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"Texture Distortion" - #1 Upholstery Cleaning Problem Today!
Texture distortion continues as the leading cause of costly damage claims paid by todays cleaning professionals!
While many cleaners focus their efforts on preventing browning and color damage when they clean, far too few worry at all about how textured fabrics (chenille, velvet, microfiber, etc) look and feel after cleaning, and that oversight costs the cleaners in both lost money and lost reputation.
In discussions that I have had with leading furniture manufacturers, the individuals with whom I spoke did not complain about cleaners damaging dyes or causing browning, they instead spoke about the incredible amount of texture damage done during the cleaning process!
Today's fine fabric specialist must recognize that some of the delicate textures that they encounter are not just velvets, which have for years been the fabric most concentrated on in cleaning classes.
Today's delicate textures now also include such varied products as chenille and microfibers. While the difference between a rayon chenille and a polyester microfiber may seem to be worlds apart, both can be easily (and perhaps irreparably) damaged by a careless cleaner.
Use the following "quick checklist" to help to prevent damaging the furniture your customer has entrusted you to care for:
#1. Pre-Inspect and Pre-Qualify your work: Many of these fabrics have already been damaged by abuse from your customer, their children and/or their pets. Make sure you discuss all pre-existing problems before you start to clean.
"A spot on a natural fiber velvet fabric like this one below may be impossible to remove without causing some level of permanent distortion, no matter how careful you are! Make sure the customer is advised accordingly".
#2. Precondition using a soft brush. Brush in the direction of the lay of the nap, if any. Use only a horsehair brush or a clean, white, folded towel for this step.
#3. Extract using the 'Upholstery Pro' upholstery cleaning tool. There are plenty of good “cleaning tools”, but there is no tool I have ever used that creates as little distortion during the cleaning process as this tool. The 'Upholstery Pro' cleans and extracts as well as any tool available, but most importantly it does not leave jet streaks, and creates only occasional, easy to remove lines at the edges of the tool. Post grooming of fabric is far easier and less time consuming when you clean using the 'Upholstery Pro'.
#4. Use as little cleaning or rinsing agent as possible: Most alkaline cleaning agents leave residues that stiffen the fabric. Never use carpet cleaning detergent in your “rinse”. Use an acidic rinse agent that has been formulated to neutralize cleaning agents, stabilize dyes, and leave fabrics soft and bright.
#5. Groom the fabric. Grooming techniques for velvet, chenille, and microfibers are all somewhat different, but all should be groomed immediately after extraction, then again after drying with fans.
Follow these steps and you will have far better results as well as happier customers who will appreciate your efforts as a fine fabric specialist who cares.
eCleanAdvisor.com Members message from Jim P:
"For more information on texture restoration
and the one tool EVERY fine fabric specialist
must have, Click on the link below:
https://www.ecleanadvisor.com/members/810.cfm
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.
New Date Announced!
August 14 - 15, 2026
Attleboro, MA
New Class Coming to Florida later this year!
How Can You Benefit From This?
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