Helpful hints and tips to stop fading, sunlight damage and dye transfer from dark or bright colours.
Light coloured fabric and leather sofas can be at risk from discolouration due to fading or dye transfer from dark or bright coloured clothing, scatter cushions or throws. This usually builds up over time but can also happen if damp clothing, wet towels or even printed newspapers are placed directly onto the furniture.
Dye transfer
Prevention is key where there is risk of dye transfer, as there is little that can be done to reduce the effects once it has occurred. If you have chosen light coloured upholstery, it is a good idea to make sure that any scatter cushions or throws placed on the sofa are colour fast.
Dark coloured clothing like jeans are often a major culprit of dye transfer onto your furniture - so it may be best to change into lighter coloured clothing before you settle onto your sofa for the evening. Another way to counteract this effect is to make sure you use your furniture evenly, regularly clean, rotate and flip cushions where possible.
Fading and sunlight
First things first, take a look at where you’ve decided your new sofa is going to live. Is it near a window? It’s important to bear in mind that direct sunlight can cause colour fading on your fabric or leather sofa. More delicate materials like velvet, chenille and aniline leather are particularly sensitive to light and this should be taken into account when you’re deciding where your new sofa is going to live.
If you’re worried that your sofa may be affected by sunlight streaming through your windows, it’s a good idea to keep your curtains or blinds drawn during the brightest part of the day. Another option is to invest in a throw to cover your furniture during any sunny spells. It’s really important to make sure any throw you use to cover your sofa is made from colourfast material in order to prevent the risk of dye transfer.
Important tip: To avoid water marks after cleaning we advise that you dampen a colourfast cloth with warm water and gently wipe the entire panel or cushion from seam to seam. This will help to prevent any water stains as the fabric dries.