Guide to Cleaning Household Upholstery Furniture

“Who can evade the everyday enemy- Dust?”

Just like we take a shower to wash off dirt and dust and get energized daily, our household furniture also needs the same cleaning maintenance to keep its charm and aura alive. A clean home is a happy home. Hygiene is imperative to a perfect work and living condition. Upholstery is a part of a household that demands time and effort for its regular upkeep. Upholstery if not maintained properly can age quickly and display a dull and unaesthetic look to the living room. Who would wish to rest on a dirty and dingy couch at the end of a weary day?

We at Provincial Fabric House entail you a stepwise schedule that you can follow to clean your household upholstery the appropriate way.

Protocol to follow for routine Household Upholstery Cleaning:

1. Initiate with Vacuuming

   
   Dirt and dust accumulation on the surfaces of household upholstery is inevitable. The first step to cleaning is thoroughly vacuuming of the dusty upholstery. Dirt visible to the naked eye is effectively got ridden off by simple vacuuming. Never skip this step.
   
   Choose the right type of brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner depending upon the needs and structure of your upholstery. Ensure you use a soft brush attachment or a specially designed upholstery cleaning attachment to vacuum your entire sofa set.
   
   Look between cracks and crevices for hidden dirt and make an effort to vacuum these concealed areas effectively. A soft tissue paper, when attached to the vacuum nozzle and inserted between crevices, can readily clean up the concealed dirt.



2. Stain removal

   
   Stains/Spills on the couch should be immediately blotted up with the help of a blotting paper/ tissue. Never rub a stain for it may cause it to spread and may harm the upholstery fabric material.
   
   Always spot clean stains and discolouration patches. Vinegar that is readily available at home can be used as a cleaning agent for stain removal. A special upholstery cleaning agent for stain removal is also available in stores.
   
   Before you use the stain removal product always test the product on a concealed part of the upholstery. Wait for half an hour to check for any adverse reactions to the fabric. Once you are confirmed that the solution is safe to use, pour the cleaner on a clean microfibre cloth and rub over the stain with a mild hand. Allow the cleaner to remain on the couch for about half an hour for maximum effectiveness. Blot excess solution off with paper towels.



3. Deep Cleansing

   
   A mild washing detergent mixed with lukewarm water can be used as a simple home cleaning solution for upholstery. Soak and squeeze a clean microfiber cloth in the solution and gently wipe the surfaces of the upholstery with it. Allow the solution to penetrate the upholstery fabric for a thorough cleanse. Spend 1-2 minutes on each section. Take care not to soak too much water into the upholstery. Wring the cloth properly prior to wiping upholstery with it. Always use a clean cloth for this purpose.
   
   A steam cleaner can be used in this step. Choose a steamer that can get heated quickly and can operate easily at 158-212 degrees Fahrenheit.



4. Thoroughly air drying before use

   
   It is mandatory to dry freshly cleaned upholstery prior to usage completely. Place the cleaned upholstery piece in a room with airy spaces. Open up all windows for complete air circulation. Switch on the fans at the highest speed in the room to facilitate air drying.
   
   Place the upholstery directly under the fan to quicken up the drying process. Provide plenty of time for air drying. You can alternatively dry the upholstery with a hairdryer. Natural air drying is much more preferred than hair dryer use as it eliminates the detergent smell effectively.

Upholstery Cleaning Codes

Every upholstery fabric has a cleaning code mentioned on the attached tags of the material. Always read the cleaning codes prior to cleaning any upholstery. This will ensure your upholstery is cleaned and maintained the right way.

• W: Use water-based solution for cleaning purpose
• S: Use the water-free solution for cleaning purpose (dry cleaning product)
• WS: Use either water-based or water free cleaner can be used
• X: Demands professional cleaning by an upholstery cleaning expert. At home, only simple vacuuming and gentle brushing should be done.

Conclusion

“We dream of having a clean house – But who dreams of actually doing the cleaning?”

To ensure proper home hygiene is maintained, motivate yourself today to clean up the household upholstery to gift yourself and your guests a fresh scented couch to lay their hands on.

Household upholstery must be cleaned at least twice a year. It requires time, effort and precision. Invest in some good professional cleaning to optimize your upholstery lifespan or make it a DIY family project by following our detailed cleaning protocol as mentioned above.

“Happiness is a freshly cleaned house”. Don’t delay. Bring happiness home this very day!!!

Cotton vs Polyester Sheets: Make the right choice for your bedding!

Your bedding is an important part of your life since you spend about 1/3^rd of your day in its arms in deep slumber. A good night’s sleep brings the best of days. The type of sheets adorning your bedding is therefore crucial for your comfort, health and the quality of the day.

Cotton and Polyester are the most popular upholstery fabrics when it comes to bedding sheets. Fabric Shop brings you the unique characteristics of each fabric so you can make an informed decision based on your lifestyle, comfort, budget and personal choices.

Cotton Sheets

Cotton fabric is the fabric of the best choice for apparel and beddings since generations. It can never go out of fashion. Cotton fabric sheets are made from natural cotton fibers. They come in three varieties:

1. American Upland: Most popular short staple cotton
2. Pima Cotton: Most popular long staple cotton
3. Egyptian Cotton: Long staple cotton

              

Let us take a look at what cotton has to offer in terms of bedding comfort.

Pros.

• Cotton fabric is breathable. It permits air circulation easily. Thus cotton sheets are a favorite in hot and humid weather.
• Moisture wicking property is unique. Cotton absorbs body moisture easily. It does not retain it though, it allows moisture to evaporate in the air. For individuals who tend to perspire heavily and those suffering from night sweats; cotton brings relief.
• High durability. Long lifespan.
• Hypoallergenic
• Odour resistant
• It does not attract static electricity. So dust, dirt or hair are not easily captured.
• Becomes Softer with each wash
• Low maintenance fabric. Easy to wash.
• Synthesized naturally from cotton. So it is biodegradable.

Cons.

• Cotton fabric color fades over time.
• Expensive than polyester
• Shrinks more than polyester
• Prone to wrinkling
• It has a tendency to pill ( formation of small fiber balls)
• Cotton sheets make “rustle” noise when laying on beds.
• Cotton though a durable fabric, it is very delicate. Susceptible to wear and tear with time. So people tend to make a second use of it in the form of cleaning cloths, picnic blankets to make the most of this super fabric.

Cotton is the ideal pick for environment lovers as it is natural and biodegradable. Thread count is vital to its softness. Higher the count, softer is the cotton fabric sheet. It ushers a smooth luxurious and crisp feel to the body. Finish free and dye free cotton sheets are also available but they are expensive.

Polyester Sheets

Polyester fabric has been in demand since the 1980s as it is easily manufactured from natural gas and petroleum products. Polyester fabric is a man-made fiber make.

              

Polyester fabric is almost similar in performance to cotton fabric sheets. Let us find out what makes it stand apart from cotton.

Pros.

• Polyester fabric is highly durable. Its durability is even higher compared to cotton.
• It does not rip/ tear easily like cotton.
• Wrinkle resistant
• Water resistant
• Since it does not retain moisture and is a water repellent, it dries readily. Super fast drying ability makes it perfect for people with a busy lifestyle.
• It is a Low maintenance fabric like cotton. Easy to wash.
• Manufacturing and processing cost of polyester fabric sheets is minimal when compared to cotton. So it is budget- friendly and not heavy on the pocket.

Cons.

• It is not a breathable fabric. It tends to trap body heat within making it uncomfortable to the skin.
  
• It does not possess moisture wicking property of cotton. Body Moisture builds up and is not easily lost. You tend to sweat more on using polyester. Nowadays some manufacturers have changed the weave pattern of polyester making the fabric easy to breathe.
• It can pill over time. Thus it becomes messy.
• Absorbs stains easily. Oil/grease if spilled on it becomes extremely difficult to clean.
• It attracts static electricity. So dust, hair, dirt are easily harbored in it leading to breeding of microorganisms and unhygienic conditions. This irritates sensitive skin.
• It Stiffens with time. Thus the surface becomes rough to touch with usage.
• Polyester fabric is made from Man made fiber. So it is not biodegrade

Polyester fabric is very cost-effective for low-budget users with higher durability of cotton. Though the comfort and luxury in cotton cannot be found in polyester. Simple weave polyester is preferred in these cases.

Blended sheets

Confused? Want the best of cotton as well as Polyester?

Blended sheets are here for you. Blended sheets are sheets manufactured using cotton as well as polyester fibers. Thus these sheets bring the best features of both cotton and polyester right at your door. It satisfies the urges of cotton as well as polyester users and lovers.

These sheets offer the softness of cotton with the durability of polyester. The moisture-wicking property at low cost is an exciting trait this blended sheet provides. It is a better option for those who dislike 100% pure polyester sheets. Though blended sheets offer a combination of both worlds, they are after all manufactured synthetically and are not bio-degradable. They tend to retain heat and moisture more than cotton sheets but less than polyester.

Conclusion

Provincial Fabric shop has put in the best to enlighten you about the advantages and disadvantages of cotton and polyester sheets. Cotton is definitely the best in terms of comfort and luxury. Whereas Polyester makes a better choice for budgeted consumers. Choosing the right type of upholstery fabric for your sheet finally depends upon your personal preference.

“Your Life is a reflection of how you sleep, and how you sleep is a reflection of your life”

So spend wisely on your mattress sheet for it makes a difference to your sleep and ultimately your happiness. Provincial Fabric Shop offers you an exuberant collection of cotton and polyester upholstery fabric to make the right choice for your bedding today!