Upholstery cleaning requires far more
extensive skill and knowledge to master than carpet cleaning. There are several
reasons for this. First, the range of fabric fiber types involved is double
what one commonly finds in carpet, requiring the cleaner to have a wider understanding
of fabric cleaning technology. Generally, most fabrics are comprised of one
or of various multiple blends of twelve different fiber types including cottons: (processed,
semi-processed, and unprocessed); or rayon; polyester; olefin; acrylic; linen;
nylon; acetate; wool; or silk. There are also a small handful of fibers made
from exotic plants or animal furs out there as well, but they are extremely
rare in America. Any other trade names in use, such as Herculon, Acrylon,
Dacron, Visa, etc., are merely proprietary names for blends of synthetics
already included in the list above. Many upholstery fabrics are significantly
more delicate and sensitive than carpet fabrics, as they are sold based on
comfort and soft texture, as opposed to carpet which needs to be more durable
since we walk on it. Obviously, an ignorant cleaner can do a lot of damage
if they use an incorrect method or chemical. Further complicating the matter
of upholstery fabric cleaning is the lack of comprehensive and accurate information
being circulated. While the major carpet manufacturing mills now proactively
cooperate with the cleaning industry to exchange information and cleaning
recommendations, the upholstery cleaning fabric makers have been much slower
to date to follow suit. One reason for this is the extensive knowledge required
by a cleaner to properly use effective methods. One properly trained cleaner
can use the same chemistry, equipment, and process as another poorly trained
cleaner and get very different results. For this reason, many fabric manufacturers
are hesitant to recommend any process that has any potential whatsoever to
cause damage in the wrong cleaning technician's hands, so they instead largely
recommend a safe, but inferior cleaning process across the board to limit
their liability. See more information under "S" Code cleaning. Your best
bet is to rely on an IICRC certified and experienced upholstery cleaning expert. Remember;
the people who sell furniture or carpet are less likely to give you accurate
information. Why? Because they are not required to have extensive
day to day skills in cleaning. As far as they are concerned, cleaning is an
aftermarket service and therefore only a peripheral concern. For the most
part, they are only required to be good at closing sales deals on new furniture.
In most instances, they should direct your inquiries to a certified cleaning
company rather than hold themselves out as seasoned experts qualified to give
advice.
|
