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Spot Cleaning Tips

There are several important factors to consider BEFORE attempting to remove spots and spills from your fabrics and floor coverings. Remembering these simple steps will greatly increase your ability to react to accidents when they occur.
 

Any individual fibers, depending on how it is woven together, has between 50-80% of space in and around its surface. The first step in removing solid or semi-solid substances is to LIFT IT OUT with a vacuum cleaner attachment. If that is not possible at the time, use a spatula, spoon, or knife to remove it. DO NOT RUB it deeper into the airspace of the fibers!


The next step is to determine whether the material is Washable or “Dry Clean Only”. Water or water-based cleaners can permanently damage “Dry Clean Only” fibers. Always check for the cleaning code before going any further.

 

  • If the spot is INORGANIC, such as oil, tar, grease, gum, or ink (no matter what type of fiber you are cleaning), use a DRY CLEANING SOLVENT.  Water will only make the spot worse.

  • If the spot is ORGANIC, such as blood, food, juice, soil, or grass, AND THE FABRIC IS WASHABLE, using a water-based cleaner is appropriate. Put a few drops of the appropriate cleaner on a clean, white terry-cloth towel, NOT DIRECTLY ON THE SPOT. Working from the outside inward, gently lift the spot up. DO NOT RUB!


Keep using a clean part of the towel until the spot has been transferred. Do not get the spot too damp with water or with the cleaner you are using! Statistically, only one in forty water rings will ever come out completely even with a professional cleaning. Blot dry and repeat if necessary. To avoid rings, feather a slightly dampened towel lightly around the edges. Dry quickly with a hair dryer on the coolest setting or use an electric fan. Remember, nothing will stop strong acids, dyes, and bleaches from permanent staining. Be careful!


For overall cleaning assistance or if you need help, please contact us!

Preventive Maintenance

Vacuum. This is the most important step. It releases unseen soil and fibers last longer.

Damp dust arms, headrests, base of furniture, and fronts of bottom cushions.

Rotate cushions for even wear.

Do your best to keep it stain free.

Avoid direct morning and evening sunlight. It will fade colors on your fabrics.

Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.

FiberGard Plus! Lab Test Results

The following comments are taken from a summary

of two independent lab tests performed at:

Consumer Testing Laboratories, Inc.

Clemson University, School of Textiles, Fiber & Polymer Science

“The sample exhibits good physical properties, composed of a homogenous liquid with no foreign material noted. The sample has a water-thin viscosity and does not emit an odor that is unusually offensive. The sample is very slightly acidic, having a pH value of 6.36.”

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“It should be noted that applications of the products does create a barrier in preventing stains from setting in up to one hour. The sample keeps the stains from breaking the barrier to chemically bond to the fibers to create permanent staining. This allows stains to be cleaned effectively as the spill occurs.”

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“The stains applied were: black coffee, red wine, tomato juice, cola, motor oil, and chocolate ice cream. The only stains that remained on the fabrics within five minutes after application was a trace of the motor oil. All other stains were completely removed.”

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“The substrates used in the test were: cotton, nylon, synthetic carpet, wool, polyester, and a cotton/poly blend…Once applied, the sample increases the tensile strength of cotton and nylon fabrics more than 10%. The sample does increase the abrasion resistance on cotton/poly fabric. After 6,000 cycles on a Wyzenbeck Abrader with a standard screen mesh, an untreated sample revealed broken threads, on the surface, while the treated sample remained unscathed.”

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“The sample exhibits good application properties with the separate sprayer included.”

Dare to Compare
FiberGard Plus! vs. Competitors

FiberGard Plus!

  • Contains no water – 100% active ingredients

  • Up to 5 times greater coverage area per ounce

  • Penetrating action protects fibers from the inside out

  • “Wicks” 2”-6” past spray pattern – no overlapping needed

  • Increases durability 40-60%

  • Safe on virtually all fibers: silk, wool, cotton, blends, sisal, sea grass, polyester, etc.

  • No change in fabric feel

  • No change in fabric color

  • No change in fabric finish

  • ​No fabric shrinkage

VS.

Competitors

  • Diluted with water or other harmful chemicals / propellants

  • Limited coverage

  • Surface coating only

  • No wicking action – overlapping required

  • No increase in durability

  • Can cause problems on cotton, rayon, or fabric blends

  • Fibers may become coarse or stiff

  • Could change or dull color

  • Could dull or strip finish

  • Possibility of shrinkage

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