[rs_cleancare]

hi, i was wondering if any of you experts out there could advise me on the cleaning of a velour 3 piece suite. It is my first one i have ever cleaned and would like to make sure i do a good job. Thanks Rob.

[Ken Wainwright]

Need more info Rob. Fibres? Construction? Any labels saying, for example, DO NOT DRY CLEAN etc. etc.

If there's any doubt after pre-clean checks and testing, clean a section out of site (with madam's permission, and leave to dry.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[Dynafoam]

As Ken indicates, fibre identification is vital.

Many traditional velours are not generally considered as wet-cleanable, whereas some modern sythetic velours are not dry-cleanable. Then again the is the viscous velour which, though 'modern' should only be dry cleaned.

Be sure what you are dealing with before attempting a clean.

[rs_cleancare]

thanks for the replys. I havn't been able to go round to pre-inspect and do any test. It's a case of having to clean when i turn up. I'm new to carpet & upholstery cleaning business and have done NCCA course. I've cleaned a lot of carpets with great results which im very proud of but this sofa is making my pants a little brown thinking about it knowing that i clean it the correct way. So any more advise i would be very greatful.
Cheers.

[Derek]

Hi

One simple test is the 'wet test...carried out on the zip end of a cushion..
This will tell you whether it can be wet cleaned or needs to be dry cleaned

Derek

[PJUK]

I personally would not touch a velour suite, a bad result years ago, put me off.  But be sure it is velour first, if it is heavy material and the pattern changes colour when u stroke the pile opposite ways... run away, its not worth it..

[des]

Never worry about walking away from a job that your not sure of  And always ask if your not sure  des

[Dave_Lee]

As Derek says do a wet test. As its your first one be especially cautious. I would say if it is a velour (Natural Fibres) as oposed to Dralon or other manmades, or whether you are not sure - leave alone - when in doubt, get out!
Dave.

[rs_cleancare]

Cheers for the advice everyone. Im trying to get round to the ladys house before the clean so hopefully i will have some more info. I don't won't to walk away as i would like to know i could tackle any job i come across.
Thanks
Rob

[Ken Wainwright]

I'm finished early this morning. The velour suite I was to clean was either cotton or viscose. Modern, trendy purple coloured fabric. I was reasonably confident it was cotton. Tested zip panel, pile flattened but no burst. Explained to sir about pile drying feeling a little "crusty" maybe, but soon goes with a brush/vac when dry. Continued with inspection and discovered marker pen lines on the reverse of the fabric. I walked

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[Mark Roberts]

Ken,

Were these pen marks excesive? I would certainly walk away from a flat woven cotton with marks inside, depending on colour of suite. Did you test the pen marks for run as well.

Don't balme you for walking though, better to be safe than sued !

It begs the question, if these marks were somwhere you could'nt get to what are we meant to do?? X-Ray glasses are next in my kit.

Mark.

[Ken Wainwright]

Mark

A thick single line about 15cm long. My policy in cases like this is ALWAYS to walk. I would only proceed with a written disclaimer which highlighted the potential problem. You can examine the zipped cushions but nowhere else.

To be honest, I didn't really want the job. I'm not exactly hungary for work.  It was an enourmous, heavy modern sofa with a steel frame, I've got a niggling back pain and don't want to make it worse. It was a perfect opportunity to say no and mean it!

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[rs_cleancare]

I went round to have a look at the suite today. mmmm i searched high and low for lables couldn't find any it looked like there might have been one cut out. I did a burn test smelt like paper and burnt very quickly. I put some water on and the pile flattened. I'm think it's cotten. Would a safe bet be to dry clean with solvents or could i get away with foam. Also found marker pen writting on the cusions.
I couldn't walk away as i need all the work possible at the mo plus i have also got her carpets to clean as well now! The lady also has a very large family so if i do a good job theres a good chance of referrals.
What would you guys do?
Cheers Rob.

[PJUK]

i would just do the carpets, saying that suite cant be cleaned, better to buy a new one - one that cleans well!!!

[Derek]

Rob

You say its cotton... don't forget that Viscose produces exactly the same results as cotton from of the usual tests c/c's carry out...

Wet test a length of the yarn (from the cushion edge or underneath) to be sure

Derek

[Ken Wainwright]

Rob

Two points. Do you know how to "test" the strength of the yarn to see if Cotton or viscose? The most popular way is a bit "seat of the pants" but a skill quickly learnt. Take a length of yarn. Hold an end firmly in each hand. Ithen wet the middle of the yarn with saliva  ( yes, in my mouth) Then pull on the ends until the yarn snaps. If it quietly breaks it's rayon/viscose. If it breaks with a reasonable SNAP sound, then it's cotton or maybe synthetic. You only need to do a few of these to be familiar with the difference.

The other thing is about marker pens. If it's on the foam cushioning, just slip a clean polythene carrier bag (inside out so no print transfer) into the cushion so that no transfer can take place. BUT inform madam that there is always the possibility that the same has been done on, for example, the sofa/chair arm, and there is absolutely no way you can test for that. If permission to proceed given, ask her to sign that she acknowledges and accepts the risk should the problem arise. It's happened to me twice in 25 years, so it is quite rare.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[rs_cleancare]

Thanks for all your help and replys it's been great to get so much advise. I decided to turn down the sofa clean and just clean her carpets.
I'm going on prochems 2 day course next week so i now have plenty of questions to put to them.
Thanks Rob.

[PJUK]

glad u took my advice..if u r unsure, then dont risk it, bad reputation gets round quicker than a good one. Phil

[woodman]

you could also place a strip of gaffer tape over the marker pen lines to prevent transfer,simple but effective