[dave archer]

Hi all , i have a pair tapestry type material 2 seaters to clean but have never cleaned this type before .From the training I had, I realise I must proceed with caution not over wet and use a low temp on extraction and of course do pre tests for colour fastness ,if you have  any other advice it would be greatly appreciated .
       Thanks Dave

[Jamie Pearson]

If possible test dye bleed test the reverse of the fabric also.

[gwrightson]

A pin test might be a good idea if ur worried ,


Geoff

[Paul Redden Countryfresh]

most modern tapestry's are colour fast, if the backing is thick with lots of threads, test deep
colours especially when a deep colour ie red runs under a cream/white fabric.
I would use a cotton cleaner with a l/m handtool.

good luck

[Elfyn]

If in doubt - back out.

[dave archer]

Hi geoff I,ve not heard of the pin test can you explain it , thanks  dave

[Kinver_Clean]

Get some training asap

[charles911]

until then??

[gwrightson]

Dave,
basicly  you require 4 dressmakers pins  placed in an area were it will not be noticed , a good place is under the cushions ,  place the pins exactly equal to each other to form an exact square   2  1/2  inches apart is believe is the reccomended distance, wet the fabric in this square then measure again, any difference then you will have shrinkage .1/4 of an inch differrence you will have problems that is 10% overall ,  1/16 of an inch then that is 2half %  overall etc etc.   

geoff

[n.s.mcdonald]

This used to be ameasure used with curtains obviously not secured on any edges and free to shrink, I dont think it suitable for fixed upholstery.

[gwrightson]

Posted by: n.s.mcdonald  Posted on: Today at 07:49:48 am 
Insert Quote 
This used to be ameasure used with curtains obviously not secured on any edges and free to shrink, I dont think it suitable for fixed upholstery. 


ermmm   , then go ahead and wet it     you may as well say that no fabric will shrink because it is fixed, please enlighten us as to how you would go about testing for shrinkage on a suite  !!!!! 
I guess my training was a waste of time 

Geoff

[gwrightson]

N.S. Mcd.

I would have liked to have know how you would go about testing for shrinking on a suite . out of interest i discovered this post from Ken Wainwright, for those who know Ken , a very knowledgable guy who does know his onions :)First check where the outer back and side panels meet under the arm/cushioned head area. They may have shrunk from atmosheric moisture.

Experiment first on outer back panel at home. Try other areas too. 2 dressmakers pins EXACTLY 2.5ins apart verticlly. Repeat with another 2 pins hortontaly to make a square box. Spray with water. Any shrinkage will be more or less instantaneous. 1/8in is 5% shrinkage, 1/4 in 10% etc. 5% is generally accepted as being acceptable if suite is sound. Any more is risky. As well as cotton fabrics, woven dralons tend to shrink 'cos of the cotton backing whereas knitted dralons don't.
Happy shrinking
Ken

Geoff

[AshWhite]

I read somewhere about placing a carpet slider against the fabric, and putting the pins at each corner, so when you go to measure after a few minutes you've got a quick reference by putting the slider back against the fabric.

[Russ Chadd]

This is the same shrinkage test Prochem teach on their courses...

[Jamie Pearson]

This is the same shrinkage test Prochem teach on their courses...

Thats where I heard about it. Back in '94

[dave archer]

thanks for your comments

Dave