Cleaning Very Old Fabrics

[Mikey P]

The title of this article could may seem vague, but you are far more likely to be asked to clean something kept too long or handed down from a family member than one that is a high priced antique or museum piece (though the information here should help you with those too.)   When you ...
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[Scott Rampage]

We have a customer with a 200 year old couch.

 

[Mikey P]

is the fabric that old Scott?

 

[Steve Lawrence]

Been there plenty o times. Make sure your customer sees the current condition, not the fabric they remember. Even that doesn't always work with the old and cranky and sometimes over demanding folks. Sheesh, we're not miracle workers.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I've always had better success with using old methods for old fabrics. Not getting too aggressive, using the foam from a neutral cleaning agent and misting or blotting or extracting when necessary with an acid side rinse. Also not putting too much suction on worn areas, using a screen when needed, toweling rather than using too much vacuum. Watch out for welting trim, old upholsterers often used any scraps for filler. You're best not wetting the trim if you can avoid it.

 

[Scott Rampage]

It has been reupholstered about 35 years ago.