Victoria & Co.

Eco Cleaning EXPERT!

As Toronto's expert in cleaning fine upholstery and soft furnishings, Don Davis, president of Victoria & Co., is often called to customers' disasters and other cleaners' mistakes.

At Victoria & Co we have been mastering the fine art of furniture cleaning for over twenty years. No one has more experience than we do! We are the only company in Canada specializing in cleaning fine upholstery.

Repeat business and referrals are the ultimate compliments and ensure our continued success.

1. Unzip
   "People figure that because they can unzip their upholstery they can just take it off and take it to the dry cleaners," says Davis. In fact, zippers are put in for the convenience of the manufacturer, not the customer. Upholstery should be cleaned on the frame or cushion so that it will retain its shape. Also, dry cleaners use different materials and techniques than upholstery cleaners, which can damage upholstery.

2. Assume it's already protected
   People often assume their upholstery comes protected however, that's not always the case. It is important to read the labels and if your upholstery hasn't been treated, do it right away. At Victoria & Co. we now offer an exclusive ALL GREEN Fabric Protection, the natural alternative to chemical protectors like Scotch Guard and Teflon, just as effective but without the chemicals!
   

3. Spotclean
   If kids try their new magic markers on the couch, you can just get it out with a little detergent, right? Wrong. "Spot cleaning can leave blotches or take the colour out of your upholstery, leaving it looking even worse," says Davis.

4. Hire a regular cleaner
   "People think upholstery cleaners are all the same, but most are actually carpet cleaners who just switch attachments to do upholstery." The steam cleaning technique used on carpets doesn't work with fine upholstery fabrics. It is important to inquire whether the upholstery cleaner has experience cleaning fine fabrics such as cotton, linens, silks, velvets, damasks, etc rather than synthetics alone.

5. Don't clean it at all
   Besides looking unattractive, the buildup of fine dust and grit will wear down the fabric and can also trigger allergies. Upholstery should be cleaned every three to five years.

6. Choose the wrong fabric
   "All fabrics are cleanable, but some are better for some uses than others." Cotton works better than silk for people who have young children or pets or who entertain a lot. Reverse patterns bleed from the inside when something gets spilled on them, so keep them out of the dining room. Even leather isn't indestructible. It should be checked and conditioned every three to five years. Scratches can be covered with colour-matched dyes.