Frames

E W Crowther Ltd guarantees the frames of our sofa’s & chairs against defects in materials and workmanship for ten years. However to prevent damage that would not be covered by the guarantee we recommend that you do not sit on the arm of the furniture. Do not expose your furniture to direct heat sources such as radiators as this could cause frames to warp.

Springs

Jumping on or falling back into seats is not recommended, as this will damage them in the long term.

Fabric

Direct sunlight will cause any fabric to fade in time, and in extreme cases, namely conservatories, rot the material. Regularly turning cushions will distribute any fading and wear. Cover vulnerable areas with a throw in the summer months if you have a particularly sunny room.

Gently vacuuming the cushions and furniture, will prolong the wear of the fabrics by removing dust and grit that weakens the cloth and reduce the need for cleaning or washing. Chenille fabrics in particular benefit from vacuuming as this helps to avoid pile flattening.

If you have pets this is especially important for oily coats and fur. Pilling (where bobbles form on the fabric), this can be controlled by using a fluff shaver. It does not indicate premature wear, it may be due to loose particles of fabric which have become entangled in the fabric during the manufacturing process, working there way to the surface during use; or it can be formed from loose fibers shed from cloths or other fabrics.

Fabric Wear

Pile fabrics such as velvets and chenille’s may flatten when people sit on them. This is mostly inevitable and does not affect the durability of the fabric. New jeans, particularly if they are damp can leave dye on your furniture. This can be very difficult to remove. This is particularly noticeable with white and cream leather. The risk of this is greatly reduced after they have been washed for the first time.

Cleaning

Always follow the cleaning instructions for the particular fabric you have chosen. However there are some basic rules, which can be applied to all fabrics. 1. Never spot clean with proprietary products to clean a particular stain or mark. These can cause a white spot or faded area to appear. 2. Always clean a complete set of covers wherever possible. Cleaning may cause shade differences to occur and may noticeable. 3. Leather will age and crease attractively but will need cleaning from time to time. Leather Master produce an excellent cleaning and protection kit. For further information look at our “Products” section.

Spills

1. Spillages and stains should be dealt with quickly soak up liquid with a clean absorbent damp cloth, DO NOT soak the fabric. Soaking the upholstery can leave a permanent mark or cause puckering or damage the interior. 2. Remove solids with a spoon, and then clean with a damp clean cloth. 3. Do not rub.

Washing

Many modern fabrics are either machine or hand washable. Customers are advised that when wet an entire loose cover may be too heavy for a domestic washing machine.

Wash colored’s separately

Repeated washing may cause changes in shade or tone. Reduce the need for washing by soft brushing or gently vacuuming, use arm covers and turning cushions regularly. We recommend the use of Dreft or Persil Colour, or any powder or liquid that does not contain bleaching or brightening agents.

Dry cleaning

We recommend that large items are dry-cleaned. A specialist cleaning company can clean fixed covers on site. Look in the yellow pages under Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning.