Since 1902

Charles Edward Gerken and John R. Galpin became partners and founded Galpin & Gerken, an upholstery company specializing in repairing and reupholstering furniture. The company was located on Washington Street in Toledo, Ohio.

OWNING & CARING FOR FURNITURE

Just like a fine article of clothing, upholstered furniture needs proper cleaning and care on a regular basis.

FREQUENT VACUUMING

Upholstered furniture should be vacuumed once a month to remove the dust and dirt which damage fabric fibers and cause premature wear.

 

FLUFF PILLOWS & ROTATE CUSHIONS

Our upholstered furniture is made to be soft and comform to the user's body with use. Often it will not return to its original shape after use unless the cushions and black pillows are plumped by hand. Be sure to hand fluff pillows and cushions to maintain their shape. This becomes more necessary as the upholstered furniture ages through repeated use.

 

Seat cushions should be rotated once a week to distribute normal wear to both sides of the cusion.

LEATHER CARE

Different leathers have their own distinct care characteristics. The most important step you can take to protect your investment is to avoid direct sunlight and heating/cooling sources.

 

Leather is a natural product that is very durable and beautiful. Leather upholstery should be dusted occasionally with a lint-free cloth. Blot spills immediately with distilled water and a soft cotton cloth.

CLEANING CODES

A : Dust with soft cloth only. For spots and spills, blot excess liquid and let air dry. For oil and grease, absorb excess with dry cloth and leave alone. Avoid cleaning solutions, saddle soap, polish and wax which could damage finish. Protect from direct heat and sunlight.

C : Dust, clean with soft cloth slightly dampened with distilled water. For spots and spills, blot excess liquid and let air dry. For oil and grease, absorb excess with dry cloth and leave alone. Avoid cleaning solutions, saddle soap, polish and wax which could damage finish. Protect from direct heat and sunlight.

D : Dust, wipe with mild soap and water only, and then buff with dry cloth. For spots and spills, blot excess liquid and let air dry. For oil and grease, absorb excess with dry cloth and leave alone. Avoid cleaning solutions, saddle soap, polish and wax which could damage finish. Protect from direct heat and sunlight.

PRODUCT CARE FAQS

Q: My furniture is in need of cleaning. How do I know which cleaning products are safe for my fabric?

A: We recommend you contact a professional upholstery cleaner to determine the accepted cleaning method. See explanations of the cleaning codes.

 

Q: I have been told not to expose my furniture to direct sunlight. Why is that a problem?

A: Exposure to natural light can cause fabrics and leathers to fade. Care should be taken to limit the amount of light on any piece of furniture.

 

Q: What do I need to do to maintain my furniture to ensure it has a long life?

A: For maximum comfort and appearance over time, your upholstered furniture requires regular care. Please vacuum your furniture on a regular basis to remove the dust and dirt that can damage fabric fibers and cause premature wear. If you happen to spill something on your upholstered furniture, please clean all spills, including water spills, immediately. In addition, you will need to rotate your cushions and fluff your pillows on a regular basis.

CLEAN SPILLS IMMEDIATELY

Spills and accidents can permanently stain upholstery fabrics. Even a water spill can cause permanent damage to some fabrics if not cleaned up immediately.

EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT

Exposure to natural light can cause some fabrics to fade. Care should be taken to limit the amount of sunlight on any piece of furniture. Fading is not covered under our product warranty.

CLEANING CODES

W : Spot clean this fabric with only the foam of a water-based cleaning agent to remove soil.

 

S : Cleaning should be performed by a professional furniture cleaning service, using a solvent based cleaning agent.

 

S-W : Spot clean this fabric with only the foam of a water-based cleaning agent or with a pure solvent in a well-ventilated room.

 

D : Cleaning should be performed by a professional furniture cleaning service, using a solvent-based cleaning agent. Do not use any tumble method cleaning service as this may damage the fabric. Never remove cushion covers for dry cleaning, enen though they have zippers.

 

W-S : Clean water type stains with water-based cleaning agents and for oil type stains, use solvent-based cleaning agents, both designed for upholstery. Do not saturate.

 

X : Clean only by vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic stiff brush. DO NOT USE WATER OR SOLVENT BASED CLEANER.

 

In all cases, dry cleaning by a professional furniture cleaning service is recommended. To prevent overall soil, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust or grime is recommended.

Q: What do I need to do to keep my cushions and pillows properly maintained?

A: Our upholstered furniture is made to be soft and conform to the user's body with use. In order to return it to its original shape after use, the pillows and cushions will need to be fluffed and plumped by hand. Please be sure to rotate and flip your cushions on a regular basis in order to ensure normal wear to both sides of the cushion. In addition, be sure to vacuum your cushions and cushion deck regularly to remove dirt and dust which can damage fabric fibers and cause premature wear.

 

Q: How do I care for and clean leather?

A: When properly cared for, leather will maintain its beauty and appearance for many years. Each leather type has its own care and cleaning specifications. Listed below are some general guidelines:

  • Keep your leather furniture away from radiators and other intense heat generators.
  • If spills do occur, attend to them quickly, blotting the stain rathar than wiping.
  • Take extra care with sharp instruments and animal claws. Leather is much stronger than fabric, but can be punctured by force.

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