[Geoff Jewkes]

Hi all,
      Quoted a lounge suite today ( 2 seater and chair ) and i'm just a bit unsure of how this is to be cleaned.
Fabric consists of 13% cotton, 44% viscose, 1 % silk,, 34 % cotton chenneille, 8 % linen.     Some advice on this would be great !   Thanks for any comments !!   

Geoff

[Geoff Jewkes]

Can anyone help ?

[vangaurd]

if you do not know how to clean it?
how did you know how much to quote ?

[the red carpet]

Flat fabric or pile?

[Geoff Jewkes]

Haven`t quoted on it yet,  Just quoted another suite in main lounge and carpets to 5 bed house

[Geoff Jewkes]

pile red

[*paul_moss]

Hi Geoff
Not come accross this fabric mix before.The only danger fibre is the silk.
How dirty is it ?
If it is not too soiled I would be tempted to go with a m/s mist then aggitate with a micro fibre cloth/mitt and a low moisture hwe at mild heat,then turbo dry.
Do the usual bleed/ shrink tests first and clean the back area of the sofa/chair first and dry off to see finish is ok.

[vangaurd]

carefull that you dont leave lines in the pile

[Geoff Jewkes]

Thanks paul. I've not seen this mix before either and been at this for 7 years, I know silk is risky but only 1 %........makes me wonder why its there. Its ivory in colour and not heavily soiled. HWE no prob and will use chemspec moisture control tool. Chem dry offered to take it on but customer doesn`t know what method they were going to use.

[Geoff Jewkes]

yeah will brush and towel pile as usual thanks

[Phil Marlor]

Here is a good site, might help.

http://www.cleanprosonline.com/Technical_Tips.html

Do all the tests, must say it has a lot of different fabrics, use Microsplitters rather than detergents.

Phil

[*paul_moss]

Silk is prob the strongest fibre out there,it just does not like water as it tends to weaken it and makes it hard on drying.
But as you say the composite percentage is very low, thats why I dont think it will cause a problem.

[Geoff Jewkes]

Phil, what would be the diff between using m/s and say using prochem pre spray gold ( finely misted on ) with an acid rinse?  Not had anything to do with m/s

[Phil Marlor]

Probably not a lot of difference, you need to get feedback from the more experienced on the other boards (they dont come on here very often), I dont pretend to be a chemical expert.

In my experience though, its seems impossible to mess up with Microsplitters, they are so safe to use!

Just being ultra cautious.
Test well!

Phil

[Mike Halliday]

set a date to clean it subject to testing.

then when you arrive set up your machinery and clean & dry a section, compare it to the rest, if OK continue.

I'm thinking of putting this paragraph into my documents so I can cut & paste it, I seem to write it at least once a month.

this statement answer most of the 'how do i..... question asked on these forums

Mike

[the red carpet]

I wouldnt worry about the silk as at 1% it might as not be in there

So its basically 1/2 cotton and half viscose

Should you clean a pile suite with such a high proportion of viscose

Iv seen 100% viscose pile go badly wrong before, iv heard a few horror stories about them on here, and was told not to wet clean them on a iicrc upholstery course, as far as im aware its really a dry clean fabric.

[Geoff Jewkes]

Theres a label on there red, don,t wet clean, don't dry clean. A bit conflicting to say the least !!!!!!!! Cleaned an m & s rug 2 weeks ago, 80 % wool 20 % viscose.... was fine with pre spray gold / acid rinse / turbo dryer. I reall dunno about this one!! Might just take mikes advice but more comments welcome!!

[*paul_moss]

Viscose is fine to wet clean, Red its the natural velvets you have to watch out for.
The cotton is the only danger as it is a cellulistic fibre but with the correct acid rinse and turbo drying you will be ok.
Just test,test and test first 

[*paul_moss]

Alot of the time the manufacurers put on the suites label DONT WET CLEAN as this can remove or dilute the fire retardent that is in the fabric.
That a good reason why I would use m/s on this as it does not take remove or alter the fire retardent or protectors that might be insitu.

[Geoff Jewkes]

Thanks Paul