With proper care the following guidelines will help you extend the life of your upholstery.
Do’s
• Clean your chair using a mild dish soap and water solution (10% soap to 90% water) on a regular basis. Using a soft bristle brush gently scrub the vinyl to remove dirt in the pattern of the vinyl and rinse thoroughly with water. This should also remove residue left from your disinfectant that dries out and cracks the vinyl and will leave your chair looking cleaner.
Don’t
• Don’t spray disinfectant directly onto the chair. Spray onto a soft white cloth first. Over spray can get into and damage switches as well as deteriorate or discolour plastics and painted chair parts.
• Don’t allow excess disinfectant to pool or sit on the chair. Your cloth or wipe will always have more disinfectant on it at the start. Therefore the area you disinfect first will always get the most of it. This will cause that area to dry out before the rest of the chair (i.e. Headrest). Use a dry soft cloth to wipe off the excess disinfectant to reduce this problem.
• Don’t allow residue to stay on the chair. Many disinfectants especially non-alcohol ones can leave a residue. This residue if allowed to stay on the chair will eat away at the protective coating on the chair. The most common sign is a sticky feeling vinyl. Clean your chair with dish soap and water as mentioned above. Once the top coating is destroyed it cannot be repaired.
• Don’t allow people with Leather clothing to sit in your chair. Clothing dye can transfer to the vinyl and leather is the biggest culprit. Ask the patient to remove their jacket or place a towel over your chair to avoid this problem. Other types of clothing can also transfer dye and it is impossible to know which will cause a problem. Look for new clothes such as black jeans etc.
• Don’t use Ethanol, Hard Surface Disinfectants or Disinfectants with a high concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide. These products are far too harsh for the vinyl surface and will dry and discolour the surface prematurely. All disinfectants will deteriorate the vinyl so always be aware of how your disinfectant reacts with the vinyl and discontinue its use if you notice drastic changes in the feel and colour of your upholstery. There are too many disinfectants with a variety of chemicals to recommend one. If using alcohol, isopropyl is recommended as it will cause the least amount of damage. The person selling you the disinfectant should give you instructions and test results of the product.
Stain Removal
When it comes to stain removal please remember the quicker you remove the stain, the easier it will be. It is also important to remember the stronger the stain removal product, the higher the potential for permanent damage to the vinyl. You should always start at step 1 unless otherwise noted.
Step 1. Light soiling, the most common of problems:
A solution of household liquid dish soap with warm water (10% dish soap to 90% water) applied with a soft damp cloth or soft bristle brush. Gently scrub the vinyl, taking care not to scratch the surface of the vinyl and be sure to rinse thoroughly with water.
Step 2. Heavy soiling:
Using a soft white cloth use a 1:1 mixture with water and isopropyl alcohol and rub gently. If stain persists try again without water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water and dry.
Step 3. For more difficult stains follow these steps:
Dampen a soft white cloth with a solution of household bleach (sodium hypo chlorite) - 10% bleach to 90% water, and rub gently. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water and dry to remove bleach concentration.
If the stain still persists allow the diluted bleach solution mentioned above to puddle on the affected area or lay a bleach soaked cloth for thirty minutes over the stain. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water and dry to remove the bleach concentration.
Specific Stains Common to the Dental Office:
Blood - Rub out spot with a clean cloth soaked in cool water, if stain persists use step 2 or 3. DO NOT use hot water or soapsuds as this will set the stain.
Ink - Ink can permanently stain the vinyl. Promptly use straight isopropyl rubbing alcohol and rinse thoroughly with water. For large ink stains use step 3.
Grease, Oil, Lipstick, and Shoe Polish - Use a small quantity of mineral spirits and a soft cloth, rub gently taking care not to spread the stain. Goo Gone is also an excellent product for removing oil based stains.
Please review carefully: When using any cleaning agent, it is advisable to test first in an inconspicuous area. Other cleaning agents are not recommended for use. They may contain harsh or unknown solvents and are subject to formula changes without notice. These solvents may damage the plasticizers which keep the vinyl soft causing it to crack or discolor. Never use harsh solvents or cleaners intended for industrial application. We also recommend that you always use a clean, soft, white cloth to clean stained or soiled areas. Avoid the use of paper towels and never use abrasives such as steel wool or powdered abrasive cleaners. Never use ethanol alcohol or hard surface cleaners on vinyl upholstery.
*The above are guidelines only to assist you in maintaining your vinyl upholstery. Aerostatic cannot take responsibility for the use or misuse of the above recommendations.