Here are some helpful hints that may solve some of your furniture problems. Always follow the recommendations by the manufacturer, if there are none, this may prove useful. If you have a question, send it to Freman.Smith@verizon.net.

Someone accidentally spills soda on your sofa, what to do?

Get clean sheets of paper towels and place the edge to the spill and allow the towel to absorb it. Keep rotating the sheet and discard once a majority of the spill is absorbed. Continue the process with another clean sheet until the entire spill is absorbed. Than using a clean towel gently pat the slight remnants.

What upholstery cleaner should be used for small stains?

Here are the basic recommendations by upholstery fabric manufacturers:

(S) Clean the fabric with "pure solvents"

(petroleum distallate based products, e.g. Energine, Renuzit, Carbona.

(W) Clean the fabric with a "water-based" cleaning agent only e.g., Woolite

(WS) Clean the fabric with either water-based or pure solvent cleaning product.

Where can you get the code (S, W, WS) for your upholstered fabric?

The store you purchased the fabric, the furniture store or the upholsterer that reupholstered your furniture.

What is a "hard edge" piece of furniture?

The sitting edge of a chair or couch is either a hard edge or soft edge. A hard edge means that the front end (edge) of the furniture is solid wood. It has no give to the seat cushion. A "soft edge" means that springs are above the solid wood frame and thereby provides flexing for the seat cushion.

Is there any benefit from rotating seat cushions on a sofa?

Regularly rotating seat cushions from left to right and top to bottom will help maintain pleasing appearance (the fabric won't shift around). In addition, the cushion foam and padding will provide more comfort and support.

How should Scotch Gard be applied to my furniture?

Do not use Scotch Guard during the winter months. You should always have the windows open (ventalation) in the room for of the furniture being protected. Use on fabrics with code W or WS. Do not use on fabrics with code S only. Test an area of the furniture to assure no adverse reaction to the use of the product. Hold the container 6 inches from the fabric and spray while you overlap the spray going across the furniture. The inside back, inside arms and seat cushions should be protected. Do not sit on the furniture until the next day, allow the scotch guard to dry into the fabric over night. The day after the inital spray is applied turn the seat cushions over and spray that side. Always read the directions on the Scotch Gard container before using the product.