Mikey P
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ANNEX B — HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH UPHOLSTERY FOR ACCURATE IDENTIFICATION
Identifying upholstery correctly requires seeing what the cleaner sees—not what might resemble it in a printed manual. Photos taken properly allow AI and human experts to determine fiber type, weave, dye stability risks, cushion construction, and cleaning limitations.
This Annex teaches technicians how to capture clear, diagnostic, meaningful images that reveal all the clues professionals need.
B-1 — The Purpose of Taking Diagnostic Photos
Clear, well-taken photos allow reviewers to:
- identify fiber families (cotton, linen, rayon/viscose, synthetic, blends)
- see weave type (plain, loose, jacquard, velvet, chenille)
- evaluate pile behavior
- assess dye risk
- identify preexisting damage
- determine moisture tolerance
- understand cushion construction
- identify down ticking vs foam fill
- detect consumer spotter residue
- evaluate sun fade or wear
- choose the safest cleaning method
Bad photos lead to bad advice.
Good photos eliminate 80% of guesswork.
B-2 — Four Essential Photo Types
Every technician should take all four photo types before requesting support or beginning cleaning.
1. Full Piece Photo (6–10 feet away)
Purpose: Shows the overall construction, style, and condition.
- Stand back far enough to capture the entire piece
- Include arms, cushions, back, and skirt
- Make sure room lighting doesn’t cast deep shadows
- Hold phone steady and level
This gives reviewers an essential “big picture.”
2. Medium-Distance Photos (2–3 feet)
Purpose: Reveals soil patterns and fabric behavior.
- Capture arms, cushion tops, headrests
- Show the areas of concern without zooming
- Photograph both “clean” and “dirty” areas
Medium shots show soil load, texture, shadow patterns, and wear.
3. Close-Ups (4–6 inches away)
Purpose: Shows weave structure, sheen, texture, and fiber clues.
- Hold camera steady
- Use ample light
- Avoid shadows from your own hand
- Capture flat sections and seams
- Take multiple angles
Close-ups help experts identify natural vs synthetic fibers, rayon/viscose sheen, velvet pile direction, and construction details.
4. Extreme Close-Ups / Macro Shots (1–2 inches)
Purpose: Reveals individual fibers and surface behavior.
- Brace your hand against the furniture
- Use a steady grip
- Let the camera auto-focus
- Take several shots—one will be perfect
- Avoid motion blur
Macro photos confirm fiber identity and dye characteristics.
B-3 — Photographing Tags & Labels
Labels are the most accurate source of fiber data.
Technicians should photograph:
- tags under removable cushions
- sewn-in labels on cushion interiors
- tags under skirt or frame
- manufacturer cleaning codes
- breakdowns like “85% polyester, 15% viscose”
- safety/ticking labels on down cushions
Sometimes the label alone answers the whole question.
B-4 — Photographing Problem Areas
Problem areas are just as important as fiber identification.
Common areas to document:
- water rings
- browning
- discoloration
- pet oil deposits
- consumer spotter residue
- texture distortion
- sun fade
- worn seams or thinning fabric
- ink or dye stains
- previous cleaning damage
Technique:
- Take a close-up
- Take a medium-distance shot
- Take a full-panel shot
This helps experts understand context, severity, and risk.
B-5 — Correct Lighting Makes All the Difference
Lighting is the #1 factor separating good photos from unusable ones.
Do:
✔ Use natural daylight when possible
✔ Turn on room lights
✔ Use white LED bulbs
✔ Photograph from multiple angles
✔ Eliminate harsh shadows
Don’t:
✘ Photograph in dim rooms
✘ Shoot under yellow incandescent bulbs
✘ Use flash unless absolutely necessary
✘ Allow sensor noise from low-light shots
Lighting reveals:
- sheen (critical for rayon/viscose ID)
- pile direction
- surface texture
- discoloration
- fiber clarity
- spotter residue patterns
Good lighting = correct diagnosis.
B-6 — Photographing Cushion Interiors
If cushion covers are zippered and safe to open:
- Unzip carefully
- Pull back cover without removing completely
- Photograph interior fill
Why this matters:
- cotton batting = browning and slow drying risk
- down = ticking discoloration risk
- poly wrap = fast drying
- foam = stable
Interior photos often explain why a fabric behaves unpredictably.
B-7 — When to Record a Quick Video
Videos are incredibly helpful for showing:
- pile direction on velvet
- sheen changes on rayon/viscose
- patterns of sun fading
- behavior when brushing
- how loose weaves shift
- wicking or moisture movement
- texture collapse
A 5–10 second video often reveals what photos cannot.
B-8 — Uploading Photos to TheCleaningStandard.com
To get accurate feedback:
- Upload all photo types listed above
- Add a short description:
- age of furniture
- pet/kid usage
- soil load
- prior cleaning
- consumer spotter attempts
- Describe what you want to know:
- “Is this rayon?”
- “Can I safely HWE this?”
- “What method should I use?”
- “Is this browning or fading?”
Providing complete information ensures fast, accurate support.
B-9 — Why No Photos Appear in This Manual
This philosophy sets TheCleaningStandard.com apart from outdated industry practices.
Technicians need real-time identification based on their actual furniture—not generic examples.
Modern AI + human expertise gives the safest, most accurate guidance.
