Why Different Fabric Pre-sprays are Essential for Effective Cleaning Results
Choosing the appropriate fabric prespray is more about the type of fabric than the type of soil, as upholstery typically collects particulate soil and body oils over time.
Fabrics can be natural, synthetic, or blended, with cotton being the primary natural fiber and polyester the leading synthetic one.
Fabric pre-sprays are generally composed of surfactants, solvents, and other components that affect the formula's pH level.
Cotton should be cleaned with a neutral pH of 6 to 8, while synthetic fabrics are usually cleaned with a mildly alkaline pH of 9 to 10. This necessitates having pre-sprays that cover both pH ranges.
Using pH to Choose Fabric Pre-spray
The pH level of your pre-spray is crucial for cleaning cotton fabrics. Cotton can turn yellow when exposed to moderate to high alkalinity, and excessive alkalinity can cause dye bleeding. Cotton and polyester blends may also suffer damage from high alkaline treatments, making neutral pre-sprays the safest choice for these fabrics.
Synthetic fibers, such as polyester, handle alkalinity better. Alkaline pre-sprays can effectively break down body oils that bond with polyester. While some carpet pre-sprays can replace fabric-specific alkaline pre-sprays, using them with a portable sprayer can help manage overspray. Fabric-specific alkaline pre-sprays often contain foam for agitation, but foam is undesirable for carpets as it may require defoamers.
When Unsure, Treat as a Natural Fiber
A common issue in fabric cleaning is identifying the fiber type. When uncertain, treat all fabrics as natural fibers. Adding citrus boosters to neutral pre-sprays can help emulsify oils similarly to alkaline ingredients without altering the pH. Over-wetting is problematic for all fabrics, especially natural ones, so use upholstery tools that distribute rinse water evenly rather than spraying directly.
Using a single rinse solution for extraction is becoming common, and it can be neutral or acidic. For cleaning various wool carpets, wool area rugs, and natural fabrics, an acidic rinse might be suitable for all fabric types, including synthetics. Some cleaners prefer rinses with minimal or no surfactant.
Final Thoughts
High-end fabrics often come with manufacturer warnings against water cleaning. Cleaning these fabrics requires specialized training and experience. In some cases, opting not to clean certain fabrics might be the best approach. Once you gain confidence with standard fabrics, you'll be better prepared to handle high-end materials.