How to Care for Fabrics

  1. Fabric must be protected from the sun
    • Shades should be drawn during the day, and awnings should be used whenever possible.
    • The winter sun and reflection from the snow can be even more harmful than the summer sun
    • Colors can fade by oxidation, which occurs when fabrics are kept in storage for long period with airing
    • Impurities in the air may cause as much fading as the direct rays of the sun
  2. Use a reputable dry cleaner that specialize in home furnishing
    • Vacuum fabrics often
    • Dry cleaning should be done at normal intervals before excessive soil has amassed
    • Very few fabrics are washable
  3. Be tolerant of normal fluctuations in lengths of draperies
    • Few fabrics are completely stable
    • All fabrics breathe and absorb moisture, which causes stretching and shrinking
    • Fabrics placed near cooling and heating vents may react to a much greater degree
  4. Fabrics wear out
    • Wear will vary with the amount of the use the fabrics has to ender
    • A favorite chair will not last as long as a seldom used show piece
  5. Applied finished may help fabrics resist soil and stain
    • Different finishes help fabrics resist spotting, but they are not the solution to all the problems
    • Light colors are likely to benefit most
  6. Synthetic fibers
    • Synthetic yarn has made impressive strides in advancing the technology of weaving, but they cannot perform miracles.
As compiled by the Decorative Fabrics Association

Clean Code Information

The following recommended cleaning codes are devised as the results of tested performed by the fabric manufactures, but there is no guarantee of these fabrics or the clean-ability thereof.

F

Dry clean using fluorocarbon or petroleum solvent only. Professional cleaning is recommended. CAUTION: Use of water-based or detergent-based solvent cleaners may cause excessive shrinking. Water stains become permanent and unable to be removed with solvent cleaning agents. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing, to remove dust and grime, is recommended.

F-

Dry clean using fluorocarbon or petroleum solvent only. Used reduced cycle, moisture, and/or heat. Professional cleaning is recommended. CAUTION: Use of water-based or detergent-based solvent cleaners may cause excessive shrinking. Water stains become permanent and unable to be removed with solvent cleaning agents. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing, to remove dust and grime, is recommended.

P

Professional cleaning is recommended. CAUTION: Use of water-based or detergent-based solvent cleaners may cause excessive shrinking. Water stains become permanent and unable to be removed with solvent cleaning agents. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing, to remove dust and grime, is recommended.

P-

Dry clean in solvents except trichloroethylene. Used reduced cycle, moisture, and/or heat. Professional cleaning is recommended. CAUTION: Use of water-based or detergent-based solvent cleaners may cause excessive shrinking. Water stains become permanent and unable to be removed with solvent cleaning agents. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing, to remove dust and grime, is recommended.

S

Clean this fabric with pure solvents. Professional cleaning is recommended. CAUTION: Use of water-based or detergent-based solvent cleaners may cause excessive shrinking. Water stains become permanent and unable to be removed with solvent cleaning agents. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing, to remove dust and grime, is recommended.

SW

Clean this fabric with water-based cleaning agents, foam or pure solvents. Professional cleaning is recommended. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommend.

W

Clean this fabric with water-based cleaning agents foam to remove overall soil. Many household cleanings agents are harmful to the color and life of a fabric. Professional cleaning is recommended. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and grime is recommend.

WS

Clean this fabric with water-based cleaning agents only, do not use solvents. For oil based stains use solvent cleaners.

WW

Use water based cleaning agents only. Do not use solvents. Blotting or hand washing is recommended for stain removal. Do not over wet. Excessive brushing or vacuuming may degrade the finish.

X

Clean fabric only by vacuuming or light brushing to prevent accumulation of dust or grime. Water-based foam or solvent-based cleaning agents of any kind my cause excessive shrinking or fading.