Principles of Professional Upholstery Cleaning

Cleaning is the process of locating, identifying, containing, removing and properly disposing of unwanted substances from an environment or material.
Although most upholstery is cleaned on location in a customer’s home or business some fabrics may require cleaning processes that are best performed under controlled conditions usually these conditions can be achieved only in a cleaning plant facility.

Fabric Inspection
Prior to the application of any chemical agent or cleaning procedure, fibers and fabrics must be inspected. Where practical the inspection should determine whether fabrics
show the following characteristics.
– Weakness due to age, Environmental exposure or use.
– Materials that are not colorfast or pre-shrunken;
– Markings on the back of fabrics or on interior cushioning materials, which might bleed through to the fabrics surface during cleaning or drying.
Although inspection of all areas may not be possible. It is highly recommended that zippers on cushions or
pillows be opened to check for potential problems inside

Dye Testing
Pretest upholstery to ensure maximum soil removal without damage to fibers, fabrics, or color. It is highly recommended that dye testing be performed on a zipper boarder, under a rear skirt or in some other inconspicuous area.

It is highly recommended that, where possible, technicians make consumers aware of obvious problems with fabrics or dyes before beginning the cleaning process, it is highly recommended that potential problems be itemized on a “furniture condition report form” that is signed by the customer prior to cleaning.