[GlynE]

Hello - Just wondered if anyone knew of any problems that may be encountered when cleaning a regency stripe sofa but which has Horsehair filling. Just a little bit concerned as to how horsehair reacts to a HWE clean. Any advice would be gratefully received. many thanks

[Paul Redden Countryfresh]

How are you? Nice to hear from you again, how did it go with the nightmare guest house job?
Paul

[GlynE]

Fine Thank you paul, How are you??? Finally sorted about 2 weeks or so ago. Insurance company paid in full (Apart from £250 excess). Coincidentally we have just noticed that the Guest House has just been put up for sale....

[Mike Halliday]

your solution shouldn't really be passing through the fabric to come into contact with the horsehair, maybe turn down the pressure and do more dry strokes to be on the safe side

[M.Acorn]

Did have a custy ask if i could clean 2 of her horsehair filled sofa`s ,she paid over 2 grand to have them re upholstered,i said no,but would like to know if they are wet cleanable ?

[GlynE]

Thank you Mike. Will do as you advise. We have a CFR ECO500 that we use for upholstery, so will keep pressure low....

is that VW Scirocco in the pic Mark??

[M.Acorn]

Sure is  Not a normal one though,it`s had lot`s of modifications

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

I don't know for sure but wouldn't horsehair react like any other natural fibre esp feather?

If so keep moisture down and dry off as quickly as possible so that any natural odour stops once the filling is dried out.

Roger

[GlynE]

very nice - we used to have one very similar (minus modifications) & an Audi Quatro - loved them. Very Ashes to Ashes....

[GlynE]

Thank you Roger. I must admit it was the odour we were most worried about....

[Simon@arenaclean]

I've never cleaned one so I maybe wrong. Would the horse hair not have a natural oil to it and could this be released and bleed? Would it be solvent sensitive too? I appreciate Mike's point but if the material is quite thin it maybe unavoidable.

[M.Acorn]

Would the horse hair not have a natural oil to it and could this be released and bleed?

That was my worry.

& an Audi Quatro - loved them. Very Ashes to Ashes..

Bloke in the village down the road,has a quarto exact same one as in the show,it`s mint 
I did get to use an Audi the same but not the quarto,not as quick as the roc though

[Nigel_W]

The problem with horsehair upholstery is that the horsehair contains particles of organic material which can wick to the fabric surface when wet. These stains are very difficult to remove once they have occurred. Therefore there is an element of risk which is best reduced by using something like a cfr upholstery tool (with the 01 jet fitted) or a drimaster. If the horsehair filling does not get wet then there is no risk.

Nigel
www.designcare.co.uk

[murky]

If its old and there is horsehair in the filling I allways dry clean them, had problem with one years ago when I wet cleaned it.

Staining on the arm went funny and it wouldnt go back so had to pay an upholster I knew to put it right. He had been told by another CCer that they allways dry clean so thats what I do know.

Its not worth the worry and hassle.

Murky

[GlynE]

Yes - I think you are right about it not being worth the hassle. We are not going to risk it. He was considering replacing it with something more modern as the fabric is worn in some places & quite thin, so I think that will just help make up his mind. Thank you for all your kind help everyone

[Paul Redden Countryfresh]

Yes - I think you are right about it not being worth the hassle. We are not going to risk it. He was considering replacing it with something more modern as the fabric is worn in some places & quite thin, so I think that will just help make up his mind. Thank you for all your kind help everyone
[/quote

Wise decision Glynn......life is a learning curve.