[Mike Osbourne]

I was contented over the holiday season knowing I'd had a fair old December for me and 3 fair jobs booked for first week back.

By yesterday two had cancelled (one cold one still abroad)

Not to worry I thought had a sofa to do today. BUT did the inspection pre Christmas and was told previous chap had made a hash of it. It was a cotton with light cream, colour floral design.

Apparently it had run but he came back and 'fixed' it. I saw no evidence of a problem but made a big meal out of testing back of cushion, Fabric rest, agitate, dwell acid rinse bone dry with hair dryer. All colours fine.

Anyway today I clean it, tested again! Then cleaned with major effort to dry. CFR hand tool, loads of dry passes, toweled blower.

Then I notice a light green plant stems gone yellow! They looked like bleach splashes.

They aren't obvious thanks to the design, but I know it's there.

To me it's like he's used a felt tip pen to recolour these areas and when I've cleaned it it's come straight out.

If custy rings up, can I re dye these areas? Or any other suggestions?

   

 

[*paul_moss]

Mike yes and no.
The alarm bells should have rang with this one and I would have walked I think. If its cotton then a fabric marker will colour it back for you, you can get them from most fabric type shops around a tenner each,but you have to be quite skilfull with your art work  steady hand and all that. Once done the colour needs to be set via heat, you can use an iron for this, again test first on a back or underneath area first.The other guy has prob done the same trick after the last clean but not set the dye afterwards.

[Ian Rochester]

Woolworths do some kids felt pens, 50 various colours for £1.99  

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Mike

It could be a pH sensitive dye which can be turned back by dabbing with neat acid rinse, I would certainly try this before anything else.

Cheers

Doug

[Ken Wainwright]

If it is a pH sensitive dye, and, as stated, an acid rinse has already been used, the chances are that a treatment of Sodium Bicarbonate in solution is more likely to return the original colour.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[Mike Osbourne]

LOL there was a voice saying walk away walk away. I thought I had a fool proof system.

Tried neat acid rinse on one of the blotches Doug, no joy.

Will have to invest in some pens if I get the call then Paul.

Deinately bad judgement call on my part, but I am learning.  

Ian: They are even cheaper in the Woolies January sale.