How Much Does Fabric Protection Cost?
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What do a cup of coffee, a glass of red wine and a pet's muddy paws have in common? All have the potential to stain your furniture. In the past, people relied on clear plastic covers, but these were unattractive, noisy and uncomfortable. These days, fabric protection comes in the form of a fluorocarbon spray that, when dried, is virtually undetectable. If you're thinking about investing in your furniture, then you should know the costs of DIY and professional fabric protection.
Table of Contents
- Fabric Protection Cost
- Advantages Of Fabric Protection
- Disadvantages Of Fabric Protection
- Do You Need Fabric Protection?
- Professional Fabric Protection Services
- Fabric Protection Products
- Fabric Protection Maintenance
- Find A Pro
Fabric Protection Cost
Although some furniture owners prefer hiring a professional for fabric protection, others opt for a do-it-yourself job. Brand new furniture is treated at the store for roughly $50 to $100 per piece before it is even removed from the showroom, and prices are similar for protecting used furniture. Companies that come to your home may charge more. A number of DIY fabric protection products come in handy spray bottles that run from roughly $10 to $30 for a 16 oz. bottle. Typically, one bottle is enough to treat one large sofa or six to eight upholstered dining chairs.
Advantages Of Fabric Protection
Furniture is expensive, and protecting it ensures long-lasting beauty and enjoyment. In addition to preventing stains, fabric protection helps guard against damage from sunlight and UV rays, prevents the development of mold or mildew and provides easier cleanup of dirt. In addition to sofas and chairs, furniture protection products can help safeguard a wide range of other home furnishings including:
- Areas rugs
- Carpet
- Draperies
- Fabric or leather headboards
- Mattresses
- Outdoor furniture
- Throw pillows
- Fabric wall hangings
Disadvantages Of Fabric Protection
Although fabric protection treatments don't change the color of a fabric, they can produce a shiny appearance on certain fabrics, such as smooth cottons. In addition, cleaning can lower the effectiveness of fabric protection treatments. For instance, after just three cleanings by hot-water extraction, fabric protection is often rendered completely ineffective and reapplication is needed. Fabrics like cotton, cotton blends and rayon are more susceptible to this problem than fabrics like polyester. Many furniture experts recommend that fabric protection treatment be reapplied immediately after cleaning furniture to prevent a buildup of dirt and grime.
Do You Need Fabric Protection?
Everyone wants a sparkling clean home, and clean furniture plays a big part. Coffee or wine drinkers or people with pets or children may want to consider fabric protection to keep furniture looking its best. In addition, showy fabrics like leather, brocades and silk are especially costly, and ugly stains lower their value. Fabric treatment helps protect expensive pieces in all situations.
If you’re still not sure your fabric is protected, watch the video below:
Professional Fabric Protection Services
Professional protection differs from the finishes obtained through DIY products. DIY finishes sit on top of fabric, but professional finishes penetrate fabric. By adhering to individual fibers, professional finishes often last for years. In fact, a commercially applied finish typically comes with a warranty of one to seven years that covers most types of stains. The table below indicates types of stains covered under common commercial fabric protection warranties.
|
Type of Stain |
Warranty Coverage |
|
Food |
Covered |
|
Beverage |
Covered |
|
Blood |
Covered |
|
Lipstick, eye makeup or blush |
Covered |
|
Nail polish |
Depends on the company |
|
Pet or human vomit |
Covered |
|
Human urine |
Covered |
|
Pet urine |
Depends on the company |
Fabric Protection Products
Use caution if you opt for providing your own fabric protection. Become familiar with the type of furniture fabric and the kinds of chemicals that can harm it. Furniture should be as clean as possible before treatment, as dirt and grim can become trapped underneath the protectant. If cleaning before treatment, make sure that furniture is dry before applying. Wood and other non-fabric materials should be removed or covered before treatment.
There are many fabric and upholstery protectants on the market. Popular brand names include Scotchgard, Guardsman, Bayes, Force Field and Vectra. Take the following steps when completing DIY furniture protection:
- Choose a protectant recommended for your specific fabric.
- Move furniture outdoors or to a well-ventilated garage if possible. If not, place a painter's cloth or garbage bags underneath the furniture so the floor underneath and the perimeter around the furniture is covered. Open windows for good ventilation.
- Remove cushions to clean separately and dry them on mats, cardboard or painter's cloth.
- Use a face mask and rubber gloves to protect the lungs and skin from fluorocarbons. Shake the can for thirty seconds, and keeping a distance of about 6 inches, spray furniture and both sides of cushions.
- Cover all fabric surfaces completely with spray and allow furniture to dry as per the product's suggestions.
- Apply a second coat and dry for eight to 12 hours before use.
Fabric Protection Maintenance
Fabric treatments help to keep furniture looking clean, but owners provide even more protection with regular maintenance. To ensure clean and beautiful furniture, use a lint roller to remove pet hair. Remove crumbs quickly with a portable vacuum, and vacuum furniture thoroughly with upholstery attachments at least once a month. Instead of scrubbing, blot beverage spills with a cloth and a little club soda.
Find A Pro
Use our free lead generator to connect with a local furniture protection professional who can protect your furniture from unwanted stains. For the ultimate safeguard, some professional furniture repair businesses offer furniture protection plans. Depending on the type of plan purchased, a furniture protection plan may provide:
- Stain removal services
- Repair of punctures, rips, tears or burns in fabric or leather
- Repair of gouges or scratches in wood
- Replacement of springs or frames damaged accidentally
- Replacement of entire piece if irreparable
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Last updated on Feb 16, 2017
