Can You Save Grandma’s Needlepoint Upholstery?

October 19, 2009

Can You Save Grandma’s Needlepoint Upholstery?

(Note: Test cleaning needlepoint fabric in a small (hidden) area is crucial…!)

From time to time we are asked: Can You Save Grandma’s Needlepoint Upholstery? This usually involves chairs, that were covered with handmade needlepoint fabric woven by a family member. Usually the conversation starts with our client saying: “Can you safely clean this upholstery without changing the coloring, texture or creating dye bleeding?”. Usually our answer is: Yes, with restrictions. These needlepoints are usually more than 40 years old and have never been cleaned. Dye degradation can exist, possibly resulting in rapid and irreversible dye bleeding. Some other concerns include:

Weakened fabric-cleaning, even gentle cleaning, can result in tears in fabric that is old and has been subjected to UV light and heavy wear
Natural stuffing material-the cloth under the needlepoint, usually jute, possibly with horsehair, can bleed through to the top and create watermarking and browning.
Wood finishes-the shellac or lacquer finishes contain dyes and after many years these dyes can rub off the wood and be washed onto the fabric creating a permanent stain.
Metal buttons and tacks-water based cleaning solutions may react with steel and iron buttons or tacks and can create rust marks on the needlepoint fabric. Rust at times is permanent.

Here’s what we suggest:

Clean the piece before it shows signs of soiling. Light soil removal is less risky for delicate fabric and fibers
Solvent (dry) cleaning-Solvent cleaning may be applicable in this situation. Solvents usually don’t create rust or dye bleeding. Even with solvent cleaning successful cleaning is not guaranteed.
Remove the fabric for cleaning-have a skilled upholsterer remove the needlepoint fabric-your cleaner then tacks out the fabric flat on plywood using stainless steel tacks and cleans, allowing the fabric to remain tacked out for 24 hours. The upholsterer replaces the needlepoint to the chair after re-stuffing the seat with new synthetic cushion (not foam).

No matter the plan of action you chose make sure the cleaner tests the dye for stability and the foundation yarns for rippling in a small area of the seat prior to complete cleaning.

Can You Save Grandma's Needlepoint Upholstery?