Fabric code for cleaning?

[Kosm1o]

We own a 2005 Safari 28 with a blue and biege upholstry. The manual gives general guidelines for cleaning using three different "codes". My question is where do I find these codes?

[idmtman]

I wondered the same thing myself. I have a 2006 28' with the same color scheme. I've read the owner's manual but have never found any codes.

[dznf0g]

Maybe go and ask a professional cleaner? I have no clue what a cleaning "code" is.

[Kosm1o]

OK. Just got off the phone with Airstream customer service. They say that the upholstery I have is Beach Club. The code for that is "S" which means no water based cleaning. Also stated in the manual is that we should not remove the cushions. So, Stanley Steamer and Chem dry are out. The local dry cleaner is out. Any suggestons?

[Silver Otter]

I'm lurking here to learn the suggestions as well. Want to clean before winterizing.

[Kosm1o]

We found a company {Hagopian} in the area that does real on the site dry cleaning. They are coming Thursday so I will post the results.

[reinergirl]

When you buy upholstery fabric from a swatch it has one of 4 cleaning codes Fabric care and cleaning codes These are standard in the industry.

Sometimes upholstery will have a tag sewn in but not always. If you know the manufacturer and name of the fabric you probably can find it online. If you do decide to use dry cleaning solvent PLEASE make sure you have plenty of air movement and air out the trailer after. The fumes are really toxic.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, we just decided to clean our curtains on our 2005 Safari. My owners manual states that they are dry clean only. The local dry cleaner took one look at my curtains, especially the elastic straps with the plastic guides, and said they would not do them. My wife put them in our washing machine on a very gentle cycle and washed them. They came out great, but removing them and re-installing them is quite a job.

[Kosm1o]

Is it just me or does anyone else find it a little goofey that Airstream uses dry clean ony fabric on cushions and curtains in a travel trailer? If there is any place one expects to get dirty it is at a campground. Kids, pets, rain, etc., = dirt in trailer. My expensive high quality sofas and chairs in my house are code "W" and Stanley Steemer does a great job on them. Would love to try them but they wouldn't even try. Liability I suppose.

[idmtman]

I decided to email Airstream Customer Support and ask what the "code" was for our 06 Safari LS. Here is their exact reply:

"The fabiric (sic) codes have pretty much been eliminated. I would suggest dry cleaning."

So, apparently they existed in 2006 but no longer. My says it sounds like they are playing it safe. I look forward to a follow up report from Kosm1o.

[Kosm1o]

O.K. so here is what happened. Hagopian, a regional carpet and upholstery cleaner, came out Thursday to dry clean the sofa and dinette cushions. They said it would be no problem to use the water base material (which they prefer because they say it does a better job) because it only lightly wets the fabric and not the cushion. Also important is that it is necessary to be uniform in its application. In other words, one can't spot clean an area. It's the whole area or you get water spots. Made sense so I said o.k. The result? I give them a C- . Nothing was harmed but it was only a little better than when they started and in some areas there was some streaking. So, today, after a 24 hour drying period, I tackled some of the worse areas myself using a product called "Resolve" . I have used the carpet formulation with good success so I tried the upholstery formula. First I lightly brushed and then vacuumed the entire areas. This made things a little better. Then I used the Resolve, spraying it evenly and lightly over an entire area. Then I used my small shop vac to "work" the solution out of the fabric. This really worked nicely. The fabric dries quickly and I was able to get out more stains than the pro's. It also worked great on the carpet on the walls. I plan to take the worst of the cushions inside the house and work them one more time and I think that will do it.
Incidentally, the Hagopian guys say that even when the "codes" are on the fabric, they are not reliable, for what that is worth. Certainly, Airstream should do a better job providing reliable information here. I am sure they don't make these cushions and furnishings, but someone does. How hard is it to have a supplier provide the recommended information and attach it to the cushions? I think it is the law on sofas and everyone I own has a tag with that code on it. Hope that information is helpful.

[Phrunes]

10 years ago I bought a bissel spot bot...i've had no luck with home carpet cleaners in the past, but I love that little thing! It just plain works.

[CanoeStream]

This post by Gene -- a former very active dealer/member at the now ex-Airstream dealer, Airstream of Arkansas: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f206...ins-32928.html

Take things to get dry cleaned and I've heard that the business often will make their own independent decision to launder in water. I'm not surprised a business might hesitate to dry clean the elastic & plastic slides. My off-white OEM Safari curtains are getting pretty soiled and will receive a gentle water wash in the coming off season in accordance with instructions in the post above.