Frequently asked questions
For your peace of mind, Aquaclean fabrics offer a double guarantee of hygiene from the factory to your home:
On the one hand, the SAFE FRONT component protects against viruses and bacteria as standard, effectively reducing its activity. On the other hand, the Aquaclean component limits the penetration of viruses and bacteria into the fabric.
The joint formula of AQUACLEAN and SAFE FRONT, has been totally effective after multiple washes* and years of use. (*10 washing cycles have been tested at 30ºC, demonstrating its effectiveness).
All RUSTIKA AQUACLEAN collections have been protected with SAFE FRONT as standard since 1999.
From March 2019, all AQUACLEAN collections have incorporated the SAFE FRONT treatment.
Aquaclean / Safefront fabrics are currently certified in the following ISO standards:
- ISO 20743:2013 8.1. Reducing bacterial activity by 99.99% after 24 hours.
- ISO 18184:2019. For the determination of antiviral activity in textile products, demonstratingits effectiveness in more than 91% against Feline Coronavirus, an envelope virus very similar to COVID-19.
Download here the SAFE FRONT certificates: https://www.aquaclean.com/fabric-certificates/safefront
During the industrial process, fabrics go through high temperature washing and finishing processes where SAFE FRONT is applied. Thus, allowing the permanent hygiene of the fabric from its delivery, and during the upholstering of the sofa until it reaches the consumers.
SAFE FRONT is a powerful permanent barrier against external agents that is applied as standard in the fabric manufacturing process, so there is no need for external disinfecting or sanitizing agents. If you want to keep the sofa clean, you can vacuum it with a soft brush.
However, we understand that during the health crisis due to COVID-19 there may be circumstances in which you will be calmer performing disinfection.
You can use them using the following procedures:
- WITH ALCOHOL (recommended system):
- Spray a 70º alcohol solution on the sofa surface about 30 cm away. Any sanitary alcohol can do.
- Pass a dry cloth on the sofa spreading and absorbing the excess.
- Avoid the fabric getting soaked with alcohol.
Note: In both cases, avoid rubbing the surface in an aggressive way.
- WITH SOAP:
We do not prioritize this method because there are usually dry soap residues that affect the color and appearance of the fabric and possible odor.
- Spray a solution with 5% soap on the sofa surface about 30 cm away.
- Wipe with a damp cloth to dilute it, and avoid soap residue.
Note: In both cases, avoid rubbing the surface in an aggressive way.
- WITH BLEACH:
We do not recommend this method because it is difficult to control an excess concentration of bleach, which could cause discoloration of certain fabrics, and also because bleach leaves a strong characteristic odor. If for any reason you have used bleach, swipe over several times with a damp cloth to dilute the initial application, possibly avoiding the problems mentioned.
Bacteria reproduce constantly. However, viruses as they are inert beings, they are simply deposited on it and can be moved and activated by contact.
SAFE FRONT acts permanently on them in two ways:
- In bacteria, it limits their ability to reproduce and reduces their population.
Our ISO 20743:2013 8.1 certification was obtained demonstrating a reduction of the bacterial population of 99.9% in our fabrics after 24 hours. - In viruses it acts on the lipid barrier and in contact with water facilitates its solubility.
Our ISO 18184:2019 certification was obtained demonstrating a reduction of more than 91% in the virus population after 2 hours of continuous contac with them.
COVID19 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently not available for testing. However, SAFE FRONT has been tested against another strain of the same family under the ISO 18184:2019 test for determination of antiviral activity in textile products, demonstrating its efficacy in more than 91% against a similar type of coronavirus (Feline Coronavirus).
Virucidal activity tests are not performed with SARSCoV-2, causing the recent health alert, because the bodies accredited to carry out this test consider it unnecessary todemonstrate antiviral activity.
Part of the scientific community assumes that the same family of viruses, in this case coronavirus, presents a similar envelope and its sensitivity to disinfectants similar to SAFE FRONT should not vary substantially.
Talking about ANTI-COVID19 fabric is a very strong statement. Such statements must be supported by equally strong tests, which requires testing in humans as in the case of vaccines or medications and follow the procedures required by the protocols of the ministries of Health in each country.
Thus, in no case can ANTI-COVID19 fabric be spoken of, given that the population could believe that it is protected against infections of this nature.
In our case, we can affirm that SAFE FRONT prevents the spread and replication of similar coronaviruses by acting directly on its envelope, destroying it and inactivating the virus and maintaining an optimal level of hygiene on your sofa.
Liquid repellents are effective when a stain is on the surface because they block the entry of penetrating liquid for a few minutes. Once the stain has penetrated the fabric then most repellents cease to be effective and it then becomes difficult to clean the fabric completely due to debris that has already embedded into the fabric. This is a clear disadvantage for the removal of stains, oversights and neglected spots.
The aquaclean Technology not only acts as liquid repellents but also as a facilitator for cleaning. Allowing stains on the fabric to pass water through the fibres more easily, thus simplifying the cleaning process and facilitating the removal of the stain.
No. aquaclean contains no PFCs.
PFC (Perfluorocarbons) are artificial substances that have been used in the textile industry because they are efficient at repelling water, oils and grease and dirt in general.
But their production processes, cleaning and elimination at the end of their usable lifespan convert these compounds into a threat for human beings, as this type of substance can accumulate in living fabric and potentially cause cancer. They are also a hazard for the environment, because they are not biodegradable and have an extremely long lifespan.
In view of these drawbacks, the European Commission is now urgently drawing up a proposal to reduce the use of these compounds while listing them as hazardous substances which should no longer be used.
At aquaclean, we think it is our responsibility towards future generations to avoid the use of these substances and we strongly recommend that you do not use or come into contact with PFCs for both your health and that of your family.
No, that is not possible at present. You need upholstery that already includes aquaclean, as this treatment has to be applied during the industrial manufacturing process and bearing in mind the development process of the textile product itself.
Fabrics with aquaclean technology® have been certified with the Oeko-Tex® registered trademark, which guarantees the absence of harmful substances in fabrics and that the manufacturing process does respect the environment.
Traditionally, people use the vinegar trick to prevent lime stains, enhance colours and make the fabric softer. Vinegar does not affect the aquaclean treatment, but in any case most fabric softeners already contain anti-lime agents and an agreeable smell.
aquaclean can be washed in a washing machine, but check the product label in any case because different textiles require specific types of washing as regards temperature, ironing, etc.
Go to your nearest furniture store and ask for fabric using aquaclean. There is also a store finder on this web which you can use.
You can contact us using the “Contact” section of this website.
This is a physical effect that has to do with the surface tension of the liquid. It does not affect aquaclean technology® in any way, because it maintains its properties as a cleaning aid whether the fabric is wet or dry.
aquaclean technology® is just as effective however long the stain has been on the fabric.
aquaclean technology® is a cleaning facilitator, meaning most stains do come off using water only. If this is not the case, you can add a little neutral soap to the water and this will help to get the stain off.
aquaclean does not recommend alcohol or any other kind of solvent for cleaning textile fabrics. Alcohol and other solvents degrade the fibres and other components and negatively affect the useful life of upholstered furniture.
As long as you can clean stains locally thanks to aquaclean and you don't need to wash your slipcovers in the washing machine, you will be extending the life of your sofa fabric.
At present, we haven't found any kind of household stain that resists aquaclean! Sauces, shoe polish, hot or cold liquids, fizzy drinks, cakes... whatever. aquaclean has passed all laboratory tests with flying colours, even when faced with tough stains like permanent marker pens. Although it is true that in the toughest cases you may need to use a little soap diluted in water, or rub the stain with a bar of hand soap before cleaning with water.
Maybe. If you can't find aquaclean fabrics at your local furniture store you can use our Store Finder to search for one.
The fabrics we continue to make are all in our catalogue and on our website. If you can't find a given fabric there, that's because it has been discontinued and we no longer make it. Even so, you can still contact your furniture store and ask whether they still have it in stock.
Sofas always seem to get stained, especially if there are children or pets in the house. But for worry-free cleaning, we want to present you to our STAIN GALLERY, an area with demo videos showing how you can clean off all kinds of stains, from wine to ink, including blood, milk or soft drinks. These videos will help you to deal with any kind of normal, everyday stain, as long as your sofa fabric has been treated with our innovative Aquaclean® Technology.
