Question from Mary
I just had my couch and two chairs reupholstered and now my husband can’t sit in the room because he has an allergy to most new fabrics. When I bring home fabrics to sew something I always wash it before using it but I don’t know how I could have washed 15 to 20 yards of upholstery fabic. I have sprayed with “alergy reducer” Febreze but it isn’t enough. Is there something I can clean steam the furniture with that might help get out whatever is off gasing? We have put it outside to air out for 4 days so far. Would love some suggestions.
Debra’s Answer
Yes, you can wash that amount of fabric. I have reupholstered my wing chair twice and my 6-foot sofa once and I have always washed the fabric first before giving it to the upholsterer.
Febreze “allergy reducer” is for pollen, etc, not the chemicals that your husband is reacting to. Please stop using that, as the chemicals in Febreze are probably making it worse for him.
Airing is a good idea.
Steam cleaning could help. Steam cleaners are sold everywhere small appliances are sold.
Readers, what do you suggest?
It’s really really really important to wash the fabric first.
