Creative Colors International Reveals Cost-Effective Solutions to Preserve Furnishings and Customer Health

The most important time to impress a customer is when they walk in the front door. Furniture is the first thing people see when they enter a room, so having dirty, damaged, or discolored seating can be detrimental to business owners as it reflects negatively on their operations and can quickly repel customers. While it’s important that furniture looks good, it can also be a major breeding ground for germs and bacteria, especially when not cared for properly. With cold and flu season approaching, along with the fact that 80 percent of all infections are spread by hand contact with contaminated surfaces, it’s essential for business owners to be educated on proper cleaning and preservation techniques so they can maintain a healthy environment, reduce the spread of germs and prolong the life of their furniture.

While cleanliness and sanitation is a priority for most business owners, many don’t realize the impact that worn or damaged furniture can have on the health of their customers and employees. Many people mistakenly believe that damaged seating is impossible to fix and will spend thousands of dollars replacing it; however, furniture repair is a cost-effective alternative that provides long-lasting protection for surfaces from surface damaging bacteria, viruses, fungi and mold that can be a source of cross-contamination and lead to illness. Creative Colors International (CCI) – the leader in affordable on-site repair, reconditioning, cleaning, protection, and dyeing of leather, vinyl, plastic and fabric – helps business owners keep their businesses healthy as their services reduce the amount of germs at a time when people are most susceptible to illness.

“With all the other costs involved in running a business, the last thing business owners should have to worry about is replacing worn or lightly damaged furniture,” said Mark J. Bollman, President of CCI. “Taking the time to clean and protect furniture will help business owners maximize their investment while proactively protecting surfaces from germs and bacteria that are inevitable in any commercial setting.”

The team of experts at CCI recommends the following techniques to enhance and prolong the life and health of furniture.

LEATHER

• Cleaning: All leather needs to be wet dusted routinely to minimize the accumulation of dirt, dust and germs. Wet dusting is the simple process of taking a white cloth towel, immersing it in warm, clean water, wringing out as much water as possible, and wiping down the leather material. To remove stains, wash gently using a homemade solution of 10 parts water to one part ivory liquid dish soap. Allow wet or damp leather to air dry naturally, away from any source of heat.

• Maintenance: To help protect leather from drying out and cracking in a dry environment, regularly apply a small amount of natural leather conditioner to help restore its flexibility. Avoid using waxes, silicone products or other leather preparations that contain alcohol or petroleum distillates, such as Windex, Fantastic, turpentine and mineral spirits. For best protection, avoid using too much wax or oil, as it can clog pores and cause leather to lose its ability to let air in and moisture out.

VINYL

• Cleaning: Vinyl can easily be cleaned with water and a few drops of ivory dish soap. If this does not remove the spill, wipe the area with baking soda on a damp rag then rinse with dishwashing detergent. Baking soda is gentler on vinyl than oil-based cleaners, which will cause the vinyl to harden. It’s important to completely dry the area after cleaning. If an excessive amount of water is left on too long, it could soak through and damage the vinyl.

• Maintenance: Routinely caring for vinyl will increase it’s longevity and durability. While it’s a fairly easy substrate to maintain, vinyl can be damaged by sunlight, harsh chemicals and prolonged exposure to water. To avoid damage from water or other liquids, make sure water, drinks or spills are wiped up and dried off quickly. Many types of vinyl furniture, such as metal or wood chairs with vinyl seats, can be recovered from most damage for a fraction of replacement costs.

For more information on CCI and the services offered nationwide, visit www.wecanfixthat.com.

About Creative Colors International

Launched in 1991, the Creative Colors International (CCI) franchise system was created through its affiliate, J&J’s Creative Colors, the original industry leader in refurbishment techniques and systems. J&J’s Creative Colors was founded in 1980 by Jim and JoAnn Foster. Today, both companies continue to be family-owned and operated by the second generation Foster family. Catering to the abundance of upholstered items in every home, business and vehicle, CCI is the ultimate in on-site repair, restoration, cleaning, protection, and dyeing of leather, vinyl, plastic and fabric. Through proprietary technology, CCI restores damaged seats at a fraction of replacement costs, saving customers up to 90 percent.