Coated Furniture Fabric 

FABRIC FACTS

prevents the smooth yarns from slipping and unraveling. (2) The coating gives the

fabric additional body and stiffness. The coating is usually rubber or latex. The

cleaner usually only receives the pillow covers as they are the only removable part.

The fact that the cover has a zipper does not mean that the manufacturer intends

that it should be removed. The zipper is for the use of the manufacturer in

obtaining a tight fit. Coated covers can be made of any fiber. Those fabrics woven

with olefin or polypropylene yarns may be sold under the trade names of Herculon,

Durel, Marvess and Vectra.

FABRIC PROBLEMS

The fabric coating may dissolve in drycleaning or peel and crack from mechanical

action in drycleaning or in normal use and wear. When the coating is totally or

partially lost, the fabric shreds because the loose weave with large size yarns are

no longer held in place. The shredding occurs when the yarns slip past the seam

edges where the pillow covers have shallow seam allowances and unfinished or

bound seam edges. Once the fabric starts to shred, it cannot be corrected. The

entire fabric will eventually shred. Loss of body takes place as the fabric coating is

removed through normal use or in the drycleaning process. Shrinkage will result

because olefin is extremely heat-sensitive. Shrinkage may also result if the fabric

coating which was used on the fabric stretched in manufacturing, or if the fabric

was not pre-shrunk. As the coating is lost, relaxation shrinkage occurs.

INSPECTION

Turn pillow covers inside out and inspect the reverse side of the fabric. Look for

peeling and cracking. Feel the fabric to determine whether it is stiff, rubbery or

gummy. Even though these conditions have not occurred, it is wise to test the

fabric by rubbing an unexposed seam with cheesecloth saturated with amyl

acetate. Look for peeling and feel for tackiness. Obtain a customer's written release

against shrinkage since even a 2% shrinkage factor may render the furniture cover

unusable. Also obtain a written release if the pillow covers are badly soiled, stained

or faded. The condition may not be improved. Olefin fiber is the most heat

sensitive of all the man made fibers. To test for heat sensitivity, remove a yarn

from a seam and hold a match to it. Olefin will shrink away from the flame.

DRYCLEANING

This process is hazardous to most coated fabrics. A customer release must be

obtained. Dryclean for only 1 minute in a high solvent level. Use no moisture to

minimize the loss of coating and to reduce the possibility of shredding and fabric

shrinkage. It is safer to limit the tumbling and allow to dry with air circulation only.

Surface cleaning is safer but not thorough. Use a shampoo lather on the surface

and remove with a damp cloth.

PRESPOTTING

Because of the recommended short drycleaning cycle, loosen and remove

imbedded soil before drycleaning by prespotting. Use wetside prespotters. Dryside

lubricants will adversely affect the coating. Use limited mechanical action and

tamping to prevent peeling and cracking of coating.

SPOTTING

Hold the steam gun at least eight inches from the fabric surface to avoid yarn

separation and possible damage from the heat. Use a neutral lubricant and tamp or

brush very lightly. Avoid using dryside lubricants and solvent.

WETCLEANING

Wetcleaning may be safer to the coating but may produce shrinkage, especially on

cottons, linens and rayons. Hand wash pillow covers because machine washing

may cause shrinkage, shredding and peeling. Soak in cool water at about 90° F

with a mild lubricant. Brush lightly, rinse thoroughly, extract and hang to dry.

FINISHING

Do not use steam or heat when finishing pillow covers made with olefin fiber.

Shrinkage and puckering may result. When touch-up finishing is required, use a

cool iron. Other fibers may be steamed and stretched.

SUMMARY

Coated furniture fabrics are usually unserviceable. The coating substance seldom

will withstand the mechanical action in normal use or in the drycleaning

procedures. The coating substance is usually soluble in drycleaning solvent. When

the coating is partially or totally lost, shredding will result, especially in loose

weaves of heavy yarns. These heavy yarns may appear rugged and sturdy. Olefin

is heat-sensitive and will shrink or pucker from the heat of the reclaimer, dryer or

finishing equipment. The wetcleaning process may be safer to the coating but can

result in shrinkage of the fabric. Manufacturers of furniture fabrics often disclaim

responsibility for problems if covers are removed for cleaning. Obtain a written

release before accepting coated pillow covers.