Writers note: For the purpose of this article, a “spot” is a foreign material, often from a spill, that creates an unsightly appearance, but has not deeply penetrated into the fiber, and has not created a dye related discoloration.
A “stain” is a discoloration that remains after surface contaminants have been removed, and usually is either a dye itself, or has caused a reaction with the existing dyes in the fabric and has created a new color, or loss of color.
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. read more
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:
- Low Absorbency. Liquid spills simply do not penetrate nearly as deep into the fiber surface as they do in natural fibers.
- Chemical Resistance. Most synthetic fiber fabrics are not easily damaged by aggressive cleaning chemistry and even stubborn stains may be removed from such fibers.
- Durability. Some synthetic fiber fabrics are more durable and hold up to blotting, brushing, extraction techniques, and even steam.
Natural Fibers:
- High Absorbency. Spills may penetrate deeply into natural fibers, and create stains that would only be spots on a synthetic fiber fabric.
- 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.
- 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.
Exceptions:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. Though it might be helpful to know the specific fiber family (as the above exceptions indicate), its difficult to make such determinations with upholstery fabrics because of blends and backings, and how they change odors and flame colors.
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 text or email.
As always, continue to be vigilant in your testing, inspection, and communication efforts when cleaning upholstery fabrics.
| If you would like to check out the “Systems Indicator Guide” which was developed especially to assist technicians in making wise cleaning decisions, Click Here.Download the pdf file which you can reprint for training purposes. Take the opportunity to visit my blog www.jimscleanchat.com for the most up to date information I have available for Fine Fabric Care! Also, for the latest guidelines regarding “Educational Marketing”, be sure to visit Lee’s blog at www.leepemberton.com |
FAQs, Fine Fabric Care, Spotting, Upholstery Cleaning | Jim Pemberton | 
May 18, 2012 3:08 pm | 
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