GABBY NAHUM GROUP B: OUTDOOR FURNISHINGS- OUTDOOR FABRICS

GROUP B: OUTDOOR FURNISHINGS

CATEGORY: OUTDOOR FABRICS

WHAT’S ON THE LABEL?

All labeling of upholstery is voluntary except the label attached to the cushion indicating materials used inside the upholstery item. This label, found just under the cushion, is headed with the words “do not remove under penalty of law.” Listed on this label are the padding materials used inside, which are usually cotton batting, polyurethane or urethane, and polyester batting. The cotton batting is used to cover the upholstery frame, the polyurethane and urethane foam are used for the cushioning, and the polyester batting is used to wrap the urethane cushion. This label also includes the kinds of materials used for the back cushion, which are urethane, polyurethane, or fiber-fill. This mandatory labeling provides you with little information, because varying qualities of materials may use the same term. Additional labeling, which is voluntary, may provide consumer information concerning fabric testing, flammability, care, and fabric grade

Fabric Testing Labeling. 

This type of labeling was initiated by National Association of Furniture Manufacturers. Members that conform to the association’s construction and warranty guidelines are licensed to display a “Seal of Integrity” insignia: two bronze interlocking circles bearing the license number of the manufacturer. The fabrics displaying this insignia are run through 15 tests for quality including colorfastness, pilling, yarn slippage, surface abrasion, wear, color transfer, and tear strength. Fabrics are then categorized according to durability: heavy duty, medium duty, light duty, and delicate. Participating manufacturers include the durability ratings on fabric swatches and product tags, which are:

hhh (green color code) means heavy duty and is suitable for normal use by an active family with children.

mmm (blue color code) means medium duty and is suitable for use by adults in a household where the furniture is not in constant use.

lll (yellow color code) means light duty and is suitable for use in an adult household where furniture is selected for its aesthetic value rather than for its performance characteristics.

ddd (red color code) means delicate and is suitable for use in an adult householdwhere furniture is decorative and seldom used.

Care Labeling. 

The furniture industry has adopted a voluntary standard care-labcl coding, which indicates the proper cleaning method for a particular fabric. This code may be printed on a label under seat cushions, on hand tags, or on fabric samples.

W means that the upholstery should be cleaned only with water-based cleaning agents or foam.solvents.soil.

S means that the upholstery should be cleaned only with water-free dry-cleaning 

W-S means that the upholstery should be cleaned with either of the above methods.

X means that the upholstery should only be vacuumed or brushed lightly to remove