Fabric Protector Staining Upholstery?

I was contacted by a fine fabric specialist who noted that a polyester microfiber fabric had a yellow discoloration remaining after cleaning.

Communication with the customer revealed that they had applied several coats of fabric protector purchased at a local hardware store.  Their question to me was:

“Could fabric protector discolor upholstery?”

The answer is yes!

Now that furniture retailers do not promote protection as much as they once did, its not uncommon for consumers to purchase and apply protector themselves.

Depending on the quality of the product and how much is applied, there is a risk that the carrier, or the protective ingredient itself, will turn the fabric yellow.

Once such a product is over applied, the discoloration may be very difficult to remove.

The reason the stain may be hard to remove is:

1. Its the nature of a protector to create a durable bond with the fiber.
2. Polyester and olefin fibers, which are very commonly used in upholstery, are very oil loving and will hold onto petroleum based contents of the protector’s carrier.

If you encounter this problem, the first thing you must do is to warn your customer that you may not be able to safely remove this discoloration.  Solvent based cleaning boosters may help break the oil and protector bonds, and oxidizing boosters (when color safe) may remove or lessen the intensity of the yellowing, so both should be added to your preconditioning agent.

Always be certain, of course, that the products are compatible and safe for the fabric you are cleaning.

As with all pre-existing conditions, and especially “customer self inflicted wounds”, make sure that your customer understands that they created the situation, that fixing the situation may well be impossible, that you need to be paid for your efforts, regardless of the result, and that you aren’t responsible for any damage to the fabrics dye, texture, or structure as a result of your efforts.

If you would like guidelines on how to communicate the risk of cleaning heavily contaminated or badly discolored fabrics, read the reverse side of our Upholstery Condition Inspection Report.

Protector Sales Declining?

In my conversations with cleaners, and my observations of current trends of protector sales and purchases, its become clear to me that the sales of protector after carpet and upholstery cleaning continue to decline.

Some industry persons point to current economic conditions, but based on what I’ve observed, I believe its much deeper than this.

Consider the events of the past decade. Could it be . . .

Health Issues?
* A “warning letter” is sent to consumers nationwide from a labor group that had a conflict with a major protector manufacturer. Regardless of the motive, it put fear and doubt into the consumers’ minds about protector safety. It also created fear and doubt in the minds of many cleaners!

Lack of Clarity From Carpet Industry?
* Carpet manufacturers state that carpet protector is no longer necessary on carpets made from their new fiber technology, and/or that they incorporate new protector technology at the manufacturing level.

Inferences were made in print, and said verbally by uninformed carpet salespeople that the application of protector might even void a carpet warranty. This obviously impacted consumer purchases of protector, and also frightened cleaners into not offering protector at all; since trying to determine what type of carpet anyone owns is nearly impossible without exhaustive research and availability of documentation.

Cable Advertorials, Pitchmen & Super Guarantees?
* The prevalence of consumer owned carpet cleaning machines and spotting machines have lessened the fear of spills and soiling between professional cleaning.

Changing Marketplace?
*The higher percentage of hard surfaces in homes, thus limiting the amount of available carpet that can have protector applied.

While many of the upscale consumers are experiencing real or imagined financial pressures, I won’t accept the “bad economy factor” as a major contributor to this trend because of increasing sales of hard surface cleaning services, rug cleaning services, and deodorization and decontamination services.

These are, of course, simply my observations and opinions gathered from my experience and perspective. I would appreciate feedback from those who read this regarding your observation of trends in your market area.

Please feel free to email me with the form below:

Avoid these Four Expensive Mistakes with Upholstery Fabric Protector

While most information shared in our industry about protector has been about carpet, it is important to note that upholstery fabrics are far more likely that carpet to be permanently stained by spills.

Its therefore arguably more important to apply protector to upholstery than it is to carpet.

With that said, its important to know that there are risks in applying protector to upholstery, especially fine fabrics made from natural fibers and blends, (that most cleaners fail to think about).

1. Overwetting: Every skilled upholstery cleaner knows that the control of moisture during cleaning, and the removal of it afterward with extraction and drying fans is critical. Overwetting and slow drying can cause problems (and damage claims), such as bleeding, browning, water marks, shrinkage, and odor
   problems.

   The application of a water based protector could leave just enough extra moisture to contribute to these problems. If you choose to apply such a protector, be cautious when the fabric you wish to apply it to is susceptible to any of the above problems from slow drying.

2. Texture Changes: Water based protectors may cause stiffening of soft textures, such as chenille or velvet. The harsh hand may be corrected by brushing the fabric after it dries, but even brushing will not restore a texture change in velvet or chenille made from rayon, silk, or acetate.
3. Damage from Solvent Based Protector:Many cleaners avoid the problems listed above by using solvent based protectors. While most of these problems will not occur when solvent based products are applied, it is important to note that some laminated microfiber fabrics can experience delamination from solvent based protectors, and a few print fabrics may bleed when exposed to solvents, whether in cleaning or after the application of a solvent based protector.

   Careful inspection of fabrics before you apply protector will help you to avoid this problem.

4. Color Change and Texture Changes on New Fabrics:Furniture stores no longer promote the application of fabric protector as aggressively as they once did, so you might be asked to apply protector by your customer on their new fabrics. This is usually a very safe procedure, and one that can be good for you and your customer.

   However, it is possible that the application of protector on new upholstery will leave a color or texture change that would not be easily noticed on older, freshly cleaned fabric. Solvent based protectors may slightly darken fabrics, and water based protectors can often cause texture change. Due to the fact that the furniture is new, your customer is more likely to notice the most subtle changes.

   Even though these warnings might seem to be something that limits an otherwise easy sales process, its important to warn your customer that protector application may cause color or texture changes that they would not have noticed had the protector been applied at the store.

   Protector remains a VERY valuable service for your customers. Preventing unsightly stains that even the best skilled cleaner cannot remove is likely more important to your customers than some of the above listed issues.

   Nevertheless, you must protect yourself as well as your company’s bottom line by understanding the products you apply, following safe and sensible procedures, and giving your customer fair warning of risks that might be involved in having protector applied.

Does Protector Work On Microfiber Fabrics?

I was asked this question during the question and answer session at the conclusion of the “Rugs & Fine Fabrics: webinar that Lisa Wagner and I conducted with Cleanfax

The simple answer is “yes”. But as with all such questions, the simple answer does not take into account several issues that need to be addressed for a full understanding of how protector works with upholstery fabrics.

1. Fiber Characteristics: Most, though not all, microfiber fabrics are polyester. There are those who believe that polyester, due to its inherent resistance to acid dyes, does not need protected.

This is untrue, as resistance to acid dyes does not cover a far wider variety of materials that may be spilled on fabric that do not contain acid dyes.

Also, polyester is notoriously oil loving, and the ability of a fluorochemical protector to resist oily spills is critical for polyester.

2. Fabric Characteristics: Microfibers are used in a wide variety of fabrics today, but for the sake of discussion, we’ll limit this to fabrics such as Ultrasuede ™ and other “faux suede” materials.

Such fabrics are incredibly adsorbent (not a misspelling, adsorbent is different than absorbent). In either event, the adsorbency of microfiber materials is such that microfiber towels are very popular for cleaning. This means your customer has furniture that is essentially upholstery with a cleaning cloth, and it behaves accordingly. So putting a protector that helps to counteract and at least slow down the penetration of spills should be very important to the customer.

3. Residues: This is the part of the discussion of protectors and performance that very few people seem to want to talk about. But if you care about your customer’s long term satisfaction with your service, and thus your reputation, you should take this into consideration:

Fabrics that have been extensively preconditioned with foaming detergents and solvent additives may have residues that cannot be completely rinsed from the fabric!

The variety of products, additives, and boosters available to cleaners are to broad to be tested individually. But YOU can test the product that YOU use yourself.

To know if your protector works after your cleaning method, simply take some old used cushions (microfibers and others you commonly clean), clean them with your “stuff” the way you normally clean, then apply your protector in the way you usually apply it, then let it dry.

When the fabric has dried, test by spilling a liquid on the fabric and see for yourself if it works.

You can see tests that I conducted in the following pictures:

The first shows protector that obviously is working. (Click on photos to view them larger)

The second shows a failure of the protector to work due to preexisting cleaning agent residues that could not be rinsed from the fabric.

What you should take from this information is the need to test systems and products yourself, and not to allow “the grapevine” or even industry authorities, to tell you what works and what doesn’t.

Investigate, question, and test, and as a result you’ll be able to sell this important service to your customers and keep them happy with you throughout the lifetime of your professional career.

If you’d like to know which products I used in this test, email me at: jimscleanchat@gmail.com

RESIDUES: Good or Bad?

The word “residue”, when used in the cleaning industry, is almost always seen in a negative light. Residues can result in resoiling, wicking, yellowing, odors, harsh textures, skin irritations, and many more headaches for both the cleaner and the consumer.

Looked at objectively, residues are really only “bad” when they create a problem. Bad residues come primarily from the following:

• Inferior cleaning detergents that promote resoiling
• Over use of properly formulated detergents
• Odor control treatments that are not designed to be left in the carpet fibers after cleaning
• Odor control treatments that are incompatible with cleaning agents or stain resistant finishes
• Other post treatment products such as silicone carpet protectors, laundry fabric softeners, etc.

All of the above mentioned materials can create considerable aggravation for the cleaner and the consumer.

HOWEVER: There Are Good Residues As Well!

The most obvious example of a good residue would be the fluorochemical protective treatments, such as Scotchgard™ and Teflon™. The residue that these products leave on carpet and upholstery help to repel oil, water, as well as dry soils. This residue actually lengthens the useful life and appearance of the consumers’ furnishings.

Another example of a good residue would be the revolutionary encapsulation products that have recently exploded onto the marketplace. Encapsulant products have superior cleaning qualities that keep on working after application to
enhance better soil removal during subsequent vacuuming, and this type of residue also works to prevent wicking.

Interestingly, encapsulants are also able to remove finer particles of soils that otherwise remain and leave dull traffic areas after conventional hot water extraction. Encapsulants are not only used in shampoo type operations, but are now present in some hot water extraction detergents, acid rinses, and even as stand alone post treatments to prevent wicking.

In the past, in many cases, abused commercial carpet was rinsed thoroughly to minimize residues that might contribute to wicking or resoiling. [A time consuming and laborious task] Today, commercial carpet cleaning experts are finding that using the help of an encapsulating “residue” will better control wicking and resoiling than low residue rinsing [with unbelievable time savings].

Finally, there are cleaning detergents that leave residual antimicrobial treatments on the carpet to keep the carpet fresh smelling by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi. These residues are also very desirable for the long term health benefits that they provide.

Switch your paradigm, and realize that in some cases, the BEST thing that you can do for your customer, is to leave a (appropriate) residue on their carpet!

Protector Failure — Are You Guilty?

I have a strong belief that fabric protector is even more important for furniture than it is for carpet!

The nature of people’s activities in their homes, along with the fact that a large percentage of upholstery is made from absorbent and difficult to clean natural fibers and blends make the need for the protection critical.

However, in your efforts to clean and protect fabrics, have you considered what you might do that keeps protector from working?

You should.

Here is an example.

This picture is of a fabric that was protected after cleaning. You should be able to clearly see how well the protector has worked.

Note, however, what happened in an area where a red dye stain remover was applied, and to the technicians point of view, rinsed out.

The protector was not able to properly bond this area that had a spotting agent residue.

Its arguable that the removal of an unsightly red dye is more important than fabric protection, but before applying a protector, think carefully about whether or not difficult to rinse residues might keep that product from performing.

FAQs – Does it Pay to Protect Polyester and Triexta?

There has been some discussion in our industry regarding or not polyester (PET) or triexta (PPT) require protector, and even if protector works on these fibers. While triexta is a new fiber, there is nothing in its make up to make us feel that the application of a fluorochemical protector, such as Scotchgard, Teflon, or Maxim would not help. These products protect against the primary soiling and staining problems that beset both triexta and polyester:  Oily soils.

We have been able to conduct long term testing of polyester (PET) here at our training center.  The polyester sample carpet was 20 years old, and obviously without any remaining factory protection.  After cleaning, 3M Scotchgard ™ and Bridgepoint Maxim Advanced were applied to opposite ends of the carpet, with the center left untreated.

The carpet was then put down in our repair shop, and rotated every day to make sure that the carpet soiled evenly.   The carpet was also vacuumed every other day.

After 30 days, it was obvious that the two protected sides were resisting oily soil and spills, and that the untreated center was soiling more rapidly.

In 60 days, the carpet was thoroughly cleaned.  Within another 30 days, the same degree of protection was still evident, as the treated areas continued to resist soil and spills, and the untreated areas did not.

As polyester (PET) becomes a larger percentage of the carpet you clean, you should feel free to apply fluorochemical protector to it.   According to industry studies, it should remain on the carpet for about 12 months before it wears off.

FAQs – Sanitizing and Protecting Carpet

Q - Jim,

I have a customer who wants carpet sanitizer and carpet protectant.. how should I go about doing this?

Will the carpet sanitizer ruin the carpet protectant if its applied first?

Thanks,
Scott

A – Hi Scott,

Great question! Most combined applications of deodorizer and sanitizer (or any deodorizer) will end up with compatibility problems between the two products, and a double application of water based products, which can lead to slow drying and problems related to drying, such as microbial growth and/or wicking.

If you just need to deodorize and protect, add your deodorizer (if compatible) to your prespray. In the case of truly sanitizing a carpet, you’ll need to use Microban Clean Carpet Sanitizer. You can either use it as a prespray followed by a clear water rinse if the carpet is heavily soiled, or you can run the product through your unit as the cleaner if the carpet is only moderately soiled.

As it is an EPA registered sanitizer, you should not use other presprays or boosters, as such products must never be used in a way contrary to label directions, and most other cleaners could interfere with the sanitizing ingredients. However, once the carpet is cleaned with this product (and it is a VERY good cleaner), you can then protect afterward with a good water based fluorochemical protector.

Jim

FAQs – Protection Treatment for Pure Woven Silk

Hi, Jim.

One of my customers, a decorator/decorator supply company,
asked me if I knew of any type of protective treatment that
can be applied to a pure woven silk wall covering, either after
or before installation. Do you have any info on this, and who
might have experience applying it? Thanks.

Jeff
—————————————————————————–
Hi Jeff

I have a great deal of confidence in Maxim Fine Fabric for
this application. This product is a pure, solvent based product that
was originally designed for the decorator industry before it was
introduced into the cleaning industry.

I will recommend that you apply a small amount (the size of a dime)
and dry it with a hair dryer. Twice in my career I’ve seen it darken a
fabric slightly.

Any solvent based product can do that.

Jim

FAQs – Maxim Advanced for Carpet & Upholstery

Q – What is the difference between Maxim Advanced for Carpet and Maxim Advanced for Fabric and Upholstery?

A – The differences between “Maxim Advanced” and “Maxim Advanced for Upholstery” are considerable. The name similarity is a marketing decision based on how popular the “Maxim Advanced” names has come to be. A related example would be how back in the 1970′s, when Dupont wanted to compete with Scotchgard. Dupont called its first protector “Zepel”. No one would buy it.

Then a smart marketing guy figured to use the same name for the product used on pots and pans: “Teflon”. Its a different product applied in a different way, but it explains the benefit easily.

So Maxim Advanced for Upholstery has two major differences:

One, it contains a dye stabilizer. It won’t keep everything from bleeding, but it will prevent bleeding in 99.999999999999% of the stuff you clean.

Two, its “elastic”. Most protectors aren’t, and don’t need to be. But when sprayed on upholstery that gets sat on, it stretches when the fabric does. So its more appropriate for upholstery, and far more durable.