[Steven Butler]

Firstly thanks to those who advised me on this weeks upholstery jobs, especially the faux suede (leather i was told). Especially John Kelly who even spoke about products he doesn't supply to help me which shows what a good bloke he is. Just had an email from the delighted customer and they have booked in their carpets.
Dont know why i still get nervous because ive had training...anyway top result again.
Also is their any upholstery sample books available to help identify upholstery fabrics???
Cheers

[Aaron stanton]

try a fashion fabric swatch book maybe on amazon. might not have all the upholstery types we come across to clean but may help with the more delicate fabrics. I need to get 1 as well.

[Neil Jones]

Restormate are a great company for products and advice. No bias which I like.

[sean oregan]

Must agree Neil, I have spoke to John and yes very helpful

[Mike Halliday]

Do you have a Multiyork near you?

They will give you old sample books or go in the store and just browse the vast amount of fabric swatches they have on display.

But to be honest, I think it's impossible  identifying most fabrics by eye, Once you know the obvious ones it's a case of cleaning a test area on the suite then doing a visual inspection to qualify if you can clean the rest.

I'm still  honest with customers, if I come across a fabric I don't recognise I tell them I'm not familiar with the fabric so need to clean a test area when I arrive to see if it's suitable for cleaning, then I will clean either the full pouffé or an area at the back of the chair.

Most carpet cleaners don't identify the fabric before cleaning, they just recognise it or just jump in

[David Ware]

Firstly thanks to those who advised me on this weeks upholstery jobs, especially the faux suede (leather i was told). Especially John Kelly who even spoke about products he doesn't supply to help me which shows what a good bloke he is. Just had an email from the delighted customer and they have booked in their carpets.
Dont know why i still get nervous because ive had training...anyway top result again.
Also is their any upholstery sample books available to help identify upholstery fabrics???
Cheers

I have always treated upholstery cleaning as a bit of a mine field to be honest.  My sense of smell is not great so burn tests are not that good to me.  Wet testing and a sense that a lot of people forget is one we should learn very quickly and that is common sense.  I have used it to say no on a few occasions, better to turn work down than own someone else's property.
David

[scott johns]

good comment dave who wants to own a 2nd hand suite that you failed to check 1st if in doubt walk away

[DB]

I thoroughly enjoy cleaning upholstery fabrics (I am obviously mad) and haven't refused to clean one yet.

If all the relative tests are carried out plus you fully understand the chemicals you propose to use, you discuss the processes and likely results with the customer before you start then you shouldn't have a problem.

I do concur that it is better to walk away if you are not totally comfortable with cleaning a particular fabric