Cleaning Codes

Cleaning codes apply to wallcovering, panel or wall upholstery fabric only. It is most important that the fabric not be over wet to avoid contact with the infill materials or adhesives.

W — Clean only with water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. Do not    over wet. Do not use solvent to spot clean.

S — Clean only with dry cleaning solvent. Do not saturate. Do not use water.

WS — Clean with shampoo, foam or dry cleaning solvents as desired. Do not saturate with liquid.

X Do not clean with either water or solvent based cleaner. Use vacuuming or light brushing only.

Water based cleaning agents are often classified as upholstery cleaners or upholstery shampoo. These products* are usually available commercially as foams, concentrated liquids and dry compounds.

Cleaning can be either wet or dry, though some suggest a third category, damp.

Wet cleaning equipment using water is classified into two broad types:
     Rotary shampoo
     Water extraction (sometimes inaccurately referred to as a steam cleaning)

Two of the damp processes with water are:
     Dry foam
     Rotary mop (bonnet)

Dry systems use a granule or powder that incorporates a cleaning solvent which allows soil to be removed by subsequent vacuuming, or non-water chemical solvent for fabrics which cannot be cleaned with water-based systems.

PRE-TEST YOUR CLEANING METHOD ON AN INCONSPICUOUS AREA OF THE FABRIC TO DETERMINE IF COLOR BLEEDS, IF THE FABRIC SHRINKS OR SEPARATES FROM THE WALL.  IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT, SEEK THE ASSISTANCE OF A PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICE.

* Examples I include Glamorene Glory Blue Lustre and Woolite.

SPOTS AND STAINS

If a spot, spill or deposition of foreign matter occurs, prompt action must be taken because it may be difficult or, in some cases, impossible to remove if allowed to set. Fluids must be immediately absorbed from the surface. The area of spillage must he confined to prevent penetration into the fibers, infill materials or adhesives. Solid or semi-solid substances should be broken up with a knife-like object, scraping carefully, and then vacuumed to remove as much of the foreign material as possible before stain removal agents are used.

Stain removal agents, when required, should be pre-tested in an inconspicuous area of the wallcovering or panel. After the agent has been removed and the fabric has dried, the area should be examined for evidence of color change. To test for shrinkage, allow the fabric to set from one to two hours after it has been wet. It may be necessary to try different agents until one results in no change or shrinkage. If a fabric bleeds or shrinks, seek a professional cleaning service. To avoid spreading of the stain and over wetting the fabric, only a small amount of stain removal compound should be applied, preferably by a dampened towel. Work in from the outside edge toward the center of the stain. The agent should be blotted on, not rubbed into the foreign matter and fabric, to avoid damage to the fabric surface. Once the stain has been totally removed, the residue of the cleaning agent must be removed by rinsing the fabric and blotting dry with an absorbent cloth, a paper towel or a sponge.

Water-based stains can be removed from most wallcovering, panel and wall upholstery fabrics using a mild detergent diluted with warm water, using one teaspoon of detergent per cup of water. Oil-based stains can be removed with a solvent-type dry cleaning fluid, such as K2r or Carbona. Fast drying, using a fan or hair dryer set at cool, will hasten drying and help prevent rings.

For specific stain removal agents and procedures for common soils and stains, see Table I. Stain removal procedures will also remove accumulated soil. This may result in the cleaned area that is readily distinguished from adjacent soiled areas, which may then require cleaning of the entire surface. Large and unusual stains should be treated only by a reputable professional cleaning service.

An International Fabricare Institute study on aging of stains confirmed the detrimental effect of aging, affecting the ease with which stains can be removed. After one week of aging, 20% of the stains could not be satisfactorily removed. This figure rose to 46% after three weeks of aging. If a stain has oxidized, an insoluble product is formed which cannot be removed.

TABLE I — SPOT CLEANING

CLEANING AGENT CODE:

     1. Water
     2. Detergent solution
     3. Detergent/ammonia (3-6%) solution
     4. Volatile-type solvent
     5. Paint, oil or grease remover
     6. Undiluted white vinegar
     7. Oxalic or citric acids
     8. Alcohol
 

WALLCOVERING STAIN AND CLEANING STUDY

This wallcovering stain and cleaning study was undertaken by the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration (ASCR). Two different, but popular acrylic backed olefin wallcovering constructions and a popular 100% cotton paperbacked wallcovering representative of the cellulose fiber type wallcovering (cotton, linen, rayon, acetate, etc.) were studied. Twenty-five difficult healthcare and hospitality stains were evaluated. Stains were left to set for 7 days and then 5 different cleaning methods were attempted, based on specific recommendations by ASCR professional cleaning specialist members who are involved in cleaning wallcoverings.

The results on these wallcoverings are considered to be representative of these wallcovering fabric types as supplied by Design Tex Fabrics.*
Five methods were evaluated:
  •A simple in-house staff wet (water-based) cleaning method;
  •A more rigorous professional cleaning service wet (water-based) cleaning method;
  •A simple in-house staff dry (solvent-based) cleaning method;
  •A more rigorous professional cleaning service dry (solvent-based) cleaning method;
  •An effective spotting treatment and specialty spot removal techniques.

PRE-TEST ANY CLEANING METHOD RECOMMENDED IN THIS MANUAL ON AN INCONSPICUOUS AREA OF THE FABRIC FIRST TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS ANY DETRIMENTAL AFFECT ON THE FABRIC OR THE ADHESIVE BOND TO THE WALL.

The methods are described as follows:

METHOD A—Wet Method (in-house)

This method involves pre-spray, foam and hand sponge. A soil lifter (e.g. Chemspec Heavy Duty Soil Lifter mixed at a 5:1 dilution) should be lightly sprayed on to the wallcovering. Allow to dwell for several minutes. Clean with foam only, from shampoo (e.g. Chemspec Carpet and Upholstery Shampoo at an 8:1 dilution) mixed with warm water and whipped into a foam. Apply foam with a natural sponge. Rub stains gently with the sponge to remove the staining material. Use a metal spatula to scrape off the excess staining material from the surface, once the stain is wetted out.

* CAUTION: Use adequate or forced ventilation, hand and eye protection and organic vapor respirators, if necessary, for overall cleaning or for spot treating larger areas.

METHOD B—Wet Method (professional)

This method involves pre-spray and professional foam extraction equipment or foam cleaning followed by extraction. A detergent pre-spray application (e.g. Von Schrader Before Traffic Lane Cleaner mixed to a 4:1 dilution) should be sprayed lightly on the stains. Allow to dwell for several minutes. An extraction machine (e.g. A Von Schrader VS2 Upholstery Extraction machine) with an appropriate upholstery detergent (e.g. A Von Schrader Anti-Resoil, Carpet and Upholstery detergent mixed to a 8:1 dilution) should be used. Sticky stains should be scraped off with a metal spatula to remove excess staining material. Foam should be applied to the wallcovering and scrubbed with a brush head. The foam should be extracted with the attached vacuum line. Hot water extraction is clearly not recommended as this aqueous method may result in adhesive separation of the wallcovering from the wall.

METHOD C—Dry Method (in-house)

This method involves treating and blotting dry with a volatile solvent. An appropriate solvent (e.g. X-Spect, Deep Clean DC-500 which is mostly odorless mineral spirits, 0. M. S.) should be applied with a sponge and paper towels. Rub the stains gently with a dampened towel.

CAUTION - 0. M. S. IS FLAMMABLE, USE PROPER CARE.

METHOD D—Dry Method (professional)

This method involves chlorinated or mixed dry volatile solvent pre-spray, with professional dry solvent extraction cleaning equipment. Pre-spray stains with a chlorinated solvent. Extract stains (e.g. Kleenite Extractor) with proper equipment, using an appropriate dry cleaning solution (e.g. Kleenite Upholstery Dry Cleaning Solution) and using an appropriate specialty or drapery tool (not a slotted tool that would pull the wallcovering).*

SPOTTING TECHNIQUE

This method involves use of pre-spray, foam and extraction combined with proper spot removal techniques. Prespray stains (with detergent pre-spray) and then clean with foam extraction equipment (e.g. Von Schrader foam extraction equipment and Von Schrader Anti-Resoil Upholstery Shampoo). Bleach, if used, should be a chlorine type (5.25% hypochlorite bleach).**

* CAUTION: Use adequate or forced ventilation, hand and eye protection, and organic vapor respirators, if necessary, for overall cleaning or for spot treating larger areas.

* * Bleach can only be used with solution dyed fibers, in recommended dilution as directed. Bleach can severely affect color of other fabric types.

TABLE II — OLEFIN WALLCOVERINGS
*
EFFECTIVE CLEANING METHODS/SPOTTING TREATMENTS*:

 

*Order of recommendations - left to right with spotting treatment as most effective stain reducer.

**Special cleaning procedure developed for coffee/cream or coffee/cream/sugar stains on Olefin Wallcoverings:

Clean with a foam extraction system and spot treat with tannin remover and an oil break to aid in removing the cream residue. Finally touch up spotting should be done with bleach. It is good practice to follow up spotting with a clear water rinse. Black coffee is removed largely with foam extraction, however a tannin remover improves the appearance of the stain.

***Stains that were found to be extremely difficult to remove should be attempted preferably by a professional cleaning services. These include:

     • Phenol type germicides
     • Latex paint
     • Shoe polish
     • Charcoal Actidose (used in drug overdose cases)
 

TABLE III — CELLULOSIC* WALLCOVERINGS

EFFECTIVE CLEANING METHODS/SPOTTING TREATMENTS
 

*Cotton, Linen, Rayon, etc.

** Order of recommendations - left to right, with spotting as most effective stain reducer.

***Stains that were found to be extremely difficult to remove should be attempted with professional cleaning services and these include:

     • Phenol type germicides
     • Latex paint
     • Shoe polish
     • Charcoal Actidose (used in drug overdose cases)
 

IMPORTANT FABRIC AND FINISH INFORMATION

TOPICAL FR TREATMENT
If a fabric has been topically flame retardant treated, it should be solvent cleaned (“5” cleaning code) only. The flame retardant processing involves, in most cases, water-based flame retardants and, therefore, water-based cleaning systems will dissolve or diminish flame retardance.

Panel & Wall Upholstery Fabric Types

100% POLYESTER AND POLYESTER BLENDS
(e.g. 78% POLYESTER/19% SILK/3% FLAX):
These panel fabrics can all be cleaned as “WS” with both water-based and solvent-based cleaning systems.

COTTON AND RAYON
100% cotton and high content (50% +) cotton or rayon fabrics should be “5” cleaned with solvent systems only because of potential shrinkage as well as dye bleeding concerns.

FR TREVIRA POLYESTER AND SEF FR MODACRYLIC
100% FR Trevira (polyester) and fabrics with 70% + SEE FR modacrylic are flame retardant, as a result of inherently flame retardant fibers. DesignTex fabrics with these compositions can be cleaned as "WS" with both water-based and solvent based cleaning systems.

WOOL
Wool fabrics, which have been Zirpro FR finished, have a “permanent” flame retardant capability which is “WS" compatible with both water-based and solvent-based cleaning system. Untreated wool fabrics and high content wool fabrics (60% +) are also compatible with 1)0th (“WS”) water-based and solvent-based cleaning systems, unless otherwise noted.

Note: Typical problem stains on FR Trevira polyester fabrics that have been found by our studies to be difficult to totally remove by conventional methods include bleach, mayonnaise, latex paint, suntan lotion, catsup, methylene blue, Pepto Bismol, germicide (phenol), motor oil, petroleum jelly, ballpoint ink, mud and shoe polish. These probably require spot removal procedures by a professional cleaning service.
 

WALLCOVERING TYPES

OLEFINS
Wallcoverings containing 100% solution dyed fibers (e.g. Route 1) are very colorfast, as pigments were part of the polymer during synthetic fiber extrusion. These wallcoverings can be cleaned as “WS” with both water-based and solvent-based cleaning systems, including such strong cleaning agents as diluted bleach for stain removal. Diluted bleach solution* (1 part household bleach, 4 parts water) should be blotted onto the stain and allowed to react with the stain for up to 60 minutes. After 60 minutes, the bleach solution should be removed by hot water extraction.** See DesignTex Wallcovering Stain and Cleaning Study, Table II.

100% COTTON, COTTON BLENDS, 100% RAYON, RAYON BLENDS, 100% LINEN, LINEN BLENDS
These should be cleaned as “5” with solvent based cleaning systems only. A general effective spot cleaner (e.g. K2r or Carbona) can be used, but manufacturer’s recommendations should be carefully followed to avoid rings. See DesignTex Wallcovering Stain and Cleaning Study, Table III.

100% RAYON SUEDE (FEDORA)
These unique wallcoverings have a novelty suede finish and pattern. The wallcovering has a “5” - modified cleaning code, using the volatile dry solvent Carbona only. Let dry and brush nap with soft brush or self material. Some stains can be brushed off with a soft brush.

Note: Chlorinated solvents (e.g. Picrin) should be used sparingly as over saturation may cause fabric shrinkage. A general effective spot cleaner (e.g. K2r) can be used, but manufacturer’s recommendations should be carefully followed to avoid rings.

*e.g. Chiorox

**Be careful to use procedures that avoid solution contact with skin and non-fabric parts of wall assembly, wit/i the panel or adhesive wall system.