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Question
I was given a small sturdy kitchen table with 2-chairs which were structurally sound, but had an accumulation of encrusted food and liquid (water and/or ?) damage. The table cleaned up nicely, but the upholstery and foam were nasty. I’ve tossed the material, but can’t find replacement foam locally. Although filthy, the foam seems firm and in good shape. Can I wash, sanitize and reuse the foam? If so, with what? OR… are there alternatives I could use for the foam padding that I may have (old blankets, mattress padding, etc)?
Hi,
All foam, by it's nature will turn to an ugly unsightly brown as it ages, so if the foam looks bad but is still firm and in good shape I would keep it in there, only if it has a horrible odor should you replace it.
It is not possible to wash foam, getting it wet will make it worse and start mildew.
You can purchase replacement foam from Foamorder.com they have a web site, or as you suggested you can use old blankets - an excellent choice, or mattress padding or even newspapers.
I hope this information helps.
Mark Miller
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Wow! What a blessing to have access to an expert's freely given advice!!! I'm of the generation where this was once "the norm" and sadly, it often no longer seems so. Being new to the internet, I've been lured down a few misleading paths and it is SO refreshing to find such a great site with kind, honorable, knowledgable folk. I live in a small mountain town, am on Social Security and have no vehicle....so I VERY much appreciate your help. I love the idea of paying it forward in whatever way we can and that what goes out eventually comes back as needed….. this site certainly supports this idea and that we are ultimately, in the bigger picture, a global family.....With Sincere Thanks, Merrie | ||
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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks
Answers by Expert:
Mark H. Miller
Expertise
custom furniture upholsterery. Became journeyman custom upholsterer in 1969. Certified by Upholsterers Intl. Union. Worked at San Francisco`s most prestigious upholstering shop as senior upholsterer. Am now president of Domar Upholstered Furniture Inc. Have upholstered for Presidents Reagan, Nixon, Clinton and the Queen of England. formerly taught classes in custom upholstering at the San Francisco Community College. Happy to answer all your upholstering questions.
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