Host ARIDEX, Manual, Page: 12 / 48

Tips for Professional Cleaners
Cleaning Tips
You can use a portable blow-type hair dryer
* Where is the piece kept and what are
to speed drying time. Such a hair dryer will the soiling conditions there? (Soiling
prove especially useful on velvet materials. conditions in a cafeteria or office location
will be different than those in most living
Be sure to point out worn spots or faded rooms, for example.)
colors to your customer before beginning
cleaning. Such spots will be more noticeable
* Is the furniture subject to heavy smoke,
after cleaning is complete. grease, or sunlight?
When cleaning fabrics with heavy soiling in * Is the piece located near a radiator or
localized areas, clean the dirtiest areas first, heat vent?
then start over and clean the entire piece.
This results in the soiled areas being cleaned
Check the pieces to be cleaned for
twice with a short drying time in between unreported problems. Record all rips, tears,
always prespray first with “Prelim”.
snags, missing buttons, or warn areas.
Record all existing damage and discuss your
Special Considerations findings with your customer.
Synthetics of all kinds or blends of different Vacuum the upholstery against the lay of the
fibers can present special challenges. It is nap. Use a crevice tool if needed. Be careful
therefore difficult to promise that you will be not to loosen buttons.
able to remove every spot on a piece of
upholstery. Additional pre-spotting treatment
Test for color fastness and shrinkage.
may be necessary in some cases.
If the fabric fails the color fastness test, notify
Carefully inspect and test all upholstery the customer that the piece cannot be
before cleaning. cleaned without the risk of damage. If the
customer wishes to have you clean the
Ask the following important questions piece despite the risk of damage, obtain
before starting: approval in writing before starting work.
* How old is the furniture? Never give an estimate over the phone.
* Has it ever been cleaned, either
Don’t forget about other services you can
professionally or by a home method? offer, such as mattress cleaning, R.Vs, boats,
trailers and other unique cleaning
* In what type of fabric is it covered? opportunities.
9