FABRIC SOFA CARE

At STOCKROOM FURNITURE, we want to ensure that your fabric sofa lasts for years to come. Therefore, we highly recommend incorporating a simple vacuuming routine on a weekly basis. Additionally, we advise rotating and plumping loose seat and back cushions frequently to prolong the life of both the fabric and foam.

It is important to handle your sofa with care when moving it. Always lift it rather than dragging it, as dragging may cause scratches or break the legs. If there are plastic corner protectors, they can be removed with caution using pliers to remove any staples.

We urge you to avoid sitting on the arms or back of your sofa, as this can cause damage over time. To maintain the quality and cleanliness of your sofa, we recommend having it professionally cleaned by an upholstery cleaning company once a year.

It is natural for seat foams to soften over time due to regular use. However, taking these precautionary measures can help extend the life of your sofa and maintain its appearance for many years to come.

We would like to provide you with some important care instructions for your sofa to ensure its longevity and to keep it looking as beautiful as the day you purchased it.

Firstly, we advise you to avoid exposing your sofa to direct heat such as sunlight, fires, or air-conditioners, as this may cause fading, moisture build-up, or scorching of the fabric. Additionally, please be cautious of sharp objects that may snag, tear, or pull the fabric. If you notice any loose threads, we kindly ask that you cut them off rather than pulling them.

In the event of any minor spills, we recommend quickly blotting them with an absorbent paper towel or clean cloth to prevent staining. It is important to avoid using aggressive household cleaners as they may damage the fabric. For any tough stains, we suggest seeking the services of a professional cleaning company as recommended by our fabric protection specialists.

Lastly, we would like to advise that dye transfer between products or materials may occur and should be cleaned immediately with the recommended cleaning product. A kindly reminder, all our Fabric sofa is dry clean only otherwise the fabric may got pilling easily

There are three main occurrences that cause the pilling:

1. Transfer pills – fibres from your clothing can transfer onto your sofa which then twists together causing the pilling. This is usually identified when the pills are a different colour to your fabric. 

2. Loose fibre pills – On the surface when people/pets use the sofa they are subject to friction, rubbing up against the fabric causes loose fibers to twist together into small balls or your laundry machine also causes friction. These pills will be the same colour as the sofa fabric. Pilling is completely normal and will go away once the excess loose fibers are gone. It doesn’t affect the durability or functionality of the fabric. Plus, it’s easily removable with a pill shaver. After de-pilled, there is still a chance that loose fibres will continue to make their way to the surface of the fabric but overtime this will be less and less until it stops happening completely. 

3. Dust fibre pilling – overtime dust will settle onto the sofa and will get trapped in the fibres of the fabric. This is why all sofas need to be vacuumed regularly with a soft-bristled brush as part of general maintenance. In the same fashion as the loose fibres, through abrasion, the fibres that are attached to the fabric will twist around the dust causing pill balls to form on the surface. We have found that customers who have hard-surfaced floors for example timber, concrete, or tiles will have an increased chance of dust fibre pilling. This is due to the fact that when the dust settles on a carpeted floor the dust gets trapped in the carpet by the carpet fibres until it is vacuumed. Dust that falls onto a hard surface will be constantly thrown up into the air every time someone opens a door or walks past it or there is a breeze etc. as the particles aren’t trapped by anything. This dust then gets spread across the room and falls onto the sofa then gets trapped in the sofa fabric fibres. The best way to identify dust fibre pilling is to mop the floor with a microfiber mop and then de-pill the sofa and then compare the dust on the mop to the pills in the machine.

In all cases, the pilling can be easily removed by a handheld de-pilling machine and the frequency will lessen over time as the amount of loose fibres diminishes. Pilling is not a sign of poor fabric and it doesn’t affect the durability of the fabric.

Vacuum

Vacuum your upholstered furniture weekly for general cleaning and to remove surface soil. This also prevents dirt from becoming embedded into the fibers.

You can also use a brush to gently whisk the dirt away. Make sure to always use a soft-bristled brush so that you don't snag the fabric.

Spot Clean Vacuum

While regular care does a lot for the maintenance of your upholstered furniture, accidents will happen. Blot any spills immediately with a clean folded towel: never rub, but blot gently. Sometimes this is enough to get rid of the stain completely, especially if the fabric has been pre-treated with a fabric protector.

Always test in an inconspicuous area before you use any product for spot cleaning, and check the manufacturer's instructions to see if you need a water-based or solvent-based cleaner. It is best to use a mild cleaning product. Apply with a soft brush in a circular motion to work into the fibers, then vacuum when dry.

Avoid Sunlight and Pollutants
Too much sun can damage your upholstery fabric, causing it to fade and even fray. Try to position it so that it doesn’t sit in the sun for extended periods. This is especially true for silks or other delicate fabrics.

Airborne pollutants such as fumes from cooking or smoke can also harm your fabric. It isn’t always easy to avoid that from happening, however, proper ventilation can help. It can also help with odor control, as upholstered furniture can easily absorb odors.

Call a Professional

It is best to have a professional clean your upholstered furniture every couple of years or so. Experts recommend having this done regularly and not waiting for it to get visibly dirty. The dirtier a sofa or chair becomes, the harder it is to restore to its original glory.

Care instructions for sofabeds Before attempting to open your sofa bed for the first time, ensure the straps holding the mechanisms in place are undone and removed. Do not move the sofa with the bed open as this will cause damage to the sofa's legs and can pull the mechanism out of alignment. Do not close the bed with any sheets, blankets, pillows or other bed linen inside. When the bed is open the mechanism is not designed for the sofa to be a seat. Excessive weight forward of the front bar may result in damage to the mechanism. Always follow the instructions carefully when opening and closing the bed.