Before you grab a gallon of bleach and starting pouring it over your bleach cleanable Upholstery fabric, you may want to read this article.
When a fabric is marketed as being bleach cleanable, there is more to know than just "get out the bleach!" when a spill happens. Even though it can be cleaned with bleach, it's not as simple as it may seem at first glance.
First let's take a minute and talk about what makes a fabric bleach cleanable in the first place. The fabric we promote as bleach cleanable is made from solution-dyed nylon or olefin. Fabric made from these types of fiber have the advantage of the color being throughout the fiber, and not just on the surface. Much like the color of a carrot is throughout the whole thing, and the color of a radish is only on the surface.
Because the color is throughout the fiber, and not just on the surface, this makes the fabric hold its color much better when exposed to harsh cleaners and chemicals.
The reality is, even when a fabric can be cleaned with bleach, there are still some precautions and instructions to follow. It's wise to try to clean the fabric with gentle cleaners first, and if you don't succeed, then work your way up towards more aggressive methods. The strongest being bleach. Even then though, you will want to dilute the bleach with a 4 parts water to 1 part bleach solution. And remember to first test an inconspicuous spot.
So, while it may be slightly more complicated than grabbing a bottle of bleach whenever a spill happens, our handy chart below can help you navigate the land of spills and stains. Happy cleaning!
