Seat Care Like most things, if the fabric on your furniture is to look good and last for years it needs looking after. Following the advice in this care guide will help your upholstery retain its new appearance for much longer and its lifetime will be extended.

The most exciting advancement in cleaning technology! The Esprit Upholstery Cleaning System now available from BusTex™.

The Nature of Soiling
Neglect is the most common cause of the premature breakdown of any upholstery fabrics. This is shown in the photo illustrations and is an indication of what proper care maintenance seeks to avoid. The problems illustrated have occurred as a result of inadequate removal of dirt, dust and grit which settles on the surface of the upholstery. If not removed, the dirt and grit will eventually penetrate the structure of the fabric. With further agitation, as a user sits on the upholstery, the abradants will work like sandpaper wearing away and breaking fibres in the fabric structure. If enough fibres are broken a hole will eventually form in the upholstery.

In the same way, pilling can occur. Pilling involves loose fibres
migrating to the surface of the fabric which , with further agitation as a user sits on the chair, will curl up to form tiny bobbles of fibre. Although pilling can occur with well maintained fabrics, it is well known that soiling agents can initiate and/or significantly accelerate pilling. Finally, any liquid spills which result in a ‘wetting’ of the upholstery, if left in situ, can form a syrup like substance with dirt and grits. This can develop into a brittle layer resulting in a hardening of fibres and aggravating the problems outlined above.

An upholstery fabric which has
‘abraded’.

An upholstery fabric which has
‘pilled’.

An upholstery fabric which has
been stained.

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1. Vacuuming
To prevent dirt, dust and grit from penetrating the fabric structure, it is necessary to vacuum upholstery on a regular basis. For the best results, in particular in high risk areas (such as nursing homes, wine bars, pubs and clubs, etc) and high usage areas (such as airport lounges and public spaces, etc) weekly vacuuming is highly recommended.

2. Dry Cleaning
Periodically deeper cleaning may be required. Annual or bi-annual cleaning will preserve and enhance wool upholstery. More regular cleaning may be required in high risk areas.
It is strongly advised that professional cleaning services are used to deep clean upholstery fabrics. Upholstery fabrics containing wool must be dry cleaned only. Aqueous cleaning of wool orwool rich upholstery fabrics is not advised. If wool is over wetted, shrinkage and hence undesirable dimensional and appearance changes may occur as a result. The upholstery will be permanently damaged. NEVER over wet wool or wool rich upholstery. Also never apply bleach, ammonia, alkali or strong acids to wool upholstery.

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Some Facts about Dry Cleaning:
Everyone is familiar with aqueous cleaning techniques. Dry cleaning is less understood. Dry cleaning involves the use of organic solvents to remove dirt, grits, stains and other soiling agents from fabric. It is called dry cleaning because very little or no water is used in the process. This makes dry cleaning particularly suitable for wool and wool rich upholstery fabrics which may be adversely affected when ‘wetted out’.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR WOOL AND WOOL BLEND UPHOLSTERY
Dry cleaning will not cause physical weakening of textile fibres. Dry cleaning is not able to remove years of ingrained dirt and other soiling agents. It is better to avoid ingrained soiling by regular preventive care/cleaning.

Spot and Stain Removal Guide:
Please refer to the separate section at the back of this care guide.

CARING FOR FABRIC WITH FIRE RETARDANT TREATMENT
1. Camreflam®
Upholstery fabrics, both wool and synthetic, which have received Camreflam FR treatments should be vacuumed only. Camreflam FR treatment is water soluble and hence an aqueous cleaning process will reduce or completely remove the FR chemical. The Camreflam FR treatment is insoluble in dry cleaning solvents, however the FR may be removed to some extent, depending upon the amount of water in the systems and the degree of mechanical action. It is therefore recommended that dry cleaning is also avoided.

2. Zirpro®
Zirpro FR treatment applies to wool upholstery only. Such fabrics can be dry cleaned with satisfaction, as Zirpro treatment is permanent and cannot be removed.

ANTI STAIN TREATMENTS
Anti-stain treatments can be applied to wool or synthetic fabrics to enhance their stain resistant properties. They work by forming an invisible protective shield around each individual fibre in the fabric structure. The shield lowers the surface energy of the fibres so they don’t attract dry soiling agents or soak up wet stains. Anti-stain treatments protect against most oil and water based stains which can simply be blotted then wiped away.The treatment will provide significant added protection to your upholstery, allowing it to look good and last longer. It is particularly recommended to use such treatments in high risk areas such as nursing homes, wine bars and airport lounges. Anti-stain treatments must be specified at the order stage and cannot be added after. Care of Upholstery with Anti-stain Treatments for deeper cleaning treated upholstery can be dry cleaned without any adverse reaction.

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CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SYNTHETIC UPHOLSTERY
1. Vacuuming
Regular vacuuming is recommended to prevent dirt, dust and grit from penetrating the fabric structure. For the best results in particular in high risk areas (such as nursing homes, wine bars, pubs and clubs, etc) and high usage areas (such as airport lounges and public spaces, etc) weekly vacuuming is highly recommended.

2. Deeper Cleaning
Periodically deeper cleaning may be required. Annual or bi-annual cleaning will preserve and enhance upholstery. More regular cleaning may be required in high risk areas.
It is strongly advised that professional cleaning services are used to deep clean upholstery fabrics.

2.1 Aqueous Cleaning Techniques
- Wipe clean with a damp cloth
Upholstery fabrics containing 100% synthetic fibres such as Polyester, Polyacrylic and Polypropylene are not adversely affected by aqueous cleaning techniques and once surface dirt and grit has been removed by a vacuum, the fabrics can be simply wiped with a clean damp cloth.

- Machine washing
Polyester and Polyacrylic upholstery fabrics can be machine washed at temperatures of 40°C - 60°C. Please consult the back of the pattern card for the correct wash temperature. When machine washing, use branded upholstery shampoo only. Never use bleach, ammonia or other cleaning agents which are not specially designed for the task. Always read labels and follow instructions as advised on the cleaning solutions.
Following cleaning, if drying techniques are used where high temperatures are involved contact our technical services department for advice. Exceeding the temperature limits of the fabrics will result in permanent damage. Please note: Polypropylene is not suitable for machine washing. Polypropylene is an inert fibre and as such is unable to form a chemical bond with any spillage medium. As such vacuuming, then wiping with a clean damp cloth will remove most soiling agents.

2.2 Dry Cleaning
Synthetic fabrics respond well to dry cleaning techniques with the exception of Polypropylene. Due to the high temperatures involved it is not recommended that Polypropylene is dry cleaned as this could damage the fabric.

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Spot and Stain Removal Guide

To treat stains use Step A first; apply small quantities of liquid, blot well with clean tissues after each application. Work carefully to release stain from edge to centre. Allow to dry. If unsuccessful try step B and later C.

TABLE OF TREATMENTS
1. White Spirit, Turps, or substitute
2. 1,1,1 Trichloroethane (Dry cleaning fluid)
3. Upholstery Detergent or Shampoo at manufacturer’s recommended dilution
4. Acetone, nail polish remover - non oily
5. Cold water
6. Surgical spirit (alcohol)
7. Borax 2% solution, dissolve 1 teaspoonful in warm water, top up cup with cold
8. Salt 2% solution, 1 level teaspoon in cup of tepid water
9. Use 3 as above + drop of spirit vinegar
10. Biological detergent 1% solution (1 level tsp in cup of warm water)
11. Use 6 as above diluted 1:5 water
12. Disinfectant, dilute as recommended on bottle, or 1 tsp in 2 pints water
13. Use 7 as above + drop of spirit vinegar
14. Chill with ice cubes in plastic bag
15. Hot iron over layers of white tissue
16. Consult a professional cleaner
17. Vacuum thoroughly

FABRIC CARE SYMBOLS
The symbols below are some of the most common which apply
to the care and maintenance of our fabrics. Please consult the
reverse of our fabric swatchcards for exact details.

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