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caring for your fabrics

Careful and regular maintenance is the key to prolonging the life and retaining the appearance of soft furnishings. The following notes are offered as a brief guide on the care and cleaning of fabrics and wallpapers.

fabrics

  • The principal causes of soiling are airborne dust, cigarette smoke, gas or open fires and accidental spillage or staining. Most of these can be avoided or at least reduced; others can be remedied by timely and appropriate maintenance.
  • The regular use of a vacuum cleaner with an appropriate attachment can significantly extend the life of furnishings. Curtains and upholstery should be vacuum cleaned once a week.
  • The professional application of a proprietary stain resist agent can aid in preventing premature soiling, particularly on upholstery.
  • Always follow the recommendations given by the care symbols in price lists and pattern books.
  • Never wait until an article is visibly dirty before washing or cleaning.

washing

  • Washing is an appropriate cleaning method for small items and has the advantage that it can be carried out at home, although there are certain pitfalls to be avoided.
  • Wash fabrics regularly and do not wait until heavy soiling has occurred.
  • It is important not to wash large items such as full-length curtains or loose covers in a domestic washing machine as the abrasion resulting from too large a load will cause colour loss, shrinkage and/or creasing.
  • Follow the fabric manufacturer’s recommendations in relation to temperature, wash method, drying and ironing procedures. These are all indicated by the Care Symbols, a key to which can be found below.
  • Never use bleaches when washing soft furnishings. Remember also that almost all washing powders contain bleach or optical brightening agents for that ‘whiter than white’ look. Unfortunately they do also have the disadvantage of dulling colours, or causing apparent fading, so use mild liquid detergents for items that will be washed regularly. Nowadays there are specialised detergents or washing powders specifically designed for colours or black items.
  • Do not soak fabrics for prolonged periods of time, or leave in a washing machine while still damp, as migration of colour can occur.

dry cleaning

  • Where dry cleaning is advised make sure the cleaner is made aware of the appropriate process. Many types of fabric require careful treatment with reduced agitation, and specific solvents. This is indicated by the Care Symbols.
  • Remember also that there are good and bad dry cleaners – The Association of British Launderers and Cleaners can provide a list of approved establishments.
  • It is generally inadvisable to use proprietary spot-cleaners or dry-cleaning aerosol sprays, except when specifically approved for certain fabric types: it is better to use professional on-site cleaning contractors.

light fastness

  • Printed or dyed furnishing fabrics nowadays have good inherent resistance to fading in light, but all fabrics do fade eventually.
  • Curtains and blinds should always be lined and, if possible, drawn right back from the windows during daylight hours. Do not assume that because you live in a northern climate your curtains will not be affected: the damaging UV rays in sunlight, which cause fading, do penetrate cloudy skies!
  • Shutters or sun awnings will give added protection in sunny areas.
  • Sheer curtains and voiles are particularly vulnerable to fading. Whenever possible hang lining curtains to protect them.
  • Silk curtains should always be lined to protect them from UV light.

shrinkage

  • All woven fabrics, particularly those made from natural fibres such as cotton or linen will shrink to some extent. It is quite normal for furnishing fabrics to shrink in washing, sometimes by as much as 6 – 8%.
  • Dry-cleaning (which, of course, is not a ‘dry’ process at all) can also cause shrinkage, although generally to a lesser extent.
  • Much of the shrinkage caused in washing can be regained by ironing the fabric while still slightly damp in the direction of shrinkage and gently stretching it.
  • It is generally accepted that wash temperature is an important factor but equally significant are the effects of mechanical agitation and drying temperature and method. Again be careful to follow the instructions given by the Care Symbols.
  • Take care not to dry washed items too quickly. Tumble-drying should be avoided whenever possible, as it can cause creasing and shrinkage.
  • Curtains should always be made with an adequate hem, loosely tacked until after the first washing or cleaning. Side seams or attached linings should be hand-slipped to allow for differential movement between face fabric and lining. Always use a thread of the same fibre as the fabric you are sewing.
  • Curtains may shrink or extend in use owing to fluctuations in atmospheric temperature and/or humidity.
  • Make sure that curtains do not hang too close to windows or radiators where either excessive moisture from condensation or excessive heat and dryness can have dramatic effects, in terms of dimensional stability and soiling.

straightness of print of weave

  • Fabrics often appear to be bowed or skewed but this is usually a temporary condition caused by uneven rolling. If fabrics are slightly out of true they can usually be corrected by gently easing the fabric prior to cutting.
  • Printed fabrics should always be cut at right angles to the selvedge, rather than on the grain of the cloth.

Mezzola™

  • Mezzola™ is the registered trade mark of a superior microfibre textile product developed by Designers Guild. It is luxurious and comfortable, soft to the touch yet hardwearing and durable. Mezzola™ combines the best of both worlds – not only beautiful to look at but also easy to care for and soil/stain resistant.
  • As with all furnishings, regular and careful maintenance will preserve the beauty and prolong the life of your Mezzola™ product. Whilst regular cleaning is desirable it is important not to use excessively vigorous methods and always take great care when dealing with localised stains.
  • It is recommended to vacuum-clean or brush with a soft brush two or three times a week.
  • Every two or three weeks run a damp, white cloth over your furniture to remove dust. Do not use coloured cloths or paper towels.

Once a year you should clean your furniture by one of the following methods:

  • If the covers are removable they can be washed on a low temperature setting in a washing machine or taken to the laundry. The covers should not be spun dry, to avoid creasing but may be tumble dried at the lowest temperature setting.
  • If the covers are not removable they may be cleaned in situ by a professional cleaning company, but make sure you tell them that the fabric is 100% polyester microfibre as excessive heat may damage the covers.
  • If you wish you can clean the furniture yourself using a damp clean cloth, well wrung out, and run it over the Mezzola™ fabric, being sure not to wet it too much. Repeat as necessary until no further soiling is removed the leave to dry thoroughly.
  • After drying you may brush with a soft bristle brush to restore the surface appearance.