Host ARIDEX User Manual

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Table of Contents

Safety Instructions 1

Grounding Instructions

2

Introduction

3

System Overview

4

Set Up / Cleaning Procedures

5
Brushes
Prep & Setup
Cleaning the Fabric
Tips For Professional Cleaners 9
Fabrics 10
Spot & Stain Removal 13
Accessories & Supplies 14
Maintenance Procedures 15
Troubleshooting 19
Parts Lists 20
Wiring Diagrams 41

9/26/2017 U2215

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THIS APPLIANCE

WHEN USING AN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE, BASIC PRECAUTIONS SHOULD ALWAYS BE FOLLOWED, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:

WARNING — TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY:

1 Do not leave appliance when plugged in. Unplug from outlet when not in use and before servicing.
2 Use indoors only.
3 Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when used by or near children.
4 Use only as described in this manual. Use only manufacturer’s recommended attachments.
5 Inspect cord for damage before each use. Do not use with damaged cord or plug. If appliance is

not working as it should, has been dropped, damaged, left outdoors, or dropped into water,
return it to a service center.

6 Do not pull or carry by cord, use cord as a handle, close a door on cord, or pull cord around sharp

edges or corners. Do not run appliance over cord. Keep cord away from heated surfaces.
7 Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cord.
8 Do not handle plug or appliance with wet hands.
9 Do not put any object into openings. Do not use with any opening blocked; keep free of dust, lint,

hair, and anything that may reduce air flow.
10 Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers, and all parts of body away from openings and moving parts.
11 Turn off all controls before unplugging.
12 Use extra care when cleaning on stairs.
13 Do not use to pick up flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline or use in areas where

they may be present.
14 Do not pick up anything that is burning or smoking, such as cigarettes, matches, or hot ashes.
15 Do not use without filter bag in place.
16 Connect to a properly grounded outlet only. See grounding instructions.
17 Always turn off this appliance before connecting or disconnecting the upholstery cleaning head.
18 Do not immerse. Use only on carpet/upholstery moistened by cleaning process.
19 Upholstery cleaning head hose contains electrical wires. Do not use if damaged, cut, or punctured.
20 Have repairs made only by a qualified Aridex service center.
21 This unit is to be used only with Aridex cleaning products.
22 If foam or liquid discharges from the appliance during use, switch machine off immediately.
23 Do not use for picking up health endangering dust such as asbestos.

1

Grounding Instructions

IMPORTANT!

WARNING! Be sure the unit is properly grounded.

This appliance must be grounded. If it should malfunction or breakdown, grounding provides a path of

least resistance for electric current to reduce the risk of electric shock. This appliance is equipped with

a cord having an equipment-grounding conductor and grounding plug. The plug must be inserted into

an appropriate outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and

ordinances.

WARNING! Improper connection of the equipment-grounding conductor can result in a risk of electric

shock. Check with a qualified electrician or service person if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is

properly grounded. Do not modify the plug provided with the appliance. If it will not fit the outlet, have a

proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician.

This appliance is for use on a nominal 120/230v circuit that has a grounding attachment plug that looks like

the plug illustrated in Figure A. Make sure that the appliance is connected to an outlet having the same

configuration as the plug. No adaptor should be used with this appliance.

Grounding the Aridex Machine.

2

Introduction

IMPORTANT!

This is a commercial appliance, not intended for household use.
Your Aridex Upholstery Extraction Cleaning System furniture and carpet. It uses standard electrical

is a precision piece of equipment. However, it will do current, so all you have to do is plug the power cord
the best job for you only if you understand it. into a properly grounded wall outlet.
Please read this book all the way through before
you try to use your new system. Read it again, and The Aridex Upholstery Extraction Cleaning
work through each step to make sure you understand System is a high quality tool that meets professional
it. Keep this book in a safe place for future reference. upholstery cleaning standards. It will give you years

of dependable service even under the most

How It Works demanding conditions. It’s easy to use and maintain,

and you’ll like its flexibility. Engineered by one of

The Aridex Upholstery Extraction Cleaning the world’s leading producers of heavy-duty cleaning
System will help you simply and easily clean both equipment, you’ll also like its many handy features.

WARNING: DISCONNECT FROM Caution: Do not overwet fabrics

POWER BEFORE SERVICING

How the cleaning process works

(A) Container for special liquid detergent. (F) Nozzle of powerful vacuum removes dirt-laden

foam from fabric.
(B) Exhaust air from electric motor travels to
(C), where it mixes with detergent to produce (G) Foam with dirt held in suspension arrives in dirt
dry foam. receptacle tank.

(D) Dirt-dissolving foam rushes to (E) brush head. (H) Air passes through filter and (B) motor to air

outlet at bottom of machine to complete the cleaning
(E) Gentle outside brushes revolve clockwise while cycle.
inside brushes revolve counterclockwise. This double
action separates greasy dirt from fabric and gives
deep, thorough shampooing.

3

System Overview

The Aridex Upholstery Extraction Cleaning

Detergent Solution

System has been developed to give you a fast,
economical method of upholstery cleaning. This The detergent capacity of the Upholstery Extraction
versatile, portable machine has a number of unique Cleaning System is two U.S. gallons (7.6 liters).
features. A detergent solution is changed into a dry Prepare Von Schrader Carpet and Upholstery
foam inside the main body of the machine, called the Detergent by mixing 4-6 oz. of detergent per gallon
power unit. of water. Improper use or dilution may cause damage

to surfaces and increased risk of health effects.
This dry foam is forced by air pressure to the brush
unit on which a switch is mounted to control the

Caution: Avoid contact with eyes. (S25) Should eye

amount of foam desired. The foam is applied by two contact occur, flush thoroughly with water. If irritation
brushes, each rotating in opposite directions. The persists, consult physician. Not flammable.
scrubbing action of the brushes on the fabric loosens Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) not required.
the dirt. Non-hazardous per OSHA and EU guidelines when

used as directed.
The wet and dry vacuum system, which is built into
the machine, is used to extract the dirty foam from

Disposal: Empty packaging may be recycled or

the fabric, and to remove loose soil and dust prior to landfilled in accordance with local regulations.
cleaning. Waste solutions typically must be disposed of in the

sewer or in a wastewater treatment facility; please
The vacuum is of a powerful 2-stage fan design. One check your local regulations.
universal motor in the power unit drives the vacuum
and also makes the foam. A unique permanent

Always Test For Color Fastness First!

magnet motor in the brush unit drives the cleaning
brushes. Identify a place where the fabric is exposed to wear

and sunlight. The dye on some upholstery fabrics

IMPORTANT NOTE: Save all the shipping will begin to break down faster when subjected to

containers and inner packing material in which

these conditions. While the back of a chair may not

your Aridex Upholstery Extraction Cleaning show deterioration after cleaning, the front may fade
System arrived. You will want to use them if it is ever because of this fact.
necessary to ship your machine.

Wet a white cloth with detergent solution.

Power Supply

Rub the cloth on each color of the fabric. If any color
The power unit is available with two power supplies: rubs off on the cloth, it indicates that the colors in
120 volts AC or 230 volts AC.

the fabric are not fast. Do not attempt to clean a

fabric that fails this fastness test!

The brush unit’s permanent magnet motor is driven

by 24 volt DC current supplied by the power unit.

NOTE: Some fabrics may stand two or three

cleanings, but will fade or “bleed” on the third or

fourth cleaning. It is good professional practice to

always make the fastness test even if you have

successfully cleaned the fabrics in the past.

Important: Von Schrader liquid detergent will not

harm any color that is fast to water, but you may

occasionally come across a very low grade or poor

quality fabric which is not even color fast to water

alone. Do not attempt to clean such fabrics!

4

Set Up / Cleaning Procedures

The Aridex Upholstery Extraction Cleaning

Power cord. The machine is supplied with

System offers an attractive alternative to outdated a 30-foot (9m) power cord. The cord is
wet upholstery cleaning systems. With it, no liquid attached to the center of the front panel. The
touches the fabric, just a soft, gentle dry foam that cord can be conveniently stored by wrapping
separates the dirt from the fabric, then is removed tightly around upper half of the hood.
immediately.

Fill the detergent tank. Unscrew the

The odorless detergent used in this process is detergent tank cap on the top of the power
actually beneficial to fabrics. No dirt attracting soaps unit hood. Using the filling funnel, pour no
or toxic dry cleaning fluids are used, and furniture is more than two U.S. gallons (7.6 liters) of
ready for use immediately after cleaning. diluted detergent into the tank. The tank is

full when detergent reaches the bottom of

Brushes

the filler tube. DO NOT OVER-FILL. Replace

the cap tightly to insure proper foam
Take care to keep foreign objects from generation.
contacting the brushes while storing or transporting
the machine. Failure to protect the brushes may

Add Liquidator solution to recovery tank.

result in the bristles taking a distorted set. 1) Remove hood - using a screwdriver,

loosen the two retaining screws and lift up.

2) Remove filter housing - unlatch filter

Preparation and Setup housing and pull straight back.

3) Mix defoamer solution by adding 1 teaspoon

Insert foam connector. The foam connector

of liquidator concentrate along with 1/4 cup of

goes into the panel on the front of the power water into the recovery tank.
unit. Take care to align the electrical 4) Replace filter housing and hood.
connections on this unit. Lift the connector

and it will lock in place with a soft “snap”. To

Controls. On the top of the power unit

remove connector, lift the U-shaped latch is the main power switch. Make sure
located on the top of the panel and pull out that the brush unit switch is OFF before
the connector. The following figure shows the activating the main power switch. The
panel with all connections inserted. vacuum, foam, and brushes are remotely

controlled by the switch on the brush unit.

Insert vacuum hose coupling. Insert the

You may use the vacuum when the brush

vacuum hose in the panel. unit is in either the OFF or ON position.

5

DO NOT vacuum when the brush unit is in the FOAM

Cleaning With Your Aridex

position because the same air used to vacuum is also
being used to make foam. Using the vacuum while Turn the power unit switch to the ON position.
generating foam will restrict air flow and result in
reduced foam output. Turn the brush unit switch to the FOAM position.

The brush unit runs in either the ON (dry) or FOAM Apply foam to about 3 sq.ft. (.3 sq.m.) of fabric
position. You may switch back and forth freely from (about the size of a cushion) and brush the area
one setting to the other to control the amount of foam with the brush unit. Use both horizontal and
being produced. vertical motions. Let the brush unit do the

scrubbing while you slowly guide it.
A unique design forces the foam to flow around the
motor case inside the brush unit. This circulation

NOTE: Excessive foam does not aid in cleaning.

helps keep the foam warm and cools the motor. If an excessive amount of foam starts to build

up, simply place the brush unit switch to the ON
Under the hood is a reversing switch to change position. Y ou will be able to easily regulate the
the direction of rotation of the cleaning brushes. amount of foam by moving the brush unit switch
Changing the direction of rotation at the beginning back and forth between the ON and FOAM
of each day (or after 8 hours of running time) helps positions.

keep the cleaning brushes from taking a “set” in one

direction, and will greatly increase the life of the On heavily soiled areas you do not have to apply
carbon brushes in the brush unit motor. more pressure to the brush unit. The revolving

action of the brushes is enough to clean the

CAUTION: Do not reverse brush unit rotation while

fabric. The foam alone may not do the job.

the brush unit motor is running. Doing so may Applying a prespray such as Prelim will help.
demagnetize the permanent magnets in the brush Follow the directions for use as printed on the
motor. container. Use of Prelim will greatly reduce the

scrubbing required to remove heavily soiled areas.
Note that the brush unit side handle offers added
control and helps reduce operator fatigue. It can
be mounted on either the right or left side of the
brush unit. Simply remove outer access cap.

Use waterproof mats. Use waterproof mats to

protect the floor from moisture which may build
up during cleaning.

Prevacuum the fabric. Always vacuum the

fabric well before cleaning to remove all loose
dust and dirt. Brushes and combs can help
loosen soil.

6

Don't leave the foam on the fabric for more than

Cleaning Sofas

2 to 3 minutes, including brushing time.

The average three cushion sofa can be cleaned in

NOTE: Heavier fabrics will withstand more

less than 1 hour. Follow these steps:

brushing than will delicate fabrics.

Tip the sofa forward so you can clean its back

Apply foam for no longer than 30 seconds. side while standing upright rather than while

Excessive heat from operating the brush unit in bending or kneeling. Because the back of
the "FOAM" position for too long can result in the sofa receives minimal soil, you will be
damage to the air valve/solenoid assembly. able to clean larger sections at one time.
Adequate cooling will be achieved by brushing
in the foam in the "ON" position then switch the Clean the arms and sides of the sofa next.
brush unit to "OFF" and vacuum the fabric
thoroughly. Clean the front and top surfaces next.

NOTE: It is very important to have the brush

Any fringe or apron bordering the bottom of

unit switch in the OFF position when the sofa can be held with one hand and
vacuuming because the strength of the cleaned while holding the brush unit in your
vacuum is greatly decreased when the brush other hand.
unit is running.

Clean the cushions last. Place them on top
As you are learning the cleaning technique, especially of the waterproof mat and clean the outside
during your first few cleaning jobs, check frequently edges along with either the top or bottom.
for wetting of the filter bag. When this bag gets wet it Vacuum the foam, turn the cushion over,
allows liquid into fans and the motor, which will in then clean the opposite side. The brush unit’s
time ruin the motor bearings. The bag will get wet if light weight allows you to control the cushion
you are using improper cleaning technique. If the filter with one hand while cleaning i t with the brush
bag is getting wet, brush the foam more before unit in your other hand.
vacuuming, or use less foam.

Cleaning Chairs

With good technique, dust and dirt will collect on the
filter bag with little or no foam buildup in the recovery A large upholstered lounge chair can be cleaned in
tank. If the bag has been wetted during cleaning, 15 minutes or less.
remove the filter housing from the machine and run
the power unit motor for 1 minute to clean out foam If practical, tip the chair forward so it will
and liquid. Rinse the filter bag, shake out excess support itself on its arms. This allows you to
water, and replace. clean its back side while standing upright

rather than while bending or kneeling.

Drying Time Because the back of the chair receives

minimal soil, you will be able to clean larger
We recommend allowing furniture to dry completely sections at one time.
before use. Fabrics vary in drying time, and will take
from 2 to 10 hours to dry. Factors affecting drying Place the chair on its side on the waterproof
time include the type of fabric, relative humidity, mat, allowing you to work from a standing
and air circulation. position. Clean one side, then turn the chair

and clean the other side.

Turn the chair upright and clean the front and

top surfaces next.

7

Any fringe or apron bordering the bottom of the

Cleaning Fabric Covered Wall Dividers

chair can be held with one hand and cleaned
while holding the brush unit in your other hand. Many commercial and industrial offices are divided

into areas by fabric covered vertical panels. These
Clean the cushion(s) last. Place them on top panels are ideally suited to cleaning with the
of the waterproof mat and clean the outside Aridex Upholstery Extraction Cleaning System’s
edges along with either the top or bottom. dry foam and light brush action. Here’s how:
Vacuum the foam, turn the cushion over,
then clean the opposite side. The brush unit’s Starting at the bottom of the panel, apply foam
light weight allows you to control the cushion over sections about 2 sq.ft. (.2 sq.m.).
with one hand while cleaning it wi th the brush
unit in your other hand. Vacuum quickly. Allowing foam to set very

briefly prevents fabric from becoming overly

Velvets damp and speeds drying.

While all colorfast fabrics are cleaned alike, velvets For best results, always work from bottom to top.
require thorough brushing with a clean nap brush
for best results.

Auto Interiors

Identify the direction of the lay of the pile The Aridex Upholstery Extraction Cleaning
before cleaning. System safely, quickly, and conveniently cleans all

fabrics used in automobile interiors. These include
Brush the pile with the nap brush as soon as velours, woven fabrics, prints, textured patterns, and
the foam is vacuumed from one section. even leather.
Brush gently but thoroughly, so the pile lays all
in the same direction as it did before cleaning. The Aridex Upholstery Extraction Cleaning

System’s innovative design allows you to use the

If you fail to brush velvets well they will tend compact, easily handled brush head and vacuum
to mat down and appear rough. This is nozzle even in hard to reach locations, while the
especially true of antique velvets. power unit remains out of the way outside the vehicle.

Use an inexpensive blow hair dryer to

Leather

shorten drying time.

Von Schrader has developed special Leather Lather

Haitian Cotton and Leather Lotion, products formulated to effectively

clean all types of smooth, finished leather furniture
Haitian cotton presents a unique cleaning challenge. and vehicle interiors. Refer to the Accessories &
Von Schrader has developed a special detergent Supplies section elsewhere in this manual for more
concentrate especially for Haitian Cotton. Refer to
the Accessories & Supplies section elsewhere in
this manual for more information.

information.

8

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

Fabrics

Identifying Fabrics

Brocatel or Brocatelle - Similar to brocade,

but the pattern stands out in high relief and
Fabrics are classified in two ways: by weave and is much more noticeable above the surface
pattern, or by the origin of the fiber (for example, than in brocade. Pattern has a “blistered”
natural or man-made). For cleaning purposes it is appearance. The blistered areas have a
the second classification system that is most double back. This is a flat pattern.
important.

Chintz - A printed cotton fabric that is quite

The basic types of weaves or patterns are plain, often glazed. The base fabric is a simple flat
twill, and satin. Weaves can also be classified weave, usually a sheeting. Printed pattern
as flat or pile. usually consists of small, lively figures or

large motifs. Used most often for draperies
Flat fabrics have a flat surface formed by weaving

and slip covers. Chintz cannot be cleaned

yarns at right angles to one another. Velvets and

because any moisture removes the glaze.

mohair have a surface made up of fibers standing
on end like the pile of a rug.

Corduroy - Characterized by a definite corded

or ribbed appearance. While corduroy
Even though most fabrics are cleaned the same resembles a velvet fabric, it is a flat weave.
way, the following descriptions of the most common The corded or ribbed effect is produced by
types of fabrics may be helpful. floating an extra set of filling yarns over the

surface, then cutting these yarns so they

Artificial leather - Fabric coated with

stand up like tufts. These tufts are then

nitrocellulose and embossed, then colored teased, singed, and brushed. Corduroy is
to look like leather. This can be cleaned the generally made of cotton or mercerized cotton.
same as cloth. Use a leather dressing after
cleaning.

Crash - A simple, flat weave characterized

by a surface of coarse yarns woven in an

Boucle - A rather flat looking material with a

uneven texture. Made of cotton or linen,

surface made up of yarns with knots and sometimes combined with jute.
spirals. No regular pattern. Surface yarns do
not cover the entire face, but are irregularly

Damask - Material with reversible pattern

placed to leave parts of the surface open. which changes color on the reverse side.
A flat fabric made of wool, cotton, rayon, Whereas the pattern of a brocade is raised,
or a blend. the pattern in a damask is very flat. Linen

table cloths are characteristic of the damask

Brocade - A figured material in which the

weave. Upholstery damasks are made of silk,

design is woven in relief against a foundation cotton, linen, wool, rayon, mercerized cotton,
of a different weave. Whereas damask has singly or in combination. High quality damasks
a very flat pattern, brocade has a slightly are very tightly woven.

raised or “embossed” pattern. This is

produced by using yarns of different colors

Embossed fabrics - These can be either

or by exposing contrasting surfaces of the flat fabrics or velvets. Flat fabrics and various
same color yarns. A flat fabric originally weaves are embossed by running them
woven of gold and silver silk threads, but now between engraved rollers. Plain velvets of
made of silk, cotton, rayon, or a combination mohair, rayon, or cotton are sometimes
of cotton and rayon in various colors. embossed, then sheared and brushed to

bring up the pressed pile to form a design.

10

Frieze velvet - A plain frieze velvet has a Leather - Processed hides can be cleaned

solid surface of loops extending upright from safely with Von Schrader Leather Lather and
the base of the fabric. Differs from a plain Leather Lotion.
cut velvet in that the upright yarns are turned
back into the base of the fabric to form loops

Matelasse - Woven flat fabric of the brocade

instead of being cut to form erect yarns. type. In matelasse the design looks “quilted”
A cut and uncut frieze velvet is a combination rather than “embossed”.
of plain cut and frieze velvets in that some of
the surface yarns are looped, while others

Pile fabrics - Three dimensional velvet

have been cut to stand erect. Many fabrics with an extra set of yarns woven at
interesting patterns are developed in this right angles to the base to form an erect
way. Woven on special wire looms with surface. The upright yarns can be mohair,
Jacquard attachments. wool, cotton, silk, mercerized cotton, linen,

or rayon. Rich looking and durable.
Plain frieze velvets, cut, and uncut frieze
velvets are attractive and durable. They are

Plush - Velvet pile fabrics with a rather open

made of mohair, cotton, rayon, silk, linen, pile surface over 1/8 inch (3.2mm) high. In
and wool, singly or in combination. most instances, modern, low pile velvets

have replaced plushes.

Fur fabric - A general class of high pile

velvets made to resemble animal fur. The

Print - Print is a general term to describe flat

effect is obtained by printing or cutting. or velvet fabrics having a printed pattern.
Suitable for modern furniture. Mohair, alpaca,
and tussah (wild) silk are used for the pile.

Ratine - A flat tapestry weave material with

a characteristic surface made of nubbed or

Hair cloth - A stiff fabric woven with horse

knotted yarns loosely woven to give a bumpy

hair. Often combined with other fibers, and appearance.
used for period furniture. Sometimes has
small designs.

Satin - A very lustrous flat fabric usually

made of silk with a cotton back in plain,

Haitian cotton - A fabric woven from

damask, or brocade weave. Sometimes

imported cotton to include tan or brownish mercerized cotton or rayon is used instead
seed pods as part of the texture and color. of silk.
When cleaned conventionally, these nubby
spots tend to bleed unless special

Serge - A flat fabric woven with a twill

precautions are taken. Von Schrader Haitian (diagonal) weave. May be wool, cotton,
Cotton Detergent (C1635) greatly reduces or linen.
the risk of damage.

Taffeta - A fine, closely woven flat fabric with

Homespun - A flat fabric, very loosely woven

a smooth surface. Made with backing and

and made of rough, coarse yarns. Generally filling yarns of the same thickness, giving a
made of cotton or a combination of cotton very even appearance. Woven of silk or
and jute. Machine reproductions of fabrics rayon and cotton.
originally made by hand for clothing, but
using heavier yarns.

Tapestry - A flat fabric that is usually figured

and multi-colored. Woven on a Jacquard

Jacquard - Woven velvet or flat fabrics that

loom. Made of different types of colored

are patterned. Because of the nature of the yarns, singly or in combination. Originally
pattern, they cannot be produced on plain made by hand with bobbins worked from the
looms. The patterns of Jacquard fabrics are wrong side. In a machine-made tapestry, the
sometimes quite elaborate and complicated. wrong side is smooth. In a handmade fabric

it is shiny.

11

Velour - The word velour is French for velvet.

Surface yarns are silk, cotton, or rayon. Mohair

This is a general name for velvet fabrics with velvet is velvet with a surface of mohair yarns.
a pile of cotton, rayon, or silk. Used for Cotton velvet is velvet with a surface of cotton
draperies. Usually called velvet when applied yarns. Rayon velvet is velvet with a surface of
to upholstery fabrics. rayon yarns, and so on.

Velvet - General name for fabrics with a pile Velveteen - A low-priced cotton flat fabric

surface or “third dimension” made up of erect with a false pile made with an extra set of
yarns woven at right angles to the base. filling yarns which are cut and brushed to
Pile height is less than 1/8 inch (3.2mm). simulate a pile. Made the same way as

corduroy, but the surface is not ribbed.

Common Upholstery Fabrics and Fibers

Fabric Type Characteristics Cleaning Cautions

Cotton Highly absorbent fiber Stronger when wet than when dry

Herculon

Durable, almost completely stain- If backed with latex, use caution when
proof fiber with a low water absorb- spotting
bancy rate, and excellent fastness

Linen Very strong, highly absorbent Highly absorbent synthetic fiber with

natural fiber excellent fastness

Nylon Extremely strong, durable synthetic Few, if any, serious disadvantages

that cleans and dries easily

Rayon

Highly absorbent synthetic fiber

If overwet, dyes have a tendency to brown

with excellent fastness

Silk Extremely strong natural fiber Sheen may be lost in cleaning

Acid cleaners or spotters must be
thoroughly removed with rinsing.

Wool Very strong natural fiber that is Whites may brown if overwet

moderately absorbent

Velvet

Not a fiber, but a weave

May be composed of many different fibers

so prior testing is essential

12