When cleaning upholstery, testing and inspection should always your first step. The more aware you are of the fabric's dyes, fiber content and construction, the better the chance that you will choose the best and safest method.

As important as these steps are, there are additional risks that come from the parts of the furniture construction that you don't clean!

Examples of these problem areas include:

• DUST COVER: This fabric covers the bottom of furniture. In newer furniture, the dust cover is generally made of colorfast polypropylene. Caution must be exercised when cleaning older furniture, as this material may be made from non-colorfast cotton cambric. If the dust cover becomes wet from overspray or moisture migrates from skirts or other areas adjoining the dust cover, severe color bleeding may result. Dyes from the dust cover may stain skirts, the kickboard, or the carpet underneath!
   
• WOOD TRIM: Wooden arms, legs, and trim may be stained with water or solvent soluble materials. Never allow overspray to remain on these surfaces, and always dry fabrics adjoining these areas rapidly. If you suspect that there are areas of stained wood covered by fabric, use limited moisture and dry these areas quickly as well.
   
• BUTTONS: Never allow buttons to remain wet. In some cases the shell under the fabric is made of metal, and rusting may result.
   
• WELT CORDS OR PIPING: The rolled trim that is stitched into seams on cushion covers and other areas of the fabric may contain non-colorfast or non-durable materials. If the piping contains colored paper or jute cord, bleeding or browning may result. Paper stuffing materials may also weaken when wet, leaving the piping with a wilted or wrinkled appearance. If you dampen a clean towel with detergent and hand clean these areas, you should avoid any potential color or distortion problems.
   
• FILLING MATERIALS: Cotton felt, burlap, jute, and other cellulosic materials may be present directly under the fabric being cleaned. If these areas become wet from the use of improper tools or techniques, browning may occur. Apply all preconditioning agents with a fine mist or foam only, and avoid highly alkaline detergents at all costs. The use of extraction tools, such as the "DryMaster" Upholstery Tool that only wet one side of the fabric will also limit the risk of browning. These techniques also will lessen the chances of ink marks on cushions from bleeding through as well.
   
• PLATFORM MATERIAL: The platform, or deck, of furniture may be made from fabric that is different from that used on the rest of the piece. In many cases this material has sizing applied to give it body. This sizing may cause the material to water mark if cleaning materials drip or migrate into the fabric. This water marking or ringing may be avoided by evenly dampening the material before cleaning.
  
  A far greater problem with platform materials is bleeding. It is not uncommon for this material to be non-colorfast! NEVER put damp cushions back onto the platform! Damage from this type of bleeding is far too common and is completely avoidable. Always put damp cushions on colorfast paper or other clean, protective materials.

All of these problems can be avoided by carefully inspecting the item to be cleaned. Remember that you are cleaning materials that may be thinner (and more absorbent) than your shirt sleeve! Also keep in mind that there are materials underneath of, and adjoining, the fabric that are more sensitive than the furniture fabric itself.