Fabric Care

Tinsmiths Natural fabrics are predominantly made from 100% natural fibres, with no added resins or chemical treatments. This means that when cleaning they require a little more care than manmade fibres. These fabrics can be sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature. Natural fabrics can shrink when washed. Dry cleaning can also cause shrinkage. Allow enough extra material to take these factors into account. Natural fabrics can have occasional ‘slubs’ in the weave and these are not faults but part of the charm of a natural product.

Colour Variations

Small variations in colour are unavoidable between production batches. We cannot guarantee current production will match previous orders or original samples. Please check that the colours of your fabric are acceptable and consistent before cutting the cloth.

Sun Fading

All fabrics fade. Face not to be exposed to direct sunlight. All curtains must be lined. We recommend the use of blackout linings on curtains to protect upholstery from sunlight.

Loose Covers

If using a washable fabric: to minimise the risk of shrinkage, wash fabric before making up, including any lining for the skirt and always ensure that piping cord is pre-shrunk. If using a dry clean only fabric make the cover 5% bigger to allow for shrinkage during the dry cleaning process.

Tight Upholstery

We strongly recommend that new upholstery should be treated with a stain protector.

Curtains/Valences/bedspreads etc.

Add extra length onto any finished measurement to allow for any ‘rising’ – see approx. shrinkages below.

Flame Retardancy

Your upholsterer should use a flame retardant barrier cloth. Alternatively we can arrange for special treatments, such as a flame retardant backcoating to conform to BS5852 source 1. There is an additional charge for this service.

Washing

Loose Covers made in washable fabrics

Use a cool wash (30°c max) on a short cycle, finishing with a short spin. Do not tumble dry. Shake out thoroughly, then ease covers back onto to furniture when slightly damp. This will allow you to stretch them back into the correct shape & size.

Unlined Curtains

Unlined curtains can be washed (follow the instructions for loose covers above) but undo the hem first. With lined curtains it is better to separate the lining from the main fabric at the sides and hem, as the two may shrink at different rates.

Interlined and blackout lined curtains

DO NOT WASH. Hand made interlined curtains can only be dry cleaned by a curtain specialist.

When washing Tinsmiths fabrics, use a powder/liquid that has no bleach or optical whiteners, wash at 30°c and do not tumble dry.

Approx Shrinkages

UK/EU pre-shrunk cottons 3-5%
Linen Unions 5-10% (DRY CLEAN ONLY)
Heavy Linens 5-8% (DRY CLEAN ONLY)
Light weight Linens 3-6%