Sponge with water, add warm glycerin and work into stain. Flush out with water and dry.

SHOE POLISH

Apply liquid paraffin to loosen the stain, then sponge with dry cleaning fluid.

URINE

It is especially important to treat this stain right away, before the urine dries. Otherwise, the urine may react with the fabric dyes and cause permanent discolouration. First, dab at the stain with a solution of white vinegar and water, blot dry, and then apply a mixture of liquid detergent and cool water, blotting frequently and with a dry cloth to avoid saturating the fabric. Finally, dab the spot with clear cool water and blot thoroughly.

WATER SPOTS

Blot thoroughly and then dampen the entire spot with clear white vinegar and wait a few minutes. When the area is dry, moisten it again with clear water, blotting with a dry cloth after every application of the damp cloth. If the fabric is pile, brush with the pile when it is dry.

IODINE

Rub with lemon before sponging with warm water. Apply small quantity of detergent with clean cloth. Blot stain then remove soapy residue with cloth wrung out in warm water and white vinegar solution (1/3 vinegar to 2/3 water).

VELVET CURTAIN CARE

Curtaining velvet needs care in handling and use, and window fittings coming in contact with the curtain should be avoided. Also stiff brushing or strong vacuum cleaning on the reverse side of the velvet can pull at the pile. Draw cords or other methods of drawing without handing the curtain itself are recommended, as grasping, particularly with fingernails, can cause crushing and actual damage. Velvet curtains should be drycleaned.

SLIP-WASH-COVER FABRICS

WASHING INSTRUCTIONS:
Use a gentle cycle and do not wash the fabric at a temperature exceeding 40 degrees. Use a washing agent suitable for colour retention such as Softly or Wool Mix. If using a tumble dryer, use a cool setting. If your covers are too bulky for your machine we recommend professional washing by your local laundry. Ironing should not be necessary, but if required iron on the reverse side using a light steam

Drycleaning is possible if preferred but some colour variation may occur if cushions are cleaned separately from the main covers.

ON-SITE CLEANING
Professional cleaning recommended. Do not wet filling with solvent. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Exhaust solvent vapour outside building. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use.

OR

Clean with hot water extraction machine (hot). Use a washing agent suitable for colour retention not containing any optical brighteners. Do not wet filling. Dry in shade away from direct heat and sunlight. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use.

WARNING

Do not use washing agents containing any optical brighteners, as this may effect colour, particularly if cushions and main covers are not washed at the same time.

Do not mix different colours or fabrics in the wash.

Do not squeeze or wring by hand. Do not dry in direct sunlight as this may accelerate colour loss.

Do not apply detergent directly to covers when washing. Do not tumble try with hot setting.

NOTE: Some minor colour change may occur in the initial washing stages. We recommend laundering in complete cover sets to ensure there is no colour variation between cushions and main covers.