Dry cleaning..

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I have a property manager that gives me a lot of work and I'm really grateful for her.. I went to look at her couch that she wants cleaned and it said dry clean only.

Can I just buy a dry solvent and clean it by hand? If so what Chem and process would be best?
 

Pat Muller

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In many cases the "S" only marking on upholstery means the fabric will have some issues with straight water extraction cleaning.
Chemspec has a Dry Fabric Cleaner that is a water free cleaning agent.
In most cases you can do a low moisure foam cleaning using Chemspec Fast Drying Upholstery Shampoo

You can also do waht we call a barrier clean
Apply Dry fabric cleaner to the material, apply Chemspec Upholstery Prespray ontop of the solvent, agitate into the fiber and dry extract.
 
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Vacuum intensely, use compressed air if available in your shop, to remove as much dry as possible.

Then, after testing, clean with the minimum moisture needed to get good results,taking care to mist it evenly.

Wipe down with white towels.
 
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Jim Pemberton

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Make sure that she clearly understands that you'll need to wear PPE, that the fabric will likely not be completely "dry" for 24 hours...Because "Dry Clean" is an oxymoron...its neither "dry" nor "clean" when you are done.

If she is ok with all of that, also make sure she clearly understands how limited the result will be, even with the use of the very good advice you got from Pat Muller.

After that discussion, test the fabric to see if it has dyes that are only colorfast to petroleum solution (VERY rare, but in the realm of possibility) or if she's trying to retain the original texture of a rayon chenille that's never been sat on.

Other than that, there are so many better options for very low moisture cleaning that will be as safe, if not safer, than the use of solvents, and will leave the fabric dry in hours not days.

...and it will smell much...much better.
 
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I seldom ever use any OMS related solvents any more, for some of the reasons Jim noted.

Just NEVER attempt cleaning the complete unknown. Test and get educated beforehand.

That beats being "tested and educated" afterwards.

As an old dog I'm guilty of saying "no problem" while a newbie may overlook a red flag and charge ahead.
 

Desk Jockey

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I went to look at her couch that she wants cleaned and it said dry clean only.
OMS works fine as a dry cleaning solvent but it only removes light soils. It smells clean but has limited cleaning ability.

Are there arm caps or a throw pillow you can test clean? Many fabrics that say "Dry Clean Only" can be safely wet cleaned. you'd want to test them first. Use neutral solutions followed with an acid rinse. Dry type tools are the safest for delicate fabrics and then rapidly dried with an airmover.

A picture might help.
 

Zee

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Perhaps this job shouldn't be the one you learn on, how to clean them....I wouldn't bs her and pretend I know what to do. I'd be afraid of losing the business she's been giving.
 

Desk Jockey

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Honesty is the best policy. Tell her what you know...that even though its tagged DC many times its still wet cleanable. Wet cleaning is more thorough but you can do either.


I'd be afraid of losing the business she's been giving.
Never be afraid Zee, I'm here for you. ;)
 

ruff

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Many years ago Tom Hill (in an upholstery cleaning class) advised us (only half jokingly) to tear that label, the first moment the client was looking away.
The "S" label usually (not always) means that the manufacturer does not want the consumer to mess with it. It is about liability, not clean-ability.
The "S" must stand for "S"tay away "S"kippy.

Most of the sofas with those labels will clean just fine on the wet side with mild pre-spray, a mild rinse and good technique. I've done a few hundreds. It is always wise (unless, like Chavez, you want new furnishings in your home. I think he calls it: Marry Christmas honey) to test before hand on the zipper side with products that are somewhat stronger then what you intend to clean with, to check for bleeding, change of hand, distortion etc. And yes, it is a good idea to play it safe, considering who the client is and potential loss of business.

Dry cleaners are lousy cleaners and unhealthy for you. Dry foam is o.k. if there's absolutely no other choice. It works great particularly on totally clean fabrics.

On the other hand, for liability reasons and straight from our legal department: What do I know?
 
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Wing It

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Ask to take the cushions home and slowly experiment on your own time. It's easy to follow the rules when cleaning something that is not dirty but if it's dirty you need to know its limitations. Having it at your place if nothing else allows you to safely clean it several times. Sometimes multiple cleanings with mild products will do a great job on dirty items without the risk. Take your time on this one and build confidence and a cheerleader for next time.
 
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Mikey P

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The president of THE bank in town dropped off this emergency project for us yesterday.
Dog exploded on her "Silk Satin" dry clean only upholstery. It sat for over a week before they became aware of it.


We used Releasit and Ice rinse, sped dry and according to the lady whom we share a shop with, when the owner came to pick it up it looked perfect...



What do you think OMS would have done?


SniZjwF_5jANUA2t0Ahwqzybj9Tmjcz-V1tNALhZC34=w538-h955-no.jpg


pG1qpch8SL7SoDiqXERahHXpo2GA9uLYaIuecavM4gI=w538-h955-no.jpg
 
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There were ton of throw pillows. I'll go back over and get a picture and see if I could take a throw pillow home with me.

Is there a way to encapsulate it? Maybe that's been mentioned already.


In many cases the "S" only marking on upholstery means the fabric will have some issues with straight water extraction cleaning.
Chemspec has a Dry Fabric Cleaner that is a water free cleaning agent.
In most cases you can do a low moisure foam cleaning using Chemspec Fast Drying Upholstery Shampoo

You can also do waht we call a barrier clean
Apply Dry fabric cleaner to the material, apply Chemspec Upholstery Prespray ontop of the solvent, agitate into the fiber and dry extract.

Would interlink have anything comparable to these products? I have an interlink supply here local.
 

Jim Pemberton

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Post the picture please

An informed sales representative can let you know what products they have that might be equivalent to what Pat described. Just make sure that person understands that method; few people do.

You can also contact Pat. He can recommend the closest distributor who carries his products.

I highly doubt you will need to dry clean that piece of furniture though.
 
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ruff

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It reminds me of the old days when they did not have the Haitian cotton cleaners.
The methods they devised to clean them where straight out of fairy tales, the Grim kind.
 
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Jim Pemberton

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The "S" code issue won't go away until solvents cease being available...maybe.

Nick, if you want to, email me at jimscleanchat@gmail.com or call me at 800-342-2297, extension 107.

I don't want to see you having to buy expensive, ineffective, and difficult to use chemicals to do a cleaning job that quite possibility will displease your customer, if not actually sicken them from the fumes while it dries.

Its possible this fabric needs to be dry cleaned. Its also possible if you hear hoof beats outside of your window that somebody is riding a zebra on your street.

But my guess is its more likely to be a horse....and this fabric is more likely to be safe to clean with water based cleaning solutions.
 
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J Scott W

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There were ton of throw pillows. I'll go back over and get a picture and see if I could take a throw pillow home with me.
Is there a way to encapsulate it? Maybe that's been mentioned already.
Would interlink have anything comparable to these products? I have an interlink supply here local.

Likely that your local Interlink does have dry cleaning products similar to what where mentioned. They will also have encapsulation products avaialable. If you can bring in a throw pillow to the store, a good chance someone there can give you some guidance, maybe help with burn test or other fiber ID, test for colorfastnesss, advise on the proper products to use.
 

Brian H

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A story I have told many times is a job I went to clean. A matching sofa, loveseat and chair. All the exact same fabric and 3 different cleaning codes. "S", "S-W" and "X".

I have used this example countless times when telling customers about the cleaning codes on their furniture.

We don't see "X" codes much any more, but isn't fun to tell customers that the manufacturer has recommended that the only cleaning that can be done is to vacuum their furniture. When it gets soiled, you are supposed to either live with it or throw it away.
 

Desk Jockey

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We don't see "X" codes much any more, but isn't fun to tell customers that the manufacturer has recommended that the only cleaning that can be done is to vacuum their furniture. When it gets soiled, you are supposed to either live with it or throw it away.
I cleaned a red checker board dinning room set that had "X" on them. Should have followed the code.

I used Kleenrite Upholstery prespray. Greats stuff I used to love it. It packed a punch with ammonia in it.
Bleed a little red into the white where ever it was soiled heavily. I was able to correct it some but I should have been more cautious.

Sometimes I think I can perform miracles...and sometimes I do...and sometimes I fook shit up.
I personally have ruined more shit that anyone else here.
:errf:

Those without experience are far more careful. Those with experience are gamblers! :smile:
 

J Scott W

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Years ago on a tour of upholstgery manufacturer with Ed York. He aske the young guy who was applying the tags (looked to be about 16) how he knew which tag to put on which piece of upholstery. His reply, "When I run out all the labels in one box, I go and get the next box from the shelf."
 

ruff

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That guy had initiative and logic.
Here in the Bay Area he'd be considered a star employee.

Is he currently seeking employment?
 
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Doug Cox

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Yeah, Generally Blacks and Reds would be a dead giveaway for a bleeder but obviously some guys just ain't that bright.
 

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