At Empire Red Interiors we believe buying furniture is one of the most significant investments you will make, and an important element is preserving that investment with regular care. We have put together a guide to enable you to make an informed decision when selecting upholstery fabrics for your home.
The following questions you should be asking are:
- How much use will it get and by whom? Is it for a family room, beach house, will children and pets give it a beating?
- Will the upholstered piece be positioned in a room that is exposed to much light? Or in a room that is dimly lit.
- How long do you expect the fabric to last before considering re-covering it? 5 years while the children are small or while you are renting? Do you want this piece of furniture to last 10-15 years?
Fabric Performance Categories
All fabrics are rated in performance categories. These categories have been determined by rub tests. Which the results determine which category the fabric fits into. These ratings are determined by an independent Australasian Standard (AS2687)
The following is an example of a list Warwick Fabrics has for their performance categories.
- Decorative-recommend for areas where the furniture is used sparingly. e.g.. Bedroom chair.
- General Domestic - recommended for areas where adults used the furniture regularly but not in constant use by the whole family.
- Heavy Domestic - Recommended for areas where the furniture is subjected to heavy use by the whole family. This quality is also recommended for general commercial use. e.g. boardrooms and reception ares.
- Commercial - Recommend for hard everyday use in a commercial area.
The above codes are a guide and not a guarantee of durability as every piece of fabric is subject to different use.
Fabric Care
The following information will help to attain your fabric’s maximum life expectancy.
- Vacuum regularly at least once a week. All surfaces, cushions, Dust accumulates daily on all fabrics and is abrasive and often acidic. Accelerated wear is to be expected if regular vacuuming is not carried out. Always use the appropriate upholstery attachment.
- Food spillage's on pile fabrics - This applies to flocks and woven velvets. Do not try to chip off hardened food as this can cause the pile to be removed. Moisten the soiling and the wipe the fabric gently.
- Rotate and reverse cushions - at least once a month to minimise “ favourite chair look”.
- Prevent UV Damage - using sensible window treatments, cushion rotation and furniture rearrangement will help minimise colour loss or fibre damage cause to most fabrics by UV exposure. Even short regular exposure can cause damage.
- Keep pets and sharp objects away from fabric. Fur is particularly oily and may cause permanent discolouration. Claws, belt buckles, heels, keys and knives can cut or pull fibres causing the fabric permanent damage.
Spills
Always attend to spills or marks straight away, being careful not to push stain into the fabric.
Check and follow the manufacturer’s care label for information relevant to your fabric (should be stitched to the base of your sofa or chair). Use the specified type of solution only.
Most stains can be treated with dry cleaning fluid or upholstery shampoo. If unsure call a professional carpet cleaner who can clean upholstered furniture as well.