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Textiles: What is the best upholstery?

If you are new to the world of upholstery, choosing the right fabric may seem like an arduous process. With all the fabrics (not to mention the colors and designs) available, how do you choose the one which is right for you? Here is some information on various fabric to help you select the right fabric for your furniture.

You may hire a designer to make these choices for you based on your lifestyle, home traffic, and desired design inspirations – however, as they say – knowledge is power! Knowing a little more about the various fabric types and combinations thereof will truly help you in your decision making process.

Some things to consider before we jump in: How easy is it to maintain? Is it dry or wet clean only? How long will it last? These are just some baseline points to consider before re-upholstering every piece in your home! Some fabrics are gorgeous to look at and touch, however, they are notorious for being very difficult to clean and maintain. The more difficult to clean, the more expensive they are to maintain (think art silk, silk, viscose, velvet, and suede).

Let’s Jump in!

 

 

Durability – How do you use it?

If you are planning to upholster something that will experience everyday wear and tear, durability is important to consider. Upholstery fabric’s durability is determined by how it rates on the manufacturer-administered double rub test, which is a back and forth motion that mimics the wear and tear of someone sitting on an upholstered seat over time. The higher the number of double rubs, (for example 100,000 vs 10,000) the better the indicator of quality and durability. In addition to higher double rubs, look for upholstery fabrics treated for performance, like stain resistance, water repellant, or UV resistance.

For upholstery projects that will not be used every day, like decorative or heirloom pieces, performance characteristics might not be as important, which opens up a wider variety including silk, wool, linen, cotton duck, embellished fabrics and more!

 

 

 

Upholstery Care

Upholstery fabric is often not suitable for traditional washing or dry cleaning once applied to furniture; therefore, you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions and look for stain repellent fabrics for heavier-use pieces. Remember that over time protective finishes do wear down, so be sure to re-apply them during professional cleaning of your furniture.  Our recommendation for dry-cleaning is intended prior to upholstering if cleaning before use is desired. Once upholstered, use spot cleaners intended for upholstery fabric, or upholstery cleaning services. Using a fabric protectant application over your completed project is recommended for enhanced stain resistance. Be sure to hire a certified upholstery cleaning professional service.

 

 

 

 

Upholstery Types

These common, upholstery fabrics come in a variety of weights, colors, fibers, and treatments to ensure you get the fabric you need for your project.

  • Chenille – Excellent fabric choice for home usage, primarily heavier use pieces. Similar to velvet, it has a cut pile that aids in abrasion resistance and comfort.
  • Faux suede / Microfiber / Ultrasuede – Typically a polyester multi-weave fabric with a surface abrasion treatment giving it a fuzzy, suede pile to mimic suede, this fabric is an excellent choice for heavy-use family rooms and pets. It’s very strong, abrasion resistant and easy to clean.
  • Velvet – Velvet has a dense cut pile, making it luxuriously soft with a sheen. Velvet can stand up to heavy usage and is an attractive choice for most homes. Cleans best when spill or stain is tended to immediately. Please note, however, that velvet – like many finer fabrics – do have a tendency to have fiber distortion if rubbed too hard when wet or during stain removal.
  • Basketweave / Tweed – These textured woven fabrics hide stains and wear well, and can be used in any upholstery application depending on their double rub rating. Higher double rubs will reduce pilling and fabric pulls.
  • Faux Leather – Easy to clean and makes a great choice for children’s furniture and other high-usage pieces. Clean and condition appropriately to reduce the risk of cracking.
  • Marine Vinyl – Made to resist weather and harsh elements, marine vinyl is a leather-look vinyl that is extremely durable and easy to clean.
  • Jacquard – Typically a heavier fabric, it has yarn dyed fibers that create a pattern, giving the fabric texture and style. Good fabric choice for home usage, primarily moderate use and decorative pieces.
  • Duck/Canvas – A strong, plain weave fabric, ideal for printed designs. When made of cotton, this fabric shape can warp over time with heavy use, so it should be used on moderate-use furniture, decorative pieces or pillow accents.

 

 

 

Upholstery Fibers

These are common fibers used in upholstery fabrics. They can be 100% or blended with other fibers to join characteristics. These fibers can be made up into a variety of fabric types, which also have an effect on their performance:

  • Cotton– breathable, comfortable, and budget-friendly. Not fade resistant.
  • Linen– Very strong and breathable and classic. Less resistant to stains and fading, should not be used for heavy-use, but excellent for heirloom pieces.
  • Wool– Luxurious, great texture and feel, keeps its shape, less resistant to stains – look for stain resistance treatment or a blend.
  • Silk– Luxurious and strong, but should not be used for everyday. Due to weave type – it can snag very easily.
  • Rayon / Viscose– Adds softness when blended with other fibers, not durable.
  • Polyester– Durable, easy to clean, low – moderate abrasion resistance – it can pill if double rub rating isn’t high enough. CAN BE VERY FLAMMABLE!
  • Nylon– Durable, high abrasion resistance, easy to clean. CAN BE VERY FLAMMABLE!
  • Acrylic– Very durable, colorfast, easy to clean, great for heavy-use upholstery. CAN BE VERY FLAMMABLE!
  • Olefin– Very durable, colorfast, easy to clean, great for heavy-use upholstery. CAN BE VERY FLAMMABLE!

 

 

Upholstery Colors

Your color choice is also dependent upon the type of use your furniture will see. Natural beige color is a popular choice for hiding dirt as well as being a neutral that can go with many different décor styles.

Consider lighter solid colors to create an airy, inviting mood in a space. Darker colors or patterns are better for hiding dirt and wear. Or you can always select a bright color or a fun, bold pattern to make a statement in your space!

 

 

 

When considering a professional for your upholstery cleaning and protection – call Wiz Team, Inc. for your free in-home consultation and we can discuss the best methodological approach to handling your beautiful textiles and ensuring a long life for your upholstered home furnishings.

Spring is just around the corner!

 

Spring is the perfect time to clean house — both literally and figuratively.

The whole purpose of spring cleaning is to give your home a deep cleaning.

After the long, cold and messy months of winter, most homes are ready for a real thorough cleaning that couldn’t be done during the cold days of winter. This is what we as professional cleaners consider the top spring cleaning tips and tactics to get your house deep cleaned.

As we emerge from winter hibernation, we want to share them with you to help both your health and your home get ready for the warmer months as fast and efficiently as possible.

Here goes:

Start At the Front Door

One of the areas you would want to make sure gets a good cleaning is right where people enter the home.

Most folks have a door mat outside the door and right inside the house.

If your outside door mate is washable, take it to the utility sink and soak it in a solution of all purpose cleaner. Take a scrub brush to the mat too so you can really get it clean. You may need to soak it a few times before it’s thoroughly clean. You can also vacuum or swat it outside with a broom. If your outdoor mat is not washable, toss and replace with one that you can clean occasionally.

Next, give the mat inside your home a cleaning too. If your indoor mat is not machine washable, or it is an Oriental Rug, give us a call and we’ll schedule to pick it up and return it to its original beauty.

No matter what method you choose, remember your welcome mat is the first line of defense in keeping dirt out of the house.

Keep Supplies Right at Your Fingertips

When you have to tackle a big housekeeping job you want to make sure to have your cleaning supplies handy and nearby. The best way to accomplish this is to create a “cleaning bucket”.

My favorite storage container for cleaning supplies is a cleaning caddy. It is sturdy, won’t break, has built in handle and can easily store the five or more products most of us use to clean our homes. Plus it can hold all your cleaning tools too!

Just pick it up and bring it with you from room to room and have everything at your fingertips.

Use Products You Love and Do the Trick

I believe a plant-based cleaner works just as well as the chemical-filled ones. I prefer cleaning products that are easy on the environment and safe for my family and pets.

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day household products make caring for your home fresh, fun and fragrant. All of their products are made with plant-derived ingredients and essential oils, and are not tested on animals. Every of Mrs. Meyer’s household cleaning product I used is delightful and it is available in most all grocery stores.

Don’t Forget Upholstery and Carpets

Call Wiz Team, Inc. your Professional Cleaning & Restoration Specialists to do it for you. Fabrics that have absorbed a winter’s worth of dirt, body oil, and germs will need a deep cleaning to get them ready for another year of wear. We use professional equipment to speed the drying process, which otherwise can take a day or more. We will take care of all your Upholstery and Carpet Cleaning needs.

Give Your Floors the Attention They Deserve

For daily maintenance of your floor we recommend Bona Free & Simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner with Bona Hardwood Floor Spray Mop. The mop comes with washable microfiber pads.

Depending on the type of your floors you have it will depend on how you care for them. But you’ll want to give them a deep down thorough cleaning to remove all salt, sand or other particles that can cause continued and permanent damage.

If your floors have taken a beating this winter, you may need help from the experts in hardwood floor care to bring them back to their original glory. We use BONA Deep Cleaning System on all hardwood floors. This innovative deep cleaning system is the safest, quickest and easiest way to remove all the dirt, grime and build-up on your hardwood floors. It will help protect your investment, leaving you with beautiful hardwood floors that will last a lifetime. The fast, easy and effective way to spruce up your hardwood floors during your spring cleaning – call your experts in hardwood floor care!

Clean the Refrigerator Coils

Refrigerator’s condenser coil (usually found behind the toe grille) should be cleaned regularly. You can do this by using a long-handled bottle brush or dryer lint trap brush and a vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose to remove dust and pet hairs. Build-up can shut down the unit by causing it to overheat and cause you trouble.

To remove dust from coils that are attached to the hard-to-reach back side of the fridge, carefully pull the refrigerator out several feet and vacuum thoroughly. Vacuum and wash the floor and move the refrigerator back into place.

Put on the Gloves

Spring cleaning usually means a lot of work, so stock up on some rubber gloves. Rubber gloves help you move through your cleaning tasks without worrying about getting your hands dirty or ruining your manicure.

Clean At the Right Time of Day

Make sure you’re cleaning at the right time of day. Use your body’s natural rhythms to find the best time of day. For most people, best time of day to clean the house is starting around 11:00 AM and finishing by 4:00 PM. During this time of the day is when our hand-eye coordination is at its peak and mood levels are high.

If anyone in the house has allergies or asthma, avoid insomnia-hour and morning cleaning sprees (upper respiratory -allergy symptoms are most severe between 6 AM and noon, asthma attacks more likely between midnight and 6 AM), and finish well before that person walks in the door.

Whenever possible schedule your cleaning on a bright sunny days, you’re more likely to whistle while you clean (and not kick over the bucket).

Move Left to Right, Top to Bottom

You want to clean left to right (clockwise) and top to bottom. This way won’t be re-cleaning same areas and won’t miss anything, plus your floors would be the last. This way you’re tidying in a systematic way.

Turn it Up!

Have a little fun too! Nothing will make the time go faster than putting on your favorite tunes. It keeps you motivated and it won’t be boring.

Clean Your Air Duct System or Vents

It’s easy to forget – they’re out of sight out of the mind. Air Duct System cleaning in spring may not be the first thing on your mind, but it’s actually the best time of year to do so.

That dry dust that’s accumulated in your ducts all winter gets sticky and can even cause issues when it’s exposed to the spring and summer humidity.

When spring arrives, trees bud and flowers bloom, so there are a lot of pollens and allergens in the air. Your pet’s fur can also make its way into your ventilation system. And if someone in your home smokes, the chemicals from the cigarettes spread throughout the house through the vents, too.

Cleaning your Air Duct System in spring, before they become a problem, is wise, especially if anyone in your family has respiratory issues.

Cleaning your Air Duct System regularly (every 3 to 5 years), will help you save money in the long run because your system won’t have to work harder to heat or cool your home. Instead, it will work far more efficiently, resulting in a longer lifespan and can help relieve allergy and asthma symptoms this spring.

To avoid all the pollutants getting into your home and wreaking havoc on your family’s respiratory system, clean your air ducts – call your professional air duct system cleaning company.

FREE Printable Spring-Cleaning-List

If you would like to enter the new season with a Deep Cleaned Home, we’re here to help!

Give us a call so we can talk about your options.

Back to Basics: How to Keep Carpet Clean in Your Facility – Island Lake, Il

Keeping carpet clean is an easy way to add to the overall appearance of your facility’s interior and CRI is here with some tips to help you keep carpet fresh, clean and lasting, especially with Seal of Approval-certified products.

The following tips cover the different aspects of a maintenance program you will need to keep you carpet looking great all year.

1.      Vacuuming

Vacuuming is the simplest and easiest way to keep carpet clean and lasting. Regular vacuuming is imperative to the life and beauty of your carpet. For high traffic areas, you should vacuum daily. Be sure to use a Seal of Approval-certified vacuum.

2.      Interim Maintenance

Interim maintenance is a recently added aspect to the Seal of Approval program, but that does not minimize its importance. Interim maintenance is a scheduled frequency appearance cleaning for all traffic areas. Its purpose is to refresh carpet with a surface cleaning.

3.      Deep Cleaning

You may know deep cleaning by a number of different names (i.e. hot-water extraction, steam cleaning), but deep cleaning is vital to the life of carpet. An annual deep cleaning will remove the deepest, ground-in dirt residing in your facility’s carpet.

4.      Spot Removal

Spots and stains happen in almost any environment, but the most important thing you can do is treat the stain as soon as it happens. This will dramatically reduce the chance of the spot or stain resoiling. Wiz Team Solutions are tested and certified for their ability to effectively remove stains and minimize resoiling.

As mentioned earlier, following these tips will allow you to keep your carpet beautiful and lasting throughout the year.

The Wiz Team is a full service carpet cleaning and restoration service. We service Lake Forest, Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette Glenview, Northbrook, Deerfield, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Palantine, Lake Zurich, Barrington, Mundelein, and more. Contact us today for your cleaning and restoration needs.

DIY Carpet Cleaning vs. Professional Carpet Cleaning Services – Highland Park, IL

If you are like many American homeowners, you know that spring is coming up soon and it’s time to think about spring-cleaning. One of the key priorities in spring-cleaning should be your flooring.

Winter brings in slush, sleet and dirt; and most of it winds up beneath our feet. Are you wondering the best route to go when getting your carpets cleaned, whether it’s prudent to hire a professional or try to tackle this task on your own? Here are some pros and cons of both.

Doing it yourself

One of the conveniences of cleaning your own carpeting is being able to do it during your own time. You can decide when it’s best for you to clean your carpets and what rooms you want to clean and when. This gives you some flexibility so you don’t have to get the job done all at once. You may also be the type of person that feels better when they do the job themselves. If you are that type, you may want to consider cleaning your carpets on your own.

Hiring a Pro

One of the benefits of hiring a professional residential carpet cleaning company is that you will get – of course – professionals. You don’t have to worry about moving large pieces of furniture, spending hours on a stubborn stain or questioning whether you are using the right products for your carpeting. It also frees up time for you to do other things around the house by having the pros come in and clean your carpet.

Before you consider hiring any professional carpet cleaning company, be sure they have the experience to get the job done. The Wiz Team has been serving the Highland Park area for more than 18 years.

 

The Wiz Team is a full service carpet cleaning and restoration service. We service Lake Forest, Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette Glenview, Northbrook, Deerfield, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Palantine, Lake Zurich, Barrington, Mundelein, and more. Contact us today for your cleaning and restoration needs.

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