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Removing soiling fr...
 

Removing soiling from fabric.  

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Joshua F (USA)
(@joshua-f-usa)
Prominent Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 167
27/10/2012 9:04 am  

Hi everyone,
I was curious about the best way to remove typical soiling from the armrests of some Girard "Miller stripe" covered shells.
The soiling is not that bad, but if there is a safe way to try, I would love to hear about it.
Thanks in advance
Josh


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tktoo
(@tktoo)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2275
27/10/2012 8:26 pm  

Don't rub it!
Make a weak solution of mild detergent/surfactant and distilled or filtered lukewarm water. I like Orvus W.A. if you can find some. A dog-groomer might give you a tablespoon or two. That's more than you need.
Rinse out and wring a new cellulose sponge repeatedly until it stops making suds.
Use the sponge to agitate and make foamy suds in the detergent solution.
Dab at the stained area with the suds, pressing and releasing gently. Again, avoid the urge to rub it!
Blot area with a clean, dry cotton towel using the same gentle but firm dabbing technique. Try to use an old loop-napped towel that's not too linty.
Repeat process as necessary.
Rinse the area a few times with as little clean water as possible using the same technique.
Allow to air-dry.


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ZooMob
(@zoomob)
Honorable Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 134
27/10/2012 10:11 pm  

On that chair, I might not...
On that chair, I might not even bother. One great solution I've found for heavily soiled chairs, particularly hopsack aluminum group chairs is to take them to the do-it-yourself carwash, soak the hell out of them with simple green, and powerwash them. It sounds like a caveman approach, but works beautifuuly, and in no way damages the chair. Got a pic of the whole chair you're cleaning? It looks pretty cool.


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tktoo
(@tktoo)
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Posts: 2275
27/10/2012 10:30 pm  

That might work just as well or better, Zoo!
Thanks for the chuckles!


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Joshua F (USA)
(@joshua-f-usa)
Prominent Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 167
27/10/2012 11:00 pm  

Heh
Thanks guys. I think I am going with the first solution 😉
Here is a pick of the chair btw. It is a later chair from 72' but I love the colors.
There is more than one, and they all have the slight soiling to the arms, which is to be expected, but I will try this on one of them, an see how it works, I am in no rush, so taking my time with it. But these will eventually be my "dining room" chairs. ( live in a loft, so no real rooms to speak of 😉 )


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ZooMob
(@zoomob)
Honorable Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 134
27/10/2012 11:30 pm  

Those chairs are stunners....
Those chairs are stunners. Quick tip on the bases; get one of the Mother's Powercone tools for a cordless drill and some of their polish that comes in the white tub, and they will gleam with minimal work.
Once again, great chairs!
http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-05146-PowerCone-Polishing-Tool/dp/B001MXTOKQ


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Joshua F (USA)
(@joshua-f-usa)
Prominent Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 167
27/10/2012 11:42 pm  

thanks for the tip
I will do that. I have some other Aluminum group bases I can try that on too, as I have that Kelly Green armshell I restored not long ago.
Yeah I fell in love with these as soon as I saw them. Now all I need is this jacket to sit in them.
;-D


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Mark
 Mark
(@mark)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 4586
28/10/2012 12:07 am  

I would trade my youngest sister, and my refrigerator for that jacket.
Oh my god!
ps I like clothes much better than MCM furniture...shhhhhhhh.


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Joshua F (USA)
(@joshua-f-usa)
Prominent Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 167
28/10/2012 2:51 am  

Ha
Yeah it is a pretty great jacket. Only 5 made for some architects who custom ordered them in 1976.
But It gives me an idea to have one made at some point. I travel to Vietnam every 3 months for work, and if i got the right fabric, this could be done 😉


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Mark
 Mark
(@mark)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 4586
28/10/2012 2:58 am  

Excellent!
I'll empty the refrigerator and gift wrap my sister.
Sincerely,
Mark


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Joshua F (USA)
(@joshua-f-usa)
Prominent Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 167
28/10/2012 11:29 am  

@tktoo I bought a small...
@tktoo I bought a small bottle of Orvus paste from a pet supply place on Amazon for 22 bucks. I will probably have use for it in the future so it seemed like a no brainer.
Thanks for the tip! I will let you guys know how it works out.
@Mark, if I do get a jacket made, I will let you know. 😉


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Spanky
(@spanky)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 4376
28/10/2012 3:49 pm  

I like
Dawn dishwashing detergent, the stuff they use for stripping oil off sea birds that were caught in oil spills. It's actually quite mild, just be sure to get the version that is clear as the blue one has a dye that can stain. It's the only thing I've found that can get oily stains out of laundry, even after they have been baked in the dryer. Not that your chair has been in a dryer, but the stains have had some time to set. Try it with tktoo's method, though I get the suds worked up by shaking some detergent in a little bit of water in a closed plastic container. I think you can also use a clean white washcloth rather than a sponge. Some cellulose sponges can shed tiny bits that you don't want to work into your fabric.


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tktoo
(@tktoo)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2275
28/10/2012 5:24 pm  

Joshua, I bought a gallon in 1982
for about the same price and have used maybe a cupful since.
I tend to go all museum conservation-y with these things, but that's my nature and training. I'd rather try the safest methods first and escalate from there if necessary.
Truth be told, zoo's caveman method, extreme as it sounds, would probably work just fine and spanky's suggestion of Dawn dishwashing detergent is a good one, too, if you need to take things up a notch... or ten!
Great chairs, BTW. They look to be in fantastic condition. Keep 'em out of the sun!
Bon Chance!


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Joshua F (USA)
(@joshua-f-usa)
Prominent Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 167
28/10/2012 9:01 pm  

Does anyone know if any...
Does anyone know if any companies make "daytime" slip covers for shell chairs? I know it sounds silly but with having cats and sunlight it almost seems smart to have something to protect them snugly. I would think there would be a niche market for those neurotic collectors while away at work or on vacation. :-).
If not I can just make them .


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Mark
 Mark
(@mark)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 4586
28/10/2012 9:17 pm  

oh my goodness....
Joshua, darling...I'm trying to be diplomatic, as always. But only grandmother's of a certain age use slipcovers over their Eames chairs.. Perhaps investing in some window treatment's(ie blinds, shudders, window film, etc) would solve half of the problem. As far as the kitties (do they have claws in front??),if not, just have your housekeeper come twice per week....or something. I wouldn't begin to suggest on this forum having your cat's front claws removed. Thankfully, Mr. Chopper arrived sans-claws. Work it out gracefully.
Just an afternoon thought. Drinks are on me.
Best,
Mark
(edited to add a picture of my boy...I'm so proud)!!!


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