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What Happened To My Furniture?
"What Happened To My Furniture?"
Receiving a call or text like this can ruin your day…or more!!
If furniture looks like this after you clean it, your customer may say that their furniture is “ruined”, which in their view means that it is permanently damaged.
The bad news is this: . . . They May be Right!
In other 'CleanTip' articles I've outlined how to remove the discoloration that we call “browning” from upholstery fabrics. However, what most cleaners don't know is that the physical changes that cause browning, and what is done to correct it, can both weaken the fabric and shorten its useful life!
How Browning Damages Furniture Fabrics:
When over wetting and/or the use of improper cleaning agents turn fabrics brown, the process structurally weakens cellulose natural fibers. This damage may not be readily detectable, but it is important to you, the cleaner, to understand that this is a destructive process, and one that should be avoided at all costs.
You must clearly state this issue to your customer if you are asked to correct browning that has been caused by a careless competitor. You are not simply removing soil when you remove browning and therefore leaving a fabric that is nearly "good as new". You are instead restoring the cosmetic appearance of a fabric that has been damaged by a competitor.
And . . . It COULD Get Worse!
Problem:
The corrective process of removing browning can be even more destructive than the browning itself!
Positive Outcome:
If you can correct the browning with the application of an organic acid treatment, such as a tannin spotter that contains no bleaches or reducing agents, then you will not cause additional damage.
Negative Outcome:
However, if the browning is severe and you have to use bleach/oxidizing agents, then you should be aware that you are causing further deterioration of the fibers, and repeated applications of such browning removal formulas may weaken the fabric enough that it will split during use in the near future. Delicate textures, such as chenille and velvet, will never have the original softness or appearance either, no matter how carefully you attempt to groom afterward because of this destruction of the fibers themselves.
The Bottom Line:
Browning is a condition that is completely preventable if you use the correct cleaning agents and proper cleaning procedures. If a fabric has been abused and is heavily soiled, you must choose carefully if you wish to clean such a fabric when browning might be a possibility after cleaning, as both the browning and your attempts to correct it are more destructive to the fabric than most are aware.
Recommendation:
Encourage your customers to have delicate natural fiber fabrics cleaned when they are only lightly soiled. In that way you can use cleaning processes that are safe for the fabric, and will leave the fabric both clean and will extend, rather than shorten, its useful life. This is also a good reason to have delicate natural fiber fabrics protected while new, or after cleaning to further ensure that regular maintenance can be scheduled to avoid the need for potentially destructive restorative methods.
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SUMMARY:
Upholstery cleaning professionals should use products that are formulated for upholstery fabrics. With few exceptions, using carpet cleaning products for upholstery will at best provide inconsistent results, and at worst create irreparable damage claims.
There are products that work extremely well in releasing oily soils from both people and their pets, as well as most spots and even stains created by family, guests, and pets. Your best results will come when you have products divided between those that are safe and effective for natural fibers, as well as those that are more aggressive for synthetic fiber fabrics.
If you'd like to know more about the products that I've tested extensively and am confident will work well for you each time, every time, feel free to email me at: jimscleanchat @gmail.com
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Coming Soon . . .
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Jim Pemberton's
Fabric Pro Upholstery Specialist Workshop
"Specialist" Course With Extensive "Hands On" Training
Class size is very limited for personal attention purposes, so register today.
Please Join Us Here - December 4 - 5, 2025 in McKeesport, PA
How Can You Benefit From This?
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