Contents. Natural fibers Chart... Wool... Cotton... Organic cotton... Linen... Silk... Man-made fibres

Transcription

1 Textile information

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3 Contents Natural fibers Chart... Wool... Cotton... Organic cotton... Linen... Silk... Man-made fibres Chart... Regenerated fibres... Viscose... Synthetic fibres... Polyester... Trevira CS... Polyamid / nylon... Polyurethan... Helanca... Modacrylic... Microfibre... Yarns Spinning... Staple yarn / filament yarn... Carded woollen yarn / worsted... Plied yarn... Chenille... Dyeing Material dyeing... Yarn dyeing... Piece dyeing... Printing Pigment printing... Reactive printing... Burn-out... Inkjet / digital printing... Weaving Plain weave... Twill weave... Satin weave... Jacquard

4 Double weave... Épinglé... Velour... Mercerisation... Milling... Sanforising Finishing Stain resistant finish... Alucoating... Flame-retarding... Tests and specification of requirements Abrasion resistance... Pilling... Light fastness... Fastness to weathering... Fastness to rubbing... Fire tests... Fire requirements Private sector - furniture fabric... Contract sector - furniture fabric... Contract sector - curtains... Care and symbols Washing... Bleaching... Dry-cleaning... Drying... Finishing ironing... Maintenance upholstery fabric... Maintenance of Trevira CS and Polyester FR curtains... Clouds maintenance... User guide for upholstery fabric... Upholstery guide for velvet... Quality and environment Quality... Environment... EU Flower Ecolabel

5 Preface Textiles are used in all sorts of interiors offices, hospitals, nursing homes, theatres and hotels as well as in the home. Each setting poses specific requirements on the furnishing, curtains and screen fabrics. It is therefore important to know how to find the material that best meet these particular requirement. Readers of this Kvadrat textile information manual will discover that there is a wide selection of materials, weaving and finishing methods, each offering distinctive characteristics and benefits. It reviews the important facts of the textile manufacturing process and is an excellent tool for working with textiles and identifying the fabrics that are best suited to your needs.

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7 Natural fibres Natural fibres are derived from animals or plants. Animal Vegetable Mineral Fur Cocoon Bast Leaf Stem Seed / Fruit Asbestos Wool Angora Mohair Llama Camel Cashmere Silk Coconut Manila Sisal Linen Hemp Cotton 7

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9 Wool Wool, a natural animal fibre, is made from sheep fleece. Being a natural fabric, it has many excellent properties. Wool fibres are curly and elastic, allowing the yarn to stretch when pulled and helping it return to its original form. Woollen fabric is capable of withstanding a high degree of wear and has very little tendency to crease. Wool resists dirt to a greater extent than other types of fabric because of the unique structure of the wool fibre and the fact it generates very little static electricity. Wool is intrinsically flame-retardant as its ignition temperature is very high. It neither drips nor melts, but chars. If a glowing ember from a match or cigarette is dropped on it, there will only be a singed mark, which can be brushed off. Woollen fabric is very comfortable since the wool fibre adjusts to room temperature thanks to the compactness of the fibres. Hence, wool upholstery feels warm in the cold and cool in the heat. New Zealand wool Wools of New Zealand is an organisation helping to promote the use of wool from New Zealand. In order to obtain a licence allowing the labelling of items as Wools of New Zealand, fabrics must fulfil certain requirements in respect of properties such as abrasion resistance, pilling, light fastness, colourfastness and crocking, etc. The fabrics must also be manufactured with due regard for the environment. R 9

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11 Cotton Cotton is a vegetable fibre. Cottonseed lint, consisting of cellulose, is used for cotton yarn. Robust and durable, cotton it is also resistant to sunlight. Cotton has good colour and printing properties, since the fibre has a high absorption capacity, i.e. dye binds well to the yarn. Since cotton fibre is fairly inelastic, cotton items have a tendency to crease. Cotton items also generally shrink to some extent when washed. This can be overcome by sanforising the cotton (forcing it to shrink), stabilising the item to reduce changes in size during normal washing. M Organic cotton Organic cotton is completely natural. As a result, the cultivation process does not include synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. The use of genetically modified seeds is banned. Organic cotton is cultivated in rotation with other crops and is fertilised with manure and compost, which preserves and even increases the soil s fertility. Both the growing and production of organic cotton are based on long-term, sustainable methods that benefit both the environment and people. Organic cotton is recyclable and biologically degradable. 11

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13 Linen Another vegetable textile fibre, linen comes from the stems of the flax plant. The flax filaments in the stem which, like the seed hairs of cotton, also consist of cellulose are made into the linen yarn. The fibre of the flax filament is particularly long and smooth, giving linen great tensile strength and a minimal tendency to stretch. However, linen does not take kindly to mechanical processing, where its durability is not on par with cotton. The long, inelastic flax filaments cause untreated linen to shrink and crease in the wash. Dry dirt can easily be removed thanks to the smoothness of the flax filaments, whereas wet dirt penetrates into the linen fibre more easily. 13

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15 Silk Silk is an animal fibre that comes from the silkworm, which creates its cocoon from very long silk fibres. Taking care of the frail silkworm requires careful attention and hard work. Climate also is an important consideration: mulberry leaves, the sole food of the silkworm, require a frost-free climate. Silk is a living material since silkworms do not produce the exact same silk. This means that the yarn may vary somewhat in thickness and shine. One kilo of cocoons (approximately 2,000 cocoons) gives between 200 and 300 gram of silk, hence the fabric s high cost. One cocoon produces approximately 4 km silk, of which 3 km can be used for grade A products. Naturally, it is not an extremely long yarn and has to be tied together, which creates small knots. Dry cleaning and ironing at low temperatures without steam is recommended. Silk does not tolerate water, which can leave stains. Dry cleaning will, however remove these. Silk offers poor resistance to sunlight, which is why silk fades fairly quickly. In fact, the fibres are damaged by sunlight. Consequently, if silk curtains are to be placed in direct sunlight they should be lined with other fabrics. 15

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17 Man-made fibre Man-made fibres are divided into two main categories: regenerated fibres and synthetic fibres. Regenerated Cellulose Cellulose Esters Protein Sundry Viscose Modal Acetate Synthetic Polyamide Polyester Polyvinyl Polychloride Polypropylene Elastane Polyurethane Nylon Trevira Lycra Polyacrylic PVC Polyvinyl Alcohol Teflon Sundry Cordelan 17

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19 Regenerated fibres Regenerated fibres, made from natural fibres and wood, have a high cellulose content. Viscose The most important recreated fibre is viscose, which is made from wood chips and the leftover materials from the spinning of cotton. Viscose is used to good effect for curtain materials since the fibre is highly resistant to sunlight. Viscose can also be mixed with wool in upholstery fabrics in order to increase the lustre. Viscose fibre is fairly inelastic, which is why viscose items crease so easily. The material can, however, withstand high ironing temperatures. Synthetic fibres Synthetic fibres are made from chemical compounds in the form of oil, natural gas and hydrocarbons. Polyester Polyester is the most popular man-made fibre and is often combined with cotton and wool. Polyester is extremely hardwearing, which is why it is often added to furnishing fabrics. Polyester is frequently used in curtains because of its ability to resist sunlight and creasing. 19

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21 Trevira CS Trevira CS is a special type of polyester: the chemical composition of the fibres makes this textile permanently flame-retardant. This quality remains intact after repeated laundering and long-term usage. Trevira CS fulfils all current fire standards applicable in Europe, both for home use and for the contract market. In addition, this easy care textile ensures a high degree of light fastness, which means minimal fading. N 21

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23 Polyamide / Nylon Like polyester, polyamide (or nylon, as it is popularly called) is often used in combination with wool. Polyamide / nylon is hardwearing and can be mixed in small quantities (5-10%) with wool to increase the durability of the material. Polyurethane Polyurethane is a synthetic polymer created from the reaction between diisocyanateand polyvalent alcohol. A very versatile fibre, polyurethane is used in the Kvadrat product Bazil. Bazil is a composite material made of a base material of cotton / polyester with the addition of a polyurethane film, which is coloured to produce the desired shade. The film has an intricate pattern, making the surface extremely precise. Bazil is produced conventionally, but with consideration for the environment. The benefits of these types of technical products are intensity of use and ease of maintenance. 23

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25 Helanca Helanca is the brand name of a stretchable nylon fibre, which, when mixed with wool, makes material particularly suitable for upholstering certain types of furniture. Tonus is an example of just such a fabric. Modacrylic This is a modified polyacrylic with flame-retarding advantages. It is used in combination with polyester, for example, in curtain fabrics. Microfibre Microfibre is an exceptionally thin fibre, typically created using nylon, polyester, polyurethane or a mixture of these man-made fibres. The definition of a microfibre is: The weight of 9,000 m of thread measured in grammes < 1 i.e. less than 1 denier. The microfibres used in Kvadrat s microfibre furnishing fabric, Waterborn, are called super microfibres, since they are as fine as denier. During the production of the microfibre, the fibres are first pressed together using pins, after which the surface is napped in order to achieve a suede-like appearance. The extra fine fibres mean that microfibre fabrics are very light and soft, but at the same time extremely hard-wearing. 25

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27 Yarns Yarn types are created by different spinning methods 27

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29 Spinning Loose fibres go through a number of processes before they finish up as yarn. The purpose of these processes is to open, clean and align the fibres and gather them into a band. At the end of the process, these bands are stretched and twisted to give the yarn its final strength and thickness. Staple yarn / Filament yarn Staple yarn is a term for yarn made of fibres of a set length. Yarns from natural fibres are always staple yarns. Synthetic items, on the other hand, are most often made from filament yarns, which is the term for yarns made from fibres of infinite lengths. Carded woollen yarn / Worsted yarn Carded woollen yarn undergoes few alignment processes and is a relatively woolly yarn. Worsted yarn undergoes more alignment processes and is also combed, during which the very short fibres are removed. This gives worsted yarn a very smooth, lustrous yarn. Carded woollen yarn Worsted yarn Plied yarn To achieve greater strength / tensile strength and evenness, two or more yarns can be plied together. Special machines can also ply yarns of different types together to achieve effects as seen in bouclé, slub yarns or loop yarns. Chenille Chenille yarn consists of a thread that has short fibres fastened onto it. This gives the yarn the appearance of a pipe cleaner. 29

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31 Dyeing 31

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33 Material dyeing Term for the dyeing of loose wool / cotton or spun-dyed synthetic fibres. Yarn dyeing The off-white yarn is dyed to the desired shade(s) prior to weaving. Piece dyeing The off-white yarn is made up into cloth before being dyed. Due to this process, uni-coloured fabrics will always have slight colour variations from batch to batch. 33

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35 Printing 35

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37 Pigment printing Pigment printing is used for simple patterns but can also be used where a rather special effect is desired, such as printing with mother-of-pearl colours or white printing on a white background. With pigment printing, there are distinct differences between the front and the back. The process can be used on either synthetics or cottons. Reactive printing Reactive printing is only used on synthetics because the dye makes a compound with the fibre, therefore reactive printing is rather like dyeing. With reactive printing, the difference between the front and the back is less distinct. Burn-out Burn-out printing uses either a colourless paste or a paste to which colour has been added. The paste etches away a component of the fibres and these areas become transparent. This kind of printing can be used on many different types of material, including cotton / polyester blends and pure polyester fabrics. Inkjet / digital printing Inkjet / digital printing is a fairly novel textile printing method. The pattern is printed directly from a computer and the process is similar to that of an ordinary printer. The method is ideal for limited productions / amounts. This technique can be used for multi-colour printing, hues with fine lines, photos and very large pattern repeats. 37

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39 Weaving 39

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41 A woven item consists of two thread systems; the warp threads run lengthways and the weft threads run widthways. The desired material is obtained depending on how the two chain-systems are woven together. There are many different weaves, but they can all be traced back to three basic weaves: canvas, twill and satin. Plain weave This weave is the simplest and one of the most common. The weft threads are guided alternately above and below each warp thread. A plain weave looks the same on the front and reverse. It is firm and produces a strong fabric, since it makes use of the maximum number of intersections. Twill weave This weave is characterised by the diagonal stripes that are formed during the weaving process. If the diagonal goes from right to left, the twill is called Z twill. If it goes from left to right, it is called S twill. Twill weave fabrics have fewer intersections than a plain-weave fabric and are therefore also more supple. 41

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43 Satin weave Fabric in this category is characterised by a smooth and frequently lustrous surface. There is a distinct difference between the right and reverse sides because either the warp threads or the weft threads form the wearing surface. Satin items are very flexible and allow for a closer weave than with fabrics of other weaves. Jacquard When large patterns are to be woven, e.g. floral motifs, a special technique is used, whereby each individual warp thread can be raised or lowered independently of the others. The jacquard technique is used for this purpose. The jacquard machine is placed over the weave and is typically digitally guided. 43

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45 Double weave This refers to two items woven together. Typically a plain weave is used, achieving two right sides, one the colour negative of the other. Double weave is often used for bedspreads. Épinglé The épinglé technique, a classic weave, is also called uncut Mecca. Each loop is tied either once or twice like a V or a W in the base weave. This produces a very strong surface where it is almost impossible to pull out the loops. Velour The technique used to produce velour can be the same as that used for épinglé. In the case of velour, however, the loops are cut, resulting in a very soft surface. Mercerisation Cotton yarn or piece-goods are simultaneously stretched whilst being treated in strong soda lye. Mercerisation increases the lustre and strength of the cotton. The effect is permanent. Milling Milling is a finishing method for woollen fabric, where the fabric is subjected to mechanical processing with soap and water. This gives the fabric a felt-like appearance. Milled fabric, however, is not really comparable with a true felt, which is not woven. Sanforising A controlled shrinking process for woven cotton fabrics, resulting in fabrics that are highly stable in terms of holding their shape. 45

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47 Finishing 47

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49 Stain resistant finish A stain resistant finish protects a textile from everyday dirt and liquid spills, but does not take the place of regular cleaning of the material. It is most commonly used on cotton items. The treatment is normally based in fluorocarbons, which do not alter the handle and appearance of the textile. It is hypoallergenic, and does not harm the environment. The finish is also relatively resistant to washing and dry-cleaning After cleaning it can be revitalised by the effect of heat, e.g. ironing. Teflon is a registered trade mark / treatment within this category. Alucoatin Alucoating is a process used for more transparent curtains. A coating is applied that reflects heat rays and visible light to a varying degree depending on colour of the relevant textile. This helps to create a pleasant and healthy indoor climate inside buildings that are exposed to high levels of sunlight and heat. Importantly, this is a function that usually involves a high cost solution such as air-conditioning. Flame-retarding Products for public buildings often have to pass certain fire tests. Many textiles pass the relevant tests without any modification, whilst others need additional flame-retardant treatment. Different types of flame-retardant treatments are available such as Low Smoke Zirpro, a treatment developed by the International Wool Secretariat (IWS) to heighten the flame resistance of wool fibres. Another retardant is Flovan, which can be used on several different materials. In addition, a number of private label retardants are available for use on diverse types of material. The retardants are usually cleaning-proof, and some are even wash-proof. The above retardants are usually applied by dipping, but a flameretardant back-coating may be applied where appropriate. 49

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51 Flame-retarding flovan A flame-retardant based on nitrogen-containing s phosphoric acid salts. Flovan is water-soluble and is therefore only suitable for dry cleaning. Flame-retarding low smoke zirpro The International Wool Secretariat s (IWS) approved treatment, designed to achieve greater flame-resistance, can withstand laundering and dry-cleaning. Zirpro is an agent based on zirconium compounds and is not water-soluble. 51

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53 Tests and specification of requirements 53

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55 Abrasion resistance The most widely used method for determining abrasion resistance is the Martindale Method, since this has proved to be the most accurate. During Martindale testing a sample of the item to be tested is rubbed against a standard woollen fabric while a given weight-load is applied. The machine runs at intervals of 5,000 revolutions, continuing until two threads are worn. The abrasion value is one of the key factors to consider when choosing a fabric. The Clothing and Textile Centre of the Danish Technological Institute has prepared a classification chart stating the minimum abrasion resistance required for various types of application. 55

56 Areas of application In the home Rooms used occasionally Soft upholstery 10,000 revolutions Hard upholstery 15,000 revolutions Rooms used intensively Soft upholstery 15,000 revolutions Hard upholstery 25,000 revolutions Public areas and office environments Hotel and meeting rooms and hospital wards not used intensively Soft upholstery 10,000 revolutions Hard upholstery 15,000 revolutions Lounges in hospitals and nursing homes, Function rooms and student hostels Soft upholstery 15,000 revolutions Hard upholstery 25,000 revolutions Offices, staff rooms, meeting and lecture rooms, restaurants, canteens, cinemas, theatres and aircraft Soft upholstery 25,000 revolutions Hard upholstery 35,000 revolutions Trains, buses, passenger boats, hotel foyers, departure halls, cafeterias, schools and institutions for children and youths Soft upholstery 30,000 revolutions Hard upholstery 45,000 revolutions Furniture fabric classification: 2002 (5th revised edition) 56

57 Pilling Pilling is the term used to indicate whether a fabric piles. The test for pilling is carried out using the Martindale apparatus. The fabric is rubbed against the same standard fabric that is used in the abrasion test. However, there is no weight applied. Afterwards, the appearance of the item is compared with standard photos, designated 1 (worst) to 5 (best). Light fastness Light fastness relates to the ability of a textile to retain its colour under the influence of light. When testing for light fastness, the samples are illuminated using artificial daylight for a specified period. Together with the samples, a so-called blue scale is also illuminated. The blue scale consists of eight standard textiles of known light fastness. In the evaluation, the fading of the samples is compared with the fading on the blue scale. The evaluation scale ranges from 1 to 8, with 8 being the best value An increase of one point corresponds to a doubling of the light fastness, i.e. the same fading takes twice as long. Kvadrat s minimum requirement is 5, and we endeavour to ensure that all our materials fulfil this requirement. In some cases, however e.g. pastel colours and un-dyed items that can be difficult to achieve. Fastness to weathering Weathering fastness indicates the degree to which a given textile fades when exposed to outdoor weather conditions, i.e. the fabric is exposed to non-uv filtered artificial daylight. In addition, the fabric sample is alternately moistened and dried. The scale used for assessing the degree of fading is identical to that used for lightfastness. Minimum requirement for private decoration, note 4. Minimum requirement for public decoration, note 5. 57

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59 Fastness to rubbing Fastness to rubbing is a term for resistance to colour transfer onto other textiles. A distinction is made between wet and dry rubbing. Wet rubbing refers to the colour transfer that may occur when someone wearing slightly damp trousers, for example, sits on a piece of furniture. Colour transfer is evaluated by comparing the degree of transfer with a grey scale, and the degree of transfer is characterised using 1-5, where 5 is the best value. Fire tests There are differing requirements concerning the flame-retardance of furnishing fabrics and curtain materials. Individual countries have their own standards regarding the requirements to be met. As a rule, it is more a matter of general standards than statutory requirements. In addition, there are differences relating to whether textiles are for the home or for contract use. In the section to follow, we have described the most common regulations, but there may be special areas where other requirements apply. In addition, the local fire authority must generally approve the textiles to be used. This information is for guidance only. K 59

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61 Fire requirements 61

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63 Private sector furniture fabric Denmark, Germany No legal requirement, but we recommend: EN (cigarette test). Ignition source 0. Finland, Norway, Sweden Legal requirement: EN (cigarette test). Ignition source 0. The Netherlands The same requirements as the UK often apply. United Kingdom Legal requirement: BS 5852, Part 1 (cigarette + match test). Ignition source 0-1. Where an interliner is used, the cover is only required to pass the cigarette test, ignition source 0. This only applies, however, where the cover consists of a minimum of 75% cotton, linen, viscose, modal, silk or wool. France No legal requirement, but we recommend: EN /2 (cigarette + match test). This also applies to the office sector. Belgium / Spain The same requirements as France often apply. Switzerland No legal requirement, but we recommend: SN , Class 4.2. Austria No legal requirement. Italy No legal requirement, but we recommend: EN /2 (cigarette + match test). Ignition source 0-1. USA There are no general requirements. Cruise Ships IMO A.652 (16). The fabric is tested in combination with worst case foam. A pass or fail result is obtained. 63

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65 Contract sector furniture fabric Denmark No requirements, but we recommend: EN Norway Catering no requirement. The local fire authority may require: EN (cigarette test). Ignition source 0. Hotels, offices and hospitals no requirement. Sweden Hotels and catering legal requirement: same as the private sector. In some cases, the fire authorities may also require: EN (match test). Ignition source 1. Offices and hospitals no requirement. Finland Hotels and catering legal requirement: EN /2 (cigarette + match test). Ignition source 0-1. Offices and hospitals, no requirement. The Netherlands The same requirements as the UK often apply. United Kingdom Legal requirement: EN /2 (cigarette + match test). BS 5852, crib 5. Offices, BS 5852 Ignition source 2-5. France NF D / AM 18 has replaced NF P M2 EN /2 (cigarette + match test) often accepted for movable furniture. Belgium / Spain The same requirements as France often apply. Germany Catering legal requirement: DIN , part 1 (= EN , cigarette test). Cinemas if smoking is permitted upholstery must comply with DIN 4102 B1. Offices, no legal requirement, but we recommend: EN /2 or DIN 4102 B2. Hotels and Hospitals the local fire authority sets requirements, generally specifying DIN 4102, B2 or B1. Compliance with B1 is usually required for use in hospitals. Public places persons: DIN 4102 B1 (MV stätt V 33). Switzerland No legal requirement, but we recommend: SN , Class

66 Austria No legal requirement, but we recommend: ÖNORM 3800, Teil 1. ÖNORM Italy Legal requirement: UNI 9175, Class 1 IM. In addition, the combined totality of materials has to be tested. USA Some states have legal requirements, e.g. California Tech. Bulletin 133, which is required in high risk buildings, etc.; others are voluntary, e.g. Cal. Tech. Bulletins 116 and 117; elsewhere there are no requirements whatsoever. It is necessary to investigate the fire requirements individually for each project. Cruise Ships IMO A.652 (16). The fabric is tested in combination with worst case foam. A pass or fail result is obtained. 66

67 Contract sector curtains Denmark No requirement. Norway No known requirement. Sweden No known requirement. NT 043 may be required. BS 5867 may also be accepted. Finland No known requirement. The Netherlands The same requirements as the UK often apply. United Kingdom Legal requirement: BS 5867, Part 2. France NF P M1 or M2. Belgium / Spain The same requirements as France often apply. Germany DIN 4102 B1. Switzerland No legal requirement. The test applied to furniture fabrics is also applied to curtain materials. Austria No legal requirements, but we recommend: EN Italy Legal requirement: UNI 9177, Class 1. Cruise Ships Curtain materials IMO A.471(XII). The fabric is set alight in a vertical position. A pass or fail result is obtained. Wall and ceiling coverings IMO A.653(16). The fabric is subjected to radiated heat. A pass or fail result is obtained. 67

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69 Care and symbols 69

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71 Washing Y A washing bowl is used as the basic symbol for washing. F The number gives the highest washing temperature that the textile can tolerate. S Where the washing bowl is underlined, a delicates wash should be used. Delicates wash means a more gentle wash combined with a higher water level, which means that the textile is subjected to less creasing. The words half load and gentle spin will be shown in addition. G Where washing would damage the item, the basic symbol is crossed out, unless information regarding the risk is given in a supplementary text. Bleaching Z B A triangle is used as the basic symbol for bleaching in connection with washing. Where bleaching is possible, the chemical designation Cl for chlorine is given in the triangle. The basic symbol is crossed out where bleaching is to be avoided, since it would damage the item. Dry-cleaning T D H L A circle is used as the basic symbol for dry-cleaning. The letter in the circle indicates the dry cleaning fluid and dry-cleaning method to be used (information for the dry-cleaners). An underlining of the basic symbol means that the textile requires a gentle dry-cleaning process. If dry-cleaning will damage the item, the basic symbol is crossed out unless information regarding damage is given in supplementary text. 71

72 Drying V W X C A circle surrounded by a square is used as a basic symbol for drying in connection with laundering. Where all drying methods, i.e. tumble-drying, line-drying, Drip-drying and drying flat are possible, the symbol shows the maximum basic temperature for tumble-drying in the form of one or two dots. Where tumble-drying would damage the item irreparably, the basic symbol is crossed out. Finishing / ironing U E I J a An iron is used as the basic symbol for post washing treatment. The temperature is given by using one, two or three dots in the iron. Ironing with or without steam. Max 110 C (acrylic / acetate). Ironing with or without steam. Max 150 C (wool / polyester / viscose). Ironing with or without steam. Max 200 C (cotton / linen). Where finishing would damage the item, the basic symbol is crossed out. For more information 72

73 Maintenance upholstery fabric Regular cleaning is important in order to keep the upholstery textile looking its best and to prolong its life. Dust and dirt wear down the textile and also reduce its fire-retardant properties. Normal cleaning Vacuum frequently, ideally every week, at half power where appropriate. Wipe upholstery fabrics made from polyurethane with a dry or moist cloth. May also be vacuum cleaned with a soft brush. Stain removal If you act quickly, it is not difficult to remove spills and prevent stains from forming. However, we cannot guarantee complete stain removal. First, scrape off any liquids or hardened residues with a spoon or a scoop before you proceed. Any loose particles must be vacuum cleaned before further cleaning. Liquids must be soaked up with an absorbent napkin or cloth. Remove non-greasy stains by carefully dabbing with a lint-free cloth or sponge wrung out in warm water. Edge marks can be avoided by dabbing gently in circular motions towards the centre of the stain with a clean lint-free cloth. Remove greasy stains by using appropriate detergents or solvents. In all cases, we recommend to test stain-removal agents on an inconspicuous area first, to see if there is any effect on the cover. Make sure to dry the fabric fully before use. It may also be necessary to use a hairdryer to avoid leaving edge marks. This applies especially to microfibre textiles. These tips are purely recommendations and cannot guarantee complete stain removal. In all cases, we recommend contacting a professional cleaning institute. In order so ensure satisfactory results, particularly for large stains, we recommend to contact a professional washing company. It is important to state whether the stain has already undergone treatment. Due to excess dye in jeans, dark jeans may leave stains on textiles; washing and cleaning may not always lead to satisfying results. Stains from jeans on polyurethane products may be removable by using a rubber. 73

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75 warning Do not rub the material hard because this could result in loss of colour or potentially damage the nap. Be careful when using solvents; these could dissolve the upholstery materials beneath. Never use undiluted detergents or bleach, ammonia or soap intended for hard surfaces. Cleaning and impregnation It is usually recommended that upholstered furniture with normal commercial use should be cleaned 2-3 times a year. Upholsteries in private households usually need less frequent cleaning. Textiles made from cotton are often impregnated. However, the treatment is not permanent and can be worn off during usage or cleaning. We therefore suggest to re-impregnate the textile after cleaning. We do not recommend impregnation of woollen upholstery fabrics, as wool itself is dirt-repellent. Impregnation of fabrics made from 100% Trevira CS should be avoided since it decreases the fabric s permanent flame-retardant attributes. Regular maintenance and cleaning removes dirt before it settles in the fabric and damages the fibres. Appropriate maintenance and regular cleaning can prolong the textile s life cycle and reduce costs for renovation and repair, replacement and disposal. In order to ensure satisfying cleaning results, we recommend to contact a professional cleaning institute. Employing ph-neutral carbon dioxide solutions for cleaning is recommended because this method avoids the use of soap. A professional cleaning institute may also assist in working out maintenance schedules, which ensure that the fabrics are maintained properly so that a good indoor climate and a maximum duration of the upholsteries are achieved. Removable covers Removable covers made from Trevira CS can be machine washed at maximum 40/60ºC. Moreover, it is possible to wash certain cotton fabrics and microfibre textiles. More detailed information about temperature and shrinkage is available on our sample materials and on our website 75

76 Use washing detergent designated for coloured textiles and obey the dosage. Wash the fabric inside out and load only half on the machine. Spin dry the fabric with decreased speed. The covers should be dried while suspended and mounted or applied while still slightly damp in order to ease the process. We recommend to contact a professional washing institute for especially huge covers. Removable covers made from wool cannot be washed but should be dry cleaned. Not all covers with zippers are designed to be removable. Please ask the furniture manufacturer. 76

77 Maintenance of Trevira CS and Polyester FR curtains We recommend washing curtains once a year. If used heavily, a more frequent cleaning may be appropriate. All curtain fabrics by Kvadrat are supplied bearing all maintenance labels. Normal use private interiors, hotels, institutions Maximum 40ºC mild process - load as little as possible lowest spinning speed Hang drying Ironing may be necessary using medium temperature. Shrinkage is likely to be about 1% in the length provided that no other information is given on our sample material or on It is possible to wash the textile at higher temperatures. However, it is not necessary with normal use. Heavy use healthcare sector Maximum 60ºC mild process - load as little as possible lowest spinning speed Hang drying Ironing will typically be necessary for fabrics washed at 60ºC using medium temperature. Shrinkage is likely to be about 1% in the length provided that no other information is given on our sample material or on It is possible to disinfect the fabric at 60ºC by adding appropriate chemicals. Extreme use healthcare sector, hospitals It is possible to wash the curtains at 60ºC or higher in order to disinfect the textile. The national Serum Institute recommends the following: 10 minutes at 80ºC 3 minutes at 85ºC 1 minute at 90ºC We recommend to do test washings with curtains at your laundry since the processes of washing, drying and ironing can vary from laundry to laundry. Certain designs are only washable at 30ºC or 40ºC. 77

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79 The textile s appearance after washing depends on the washing method, temperature, amount of water used per amount of textiles, spinning and drying method. In order to reduce the risk of allergy problems, we recommend to use washing detergents that do not contain optical bleach, perfume or colorants. Our advice is recommendations only. For more detailed information, we recommend to contact a professional cleaning company. A professional cleaning institute may also assist in working out maintenance schedules which ensure that the fabrics are maintained properly so that a good indoor climate and a maximum duration of the curtains are achieved. 79

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81 Clouds maintenance Clouds are made of flameproof polyethylene foam pressed into shape with the selected upholstery fabric. Regular cleaning is important to maintain the appearance and prolong the life of the material. Dust and dirt wear the material and also reduce its fire-retardant properties. Normal cleaning Vacuum regularly. Dust can also be removed using a soft brush. Stains should be removed immediately. Most types of stains can be removed by carefully dabbing with a clean, lint-free cloth or sponge wrung out in warm water. Remove greasy stains by using appropriate detergents or solvents. In all cases, we recommend to test stain-removal agents on an inconspicuous area first, to see if there is any effect on the cover. WARNING! Do not rub the material hard because this could result in damage to the nap, if any. For large stains, individual Clouds can be sent for professional cleaning. One or more Clouds can also be replaced if cleaning is not possible. Warning: be careful when using solvents because these could dissolve the foam beneath. This cleaning guide is provided as a service only and should not be interpreted as a warranty. 81

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83 User guide for upholstery fabric Padding Padded furniture consists of a frame fitted with padding and upholstery fabric. The frame has a base system that can be produced in various ways. Make sure that the edges and corners of the frame in contact with the padding materials have been rounded to prevent them from cutting through the padding. We recommend fitting jersey between the foam and upholstery fabric to reduce wear. Interliner is required where velvet is used. This will also require a certain foam thickness. A distinction is made between firm and soft padding. Firm padding as seen on e.g. dining room chairs with relatively thin padding placed on a wood board, e.g. a seat of moulded veneer. This is also called a shell chair. The foam should have a certain thickness, usually more than 25 mm on the seat and 10 mm on the back rest, so that users will not feel the hard wood through the padding. This is also necessary to avoid wear through the upholstery fabric. Soft padding is often thicker, and the base system usually consists of springs or webbing. Upholstery fabric The purpose of upholstery fabric is to give padded furniture an attractive appearance and a hard-wearing surface. The upholstery fabric is available in several materials with specific properties. Cutting Cutting is important to the appearance of padded furniture. Symmetry, thread line and use of the textile are important. Moreover, different textiles are often cut in different sizes due to textile elasticity/stretch. In case of velvet, remember to consider the direction of the nap. For more information about processing of velour, see our website. 83

84 Sewing Stitch length and hem width must be adapted to the material used. The hem width must be at least 10 mm for ordinary, plainly woven textiles, but should be wider for looser textiles, as the hem may otherwise slip. Chenille articles should have hem widths of at least 25 mm. After being cut, the textile should be sewn with overlock stitching or other method to secure the edge of, in particular, loose textiles. Use a leather needle for microfiber and polyurethane (artificial leather). The stitch length should be at least 2-3 mm to prevent the material/ surface from breaking between the needle holes. Material choice When you choose upholstery fabric, you need to consider how the textile will be used, its expected life and the amount of care. You must also consider the shape of the furniture to make the right choice of textile. Some designs may not be suitable for all textile types. Generally, woven upholstery fabric offers the highest seating comfort as it breathes better. Use of wool Wool makes one of the best upholstery fabrics due to its numerous good properties such as great comfort, good resistance to wear and tear and non-flammable properties. Consequently, wool is suitable for all areas: offices, hotels, institutions, homes. The wool fibre is elastic, i.e. it will expand when you sit down and retract again when you stand up. The upholstery fabric will thus always be taut and neat. Moreover, wool has natural dirt repellent properties that keep the upholstery fabric neat for many years. The disadvantage of wool is that it may need to be dry-cleaned. Use of Trevira CS / synthetic textile Trevira CS is typically a hard-wearing and permanently non-flammable material and therefore suitable for many applications: offices, hotels, institutions, homes. However, Trevira CS /synthetic textile is not particularly suitable for hard padding, e.g. a shell chair, unless it is glued on. The reason is that 84

85 Trevira CS / synthetic textile is not as elastic as wool fibre, although it expands a bit when used. Trevira CS / synthetic textile is extremely suitable for detachable upholstery fabric as it can be washed at high temperatures. Trevira CS / synthetic textile is not affected by rot or mould and is therefore suitable for moist environments such as swimming pools, spas, etc. It is also suitable for outdoor areas. Obviously, the textile will fade, which is unavoidable, but the material will not be destroyed by the elements, such as e.g. natural fibres. In terms of non-flammable properties, a distinction needs to be made between Trevira CS and other synthetic textiles, as Trevira CS is permanently non-flammable, while other synthetic articles, e.g. ordinary polyester articles and microfibres do not have similar non-flammable properties. Use of cotton Cotton is most suitable for homes. Cotton may stretch after some use and is therefore not suitable on hard padding such as shell chairs unless it is glued on. If the upholstery fabric is washable, it will shrink back to size when washed. Cotton does not have dirt-repellent properties, so it should not be used in areas with much traffic and little maintenance (e.g. restaurants, etc.). Cotton is often treated with dirt repellent, but this does not stay on permanently. Some cotton articles can be washed; others can only be dry-cleaned. Use of PU articles PU articles are all produced by binding a thin layer of polyurethane into a woven, knitted or non-woven base article. The polyurethane layer will typically form a durable, hard-wearing surface able to withstand at least 100,000 attrition movements according to the Martindale method. However, this extremely hard-wearing surface does not mean that PU articles can be used for all furniture types or in all environments. Generally, PU articles can be used for soft padding and furniture where the fabric is protected by the frame in exposed areas such as corners, fronts and backs of seats or back rests. PU articles are therefore not recommended for shell chairs. 85

86 The surface may crack/peel off if the chair is insufficiently padded with foam on corners or edges. The same will happen if the article is glued, since the base article will be attached to the frame. This makes the PU surface inflexible and allows it to crack on impact, etc. This may be a problem in areas with massive traffic, e.g. airports where baggage / trolleys constantly bump into chairs. Remember to use a leather needle for sowing and a stitch length of at least 2-3 mm. PU articles are often elastic, which allows use on organic shapes. However, stiffer options are available that may be difficult to apply to padding. In this case, you can heat the fabric lightly with a hairdryer/fan heater that makes the fabric more flexible. You need to heat the fabric with caution and feel the fabric as you go along, as it must not be heated for too long. The fabric will stiffen again once it has been applied. Most PU articles can be wiped off with disinfectants, making them suitable for the healthcare sector. See guideline for care and maintenance on our website 86

87 Upholstery Instructions for Velvet Padding Position of the pile Velvets are woven in two ways: with an upright pile and a directional pile. With a directional pile in uni- or patterned velvet, reference is made to the nap. The nap The direction of the nap is determined as follows: With uni-velvets, run your hand back and forth across the pile surface; the smooth direction indicates the direction of the nap; With patterned velvets, the largest uni-colored area within the pattern indicates the direction of the nap. Velvets with a nap should be upholstered as follows On the back, seat, and side surfaces, with the nap directed downwards; On arm rests, with the nap directed from the outside in. Optimally a piece of furniture should be upholstered using fabric from the same roll problems with the direction of the nap are avoided. The nap on a turnover cushion is always problematic! The nap on the bottom of the cushion is opposite to the nap on the top. When in use and the cushion is flipped, the nap will run in the wrong direction: upwards rather than downwards. Protective fabric layer To minimize the wear and tear of velvet, a layer of synthetic or cotton wadding should be placed between the foam and the fabric. We advise: Vertical pile foam (HR-foam / cold foam) + synthetic or cotton wadding + cotton slipcover; Horizontal pile foam (HR-foam/cold foam) + synthetic or cotton wadding. White versus gray wadding Gray cotton wadding is made out of remnants of (colored) cotton. Moisture, such as water used during cleaning, may cause the wadding to bleed, leaving visible marks on the surface of the fabric. 87

88 With arm rests, do not upholster directly onto pre-formed synthetic surfaces. Use synthetic or cotton wadding as a protective layer. This helps to eliminate any sharp edges, which are vulnerable to wear and tear. Ensure that upholstered velvets always have a soft under layer. Piping Use only cotton piping cord, not synthetic. This will ensure there are no sharp edges, which are vulnerable to wear and tear. Always use the length of the fabric to make the piping! This ensures the best results and is less susceptible to wear and tear. Note: To protect velvets from wear and tear, the fabric should be cleaned regularly. 88

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91 Quality At Kvadrat, we began to describe our work procedures and objectives in the early 1990s. We were among the first in Denmark to collate all our processes into a quality management system, becoming certified to ISO 9001 in March With our quality management system, we were able to describe the work procedures used hitherto, and common sense became systematised. 91

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93 Environment Respect for the environment is paramount at Kvadrat. We are committed to preventing unnecessary use of resources, reducing pollution and ensuring excellent health and safety at work. Environmentally certified ISO in 1997, we consistently review our products and processes with the aim of minimising their environmental impact. To that end, we use the latest technology to enhance the quality of our products and reduce their impact on the environment. Products Kvadrat textiles have an extremely long life span, thanks to our policy of using only the finest quality raw materials, innovative production processes and timeless designs. All our textiles adhere to our strict quality and environmental guidelines whilst complying with the relevant legislation, regulations and standards. We also adhere to the strict limits set by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency s List of Undesirable Substances. The list is focused on the 68 most damaging and harmful substances on the EU commission s List of Hazardous Substances. We work closely with our partners to ensure that potentially damaging substances are never present in our products and processes. For example, in 1997, we stopped mothproofing our woollen products to protect workers involved in the process and to reduce contamination of waste water. We never use AZO dyes, which can split off into carcinogenic acrylamines. Dyes that contain heavy metals. Bromide flame-retardants. Chemicals that require chlorine for production. PVC in base production. Mothproofing for woollen products. 93

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95 EU Flower Ecolabel A number of our products have been recognised for their environmental credentials and, as a result, carry ecolabels. Bass, Canvas, Cava, Clara, Hallingdal, Molly, Perla, Polo, Remix, Steelcut, Steelcut Trio, Topas and Wooster have all been awarded the EU Flower ecolabel. This is only awarded after the product s complete life cycle has been evaluated and confirmed to be among the best on the market in its category. (The evaluation process covers the type of fibre used, the production process, the use of chemicals and quality control). The yarns of Trevira CS, one of our most popular materials, are certified to Oeko-Tex 100. It is our aim to earn many more eco-label awards in the future. 95

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97 Trevira CS 90% of Kvadrat curtains are made of Trevira CS. Made from top quality yarn, this unique type of polyester is durable and economical to maintain. Produced by Trevira GmbH, a company that is ISO certified, the yarns are hypoallergenic and are certified to Oeko-Tex 100 standard. Visit to find out more about Trevira CS. Wool We choose the wool that best fits the design, sourcing from New Zealand, Australia and Norway. Only biodegradable detergents and spinning-oil are used in the scouring and spinning processes. As far as possible, residual fibres are gathered and recycled in other industries. The coils from the coning process are also recycled along with the plastic bags the wool is delivered in. Cotton We use quality cotton from Africa, Greece and South America. The different types of waste from the manufacturing process are gathered, sorted and recycled, whenever possible, whilst dye and wastewater is drained to the local water treatment plant. To further protect the environment, spinning oil is never used. Our collection includes textiles made from both organic (grown naturally, without pesticides and fertilisers) and conventionally grown cotton. Our EU Flower winning Pure is made from the 100% organic cotton. Transportation All our forwarding agents must employ an environmental manager, have a written environmental policy and document environmental accounts. Trucks must use an EU3 engine (which produces minimal pollution and has low fuel consumption). Packaging At Kvadrat, we use a customised packaging machine that reduces the amount of plastic used. We only use recyclable plastic (within the limit for heavy metal content pursuant to 94/62/EEC), and we recycle packaging whenever possible. Our fabric arrives in cardboard boxes, which are recycled if they cannot be reused. Partners We build long-term relationships with our partner suppliers founded on a shared commitment to maximise quality and minimise environmental impact. Annually, we hold a seminar where, together, we explore new ways to achieve these goals. Every two years we undertake an environmental survey of our partners and re-approve contracts. All new contracts are accompanied by an environmentally focused code of conduct. 97