COMPLETE INSTRUCTION GUIDE
FABRICS
Vacuuming and removing loose dirt from the surface will keep your fabrics like new. It is important to remove stains and spills immediately as they occur, to avoid residuals getting permanently embedded in the fiber’s structure and becoming nearly impossible to remove. Sponge briskly with a clean sponge or piece of cloth, lukewarm water and mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove dirt. Air dry.
Under normal conditions Mariaflora Italian Luxury Performance Fabrics can be dry cleaned, and hand- or machine-washed with a gentle 30°C (86°F) cycle and a soft detergent. Low speed spin dry, then air dry. Avoid using tumble dryers and high pressure cleaners as they could damage the fabrics. Please note that solution-dyed acrylic is inherently mildew resistant; however, mildew may grow on dirt and residue that has not been removed from the fabric.
Chlorine bleach will not affect the coloration of the solution-dyed acrylic fiber and is therefore acceptable for stubborn stain removal, including mildew. The harshness of bleach products and strong chemicals will eventually affect the strength of any fiber, so we suggest a diluted solution of 2% bleach to 98% water. Thorough rinsing with clean water is always essential: sodium hypochlorite residuals could react with UV rays and permanently damage the coloration of the fabric. Professional dry cleaning is always recommended for tough stains.
Foam or covers involved? Read here.
We recommend delicately removing the foam/filling (both exterior- and interior-use) and washing the cover separately. Always rinse thoroughly and let air dry. Residuals of soap and chemicals could react with the filling and damagethe fabric. Professional dry cleaning is always recommended for tough stains. Please note that interior-grade foam is never recommended for exterior installation.
Covers for outdoor furniture must be certified BHT free to avoid chemical reactions that may affect the coloration of the fabric.
TRIM PILLOWS
Gently brush or vacuum any loose dirt from the surface. To avoid staining, spills should be removed immediately. Blot any excess liquid from the surface. Using a clean, damp cloth or sponge, gently dab the spot to remove the remaining stain. For stubborn stains, apply a natural soap or mild detergent to the cloth and gently rub (excessive rubbing may damage the trimming). Rinse with clean water and let air dry. Professional cleaning is always recommended for tough stains.
VELVETS AND CHENILLES
Mariaflora’s 100% solution-dyed acrylic velvets and chenilles offer high-performance and the softest hand on the market thanks to the Alpine waters of our hometown Biella. Being the softest waters in Europe, they prevent the precipitation of chemicals during finishing, leaving our fabrics as soft as their natural counterparts.
For everyday maintenance we recommend vacuuming any loose dirt from the surface of your fabric and remove spills and stains immediately by gently dabbing the spot with a clean cloth or sponge. For more stubborn stains, apply a natural soap or a mild detergent to the cloth and gently rub (excessive rubbing may damage the fabric). Rinse with clean water and let air dry. As a final step, comb the pile with a soft brush following the direction of the nap.
In order to avoid wrinkling and prevent damage to the pile, store bolts horizontally and suspended if possible. Avoid storing velvet and chenille vertically. To remove wrinkling, apply steam gently (no closer than 1cm – 1/2” from the surface) and brush with a soft brush. Final brushing should always be in the direction of the nap.
PRINTS
THROWS, CARPETS, SHEERS
Gently brush or vacuum any loose dirt from the surface. To avoid staining, spills should be removed immediately. Blot any excess liquid from the surface. Using a clean, damp cloth or sponge, gently dab the spot to remove the remaining stain. For more stubborn stains, apply a natural soap or mild detergent to the surface and gently rub (excessive rubbing may damage the product). Rinse with clean water and let air dry.
Mariaflora carpets, sheers and throws can be machine-washed. We recommend a normal 30°C (86°F) cycle with mild detergent and low spin speed. Avoid thumble dryers. A solution of 98% water to 2% bleach can be used to treat stubborn stains. Thorough rinsing is always essential. Professional cleaning is always recommended for tough stains.
TIPS TO PREVENT COLOR ALTERATION
Color loss and/or alteration on indoor-outdoor fabrics is usually due to exposure to UV rays, which can alter the fiber’s molecular structure and facilitate the development of radical compounds that ultimately undermine the fabric’s color fastness. This is not the case for Mariaflora Ifabrics as our fabrics are woven into our signature solution-dyed acrylic yarns, which withstand UV rays (UNI EN ISO 105-B04). However, color alterations (even if rare) can occur in case of negligence in fabric care.
Mariaflora fabrics will withstand stains and weather only if properly maintained as instructed by our guidelines (see previous points). In particular: when treated with bleach or strong chemicals, the fabric should always be rinsed thoroughly and dried in the shadow to avoid yellowing. It is furthermore crucial to remove any residuals from the surface of the fabric, to avoid getting them permanently embedded in the fiber and causing chemical reactions that will eventually damage the fabric. This is the case for “sunburn” effects that may occur in very dry areas and deserts: if dust and sand residuals are not periodically removed from the fabric, they will penetrate in the fibers and react with UV rays and other chemical substances (eg. pillows fill, foam…), ultimately causing alterations to the fabric’s color.
HOW DO I CLEAN IT?
Beer
Wine
Oil, mayo, grease Stains
Sprinkle with cornstarch for the stain to be absorbed. Gently rub off residuals with a spoon. Sponge briskly with a 1:20 solution of dishwashing liquid or mild detergent to water. For stubborn stains, follow up with a bleach solution (2% bleach 98% water) as needed. Rinse thoroughly.