Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500278
06/24/03
Upholstery--Soil-Resistant Finishes
Anti-soil and anti-stain finishes are available for
upholstery fabrics. The best results are obtained when
these finishes are applied at the factory. They are not
permanent and will be removed by several cleanings.
These finishes do not take the place of routine care.
The following are the most common anti-stain and anti-
soil finishes used on fabrics.
Zepel is a fluorochemical finish that is applied at
the mill, when the fabric is processed, to prevent
soiling and staining. Therefore, the finish is only
applied to the upholstery before the sale.
Scotchgard is another fluorochemical finish applied
to fabric to prevent staining and soiling. If an
upholstery fabric does not already have this finish on
the fabric, then Scotchgard can either be purchased in
hardware stores or be applied by professional upholstery
cleaners. Scotchgard can be applied to new, unsoiled
upholstery with no problems. However, for older
upholstery, the fabric should be thoroughly cleaned and
all the residue from the cleaner removed from the
upholstery before the Scotchgard is applied. Otherwise,
the Scotchgard will bond the residue in the upholstery
fabric.
Teflon is the newest fluorochemical finish for
upholstery, either put on the fabric, or applied to the
furniture by professional upholstery cleaners.
A fabric spray treatment to prevent soiling and staining
should be reapplied after each cleaning due to the
cleaning agent breaking down the stain resistant
chemical. Water will not dissolve the stain resistant
chemical but upholstery cleaning agents will.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus with references from Recipe for
Furniture Care, National Assoc of Furniture Manufacturers.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .