Is there a product that’s safe to use to protect vintage upholstery? Janice recently found a pair of these lovely brushed-velveteen (?) Hollywood Regency chairs, and asks what to do to keep the mint-condition upholstery in great shape. Readers had such smart-sounding suggestions to the recent post about how to get smells out of vintage sofas and chairs that I thought I’d better put this question in front of them, too. Janice writes:
I just nabbed a pair of really cool vintage upholstered armchairs and the fabric is in incredible shape! I want to keep them that way – aside from not allowing my kids or cats on them, can you recommend a protector spray? Is plain old Scotchgard safe on vintage fabric? Thanks for any info! – Janice
Readers: Do you have some experience and advice for Janice?
I don’t have any first hand knowledge so I won’t give any suggestions.
I just wanted to say what a beautiful chair that is!
Sorry, I am a dud on that subject, but, I love the chair, the lamp, and the bookshelf. I love the colors in the room too.
No good suggestions from me, I am sorry to say. But, I am wondering if they stayed in this pristine condition by living inside of some plastic slipcovers? Could there be some real upside to something that has always confused me?
Wish I had some wisdom to offer, but sadly, no. I’ll be checking back because I have several pieces of upholstered vintage furniture I’d like to protect.
As for keeping the cats off it: that cow’s already out of the barn. I wonder why they particularly like the vintage fabric?
Over time, Scotchguard will “yellow” your fabric. I vote for plastic slipcovers instead.
Pretty chair, love the color of the fabric. You Scored!
The chemicals in scotchguard scare me- wonder how long they off-gas for?
Aside from basically treating them like a museum piece and or covering them with blankets when company isn’t around, I would use them, find a gentle upholstery cleaner and vacuum them regularly.
Also make sure you have good window coverings- the sun can fade fabric big time.
I am one for “living” vintage, so aside from not allowing food around them and cats off, I have no suggestions that would fully allow you to enjoy the chairs while keeping them original. Plastic slipcovers is all really, but then…sitting on them isn’t any enjoyment at all. Coloured ones would be another, but then you can’t see the chair. Hazard of vintage!! You can either carefully enjoy, risking that one day far down the line it may need reupholstering….or make your living room a museum.
I’d be wary of using scotchgard, both because the chemicals in it are a bit scary, but also because it might affect the nap of the fabric and the potential to discolour. Instead, I’d keep food and drinks away from them as well as kids and cats, place them in a part of your living room that doesn’t get direct sunlight and keep the blinds closed when you aren’t in the room. Keeping the light off will make a huge difference in how long they last.
Actually, they will probably be just fine without any protector. I am in the process of re-upholstering some vintage chairs (had to as the foam was crispy). After extensive research, I decided to use velvet for the new fabric as it is one of the most durable fabrics. My guess is that they were well used and weathered well since they are velvet. A little soap and water can be used to spot clean…
Hi Janice,
Great chairs! Great Lamp! LOVE the bookcase!
One of the best ways to protect vintage upholstery is to use Antimacassar sets – yep, good ole “chair doilies” or doily sets. These sets were originally developed to avoid macassar oil stains on furniture as it was a common hair dressing used by men in the Victorian/Edwardian eras. Even into the fifties, Antimacassar sets were still very popular, probably because of Bryl-Cream.
You can buy these readily on eBay – usually they are crocheted, and sometimes they are embroidered linen pieces. They are another really fun collectible, and they absolutely will protect the head area and arms of your chairs from general human oily skin/dirt that over time will start to make your upholstery look dirty. Especially with the high backs on these chairs, hair oil and hair products would be a concern. Ditto the comments on food, drink, pets, and kids
Ok, I added drinks and kids to the list!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimacassar
Here is a link to an eBay search for chair doilies (most don’t know the term Antimacassar), lots of great inexpensive options!
Hope this helps
Tami
Oops,
Forgot the eBay link!
http://tinyurl.com/25zufdy
Sorry, no specific suggestions, but brings to mind my own current quest…
After years of scoffing at the old fitted clear vinyl slipcovers, I wish now I could find them. After living in the extremely dusty and hot (which means sweaty) desert, and having pets that shed so much I wonder if they are trying to clone themselves… I see the value of grandma’s plastic covered living room. No one seems to make these anymore, and I am left contemplating buying my own heavy gauge cleat vinyl and taking it and my furniture down to the upholstery shop to have some made. On the plus side, clear vinyl slips are period correct… and the prospect of sitting on them does not bother me anymore than sitting on my leatherette Heritage chair. So it’s a thought. Has anyone else looked for these things and had better luck?
jr, i googled it earlier this afternoon – there appears to be someone in detroit area making these…. i googled ‘plastic slipcovers’
Great chair. Marie Barone kept popping in my head while I was reading the above comments.
http://i.cdn.turner.com/v5cache/TBS/Images/Dynamic/i10/raymond_marie_240x260_052820041524.jpg
Love the chair, and the lamp. I second the anti-macassar suggestion. My grandmother had these on all her upholstered furniture. She made them herself, too.
Another thing I would suggest is not plastic slip-covers but cotton or linen ones, at least part of the year. I don’t know if they’re a mid-century thing, but you can take them off and throw them in the washer, and change them out when you get tired or the color.
Or, just live with them the way they are and if they get damaged have them re-covered.
Beautiful chair! I say just use them and enjoy them and then have them recovered one day in a similar fabric if they get too worn. I also think that Scotchgard will give unpleasant results – especially on that light, fluffy velvet. I think that the pure joy of enjoying the chairs as intended with no meddlesome plastic covers will be enough to make it worthwhile if they need to be recovered down the road. Just keep the pets off if you can and enjoy the chairs for what they are – chairs. : ) The day that I decided to take the big blanket off of our pristine vintage couch was one of the happiest days of my life because we can now walk past it and see it’s beauty and sit on it just as it was intended. We know in the back of our minds that one day, we might have to have it recovered…but maybe not. It’s worth the gamble. Congrats on the gorgeous chairs!
In Seattle there are a couple places that specialize in the care and restoration of vintage fabrics. Mostly they deal with clothing–vintage dresses, coats, etc., but they might have some ideas. There may be places like that in your area. Or you could check with an upholstery shop, or even a quality dry cleaner. Maybe even something like a professional cleaning service like COIT (again, Seattle area). The chair doesn’t look like it needs to be cleaned but they probably deal with similar questions.
Use them, live in them and love them. They are here to serve YOU not the other way around! I would not Scotchguard them as you do not know how they were treated previously and I have experienced a mottling when Scotchguard is used over other products or stains that were previously unnoticeable.
Plastic slipcovers can cause the foam to rot quicker, so I would also forgo those. Besides, when you sit in them the touch of that lovely green velvet will transport you back to their days of glory!
Beautiful chairs and good for you for snagging them!
I agree with Alice, wonderful things should be used and not treated like museum pieces. We have vintage Gilbert Rohde furniture all through the house, and other than watching out for kids crashing their Hot Wheels all over the tops of table, you really just have to use and enjoy them, taking of course a sensible amount of care.
The key for any upholstered furniture is to make sure it’s vacuumed carefully and regularly, as any liquid that meets it will leave a ring otherwise.
Eventually these will need reupholstery, and that isn’t wildly expensive.
I don’t think plastic or linen or any covering is the best. Just enjoy them!
I bet you can find someone in Youngstown OH are that makes custom plastic sofa covers. I personally know of two women that have them on their formal living room furniture.
I agree that you should probably just enjoy them!
I agree with using them as is and cleaning them regularly by vacuuming and spot treating any visible dirt. I actually took a college course in textiles many years ago while studying interrior design and regular, gentle cleaning ( vacuuming) was stressed as important for fiber . I would aviod any chemical treatment at all because it could break down the fibers. Carpet shampooers usually come with an upholstery attachment, but avoid soaking it too much. I have a great vintage sofa and I clean the surface with a solid upholstery granual type thing that u shake on and leave, then vacuume up. I am amazed at how well this works, esp with repeated applications over time, especially where danky smells are concerned. last but not least, 20 muleteam borax in a solution with water will get out smells. if u dont have a carpet suction type shampooer, a shop vac will suck a lot of water out of upholstery. I do it on a hot summer day outdoors for quick drying, which is essential.
Enjoy your chair and when it’s time, redo the fabric. I just got my fav vintage velvety chairs back from the rehupulsterer. I chose a Schumacher velvet (purchased on ebay) becauase it looked and felt fabulous. They turned out great! My chairs are good furniture (in contrast to say, my Ikea disposable pieces). They’re built beautifully and meant to last a lifetime. From looking at it, I suspect yours is too.
I have waited and waited to get my stuff reupholstered. I have told myself, “well, maybe some day I won’t have pets. Maybe some day I won’t eat…” Fat chance on either possibilities. So, I am embracing my polish-American roots and getting everything covered in plastic. The most adorable man came over last night to my home in Chicago and gave me an amazingly low estimate for new fabric and plastic. I can’t wait until it’s finished. Yes, I have received lip from both my mother and my mother-in-law as they are both horrified. However, I know with amazing certainty, that my husband will spill cereal and my cat will puke on something sooner rather than later. And until someone is volunteering to come over with an upholstery cleaning machine every week, they can keep their opinions. VIVA LA PLASTIC!
P.S. In Chicago, I called Sam at A Cover Factory- (773) 774-4444. I would love you forever if you used them and told them I sent ya….
P.P.S All plugs aside, my estimate was shockingly low. Shockingly. He likes to do things in bulk, which is why I got such a low price!
Vive le Antimacassars! Doilies and small throws strategically placed have done the trick for me. I had a cat that wouldn’t scratch an upholstered sofa arm when covered with a hanky!
I’ve also used clear vinyl over fabric on some seat cushions when comfort was not too much of an issue.
But yeah, I have some vintage moire pink satin Bergere chairs that I need to make alternate cushion covers for so the originals aren’t ruined by kitty napping. In the meantime they have jaunty fabric just tucked in around the cushion.
Also: washable slipcovers are your friends.
Best of luck, gorgeous chairs!