Luxury Fabric, Leather & Textile Care

Independent study. xplor is not an accredited training provider and awards no certificate.

Free

FABRIC-1 · Know the Material Before You Touch It

4 lessons

FABRIC-1.1 Fibres, Leather and Pile Materials Practice in examiner →

FABRIC-1.1.1

Identifying Fibres and Fabrics Onboard

Introduces the fibres and materials found across a superyacht interior — wool, silk, viscose, leather, suede, alcantara, velvet, outdoor acrylics and more — and how to recognise each by hand, eye and label. Explains why fibre identification must always precede any cleaning decision.

FABRIC-1.1.2

Leather, Suede, Nubuck, Alcantara and Pile Fabrics

Distinguishes aniline, semi-aniline and pigmented leathers from suede, nubuck and alcantara, and sets out what each can and cannot tolerate. Covers pile fabrics such as velvet, mohair and bouclé, including nap direction, crush marks and snagging.

FABRIC-1.2 Codes, Specifications and Fabric Environments Practice in examiner →

FABRIC-1.2.1

The Upholstery Cleaning Codes: W, S, WS and X

Explains the W, S, WS and X upholstery cleaning codes, what each permits and forbids, and where to find the code onboard. Stresses that an unlabelled or unknown fabric is treated as X until the fabric schedule proves otherwise.

FABRIC-1.2.2

The Fabric Schedule, the Maintenance File and Indoor vs Outdoor Fabric

Covers the fabric schedule, the yard maintenance file and the designer's specification as the authoritative sources for every care decision, and what to do when they are missing. Contrasts interior fabrics with marine outdoor fabrics and their very different tolerances.

FABRIC-2 · The Environment and Routine Care

3 lessons

FABRIC-2.1 What Attacks the Fabric Practice in examiner →

FABRIC-2.1.1

Sunscreen, Self-Tan and the Guest Contaminants

Explains why sunscreen — with its oils and chemical UV filters — is the worst enemy of yacht soft furnishings, along with self-tan, salt, body oils, food, wine, ink and make-up. Focuses on preventing contact and responding on the day rather than weeks later.

FABRIC-2.2 Routine Care and Protection Practice in examiner →

FABRIC-2.2.1

Vacuuming, Brushing and Pile Care

Sets out correct vacuuming technique for yacht soft furnishings — attachment choice, suction control, direction and frequency — and how to brush and maintain pile fabrics such as velvet, mohair and alcantara. Includes a daily, weekly, monthly and deep-clean rhythm.

FABRIC-2.2.2

Cushions, Sunpads, Covers and the Onboard Environment

Covers routine protection of cushions, sunpads and covers — rotation, plumping, drying and storage — and the environmental controls that keep soft furnishings alive: UV management, ventilation, dehumidification and salt control. Stresses that nothing is ever stored damp.

FABRIC-3 · Cleaning and Stain Response

4 lessons

FABRIC-3.1 Stain Response Fundamentals Practice in examiner →

FABRIC-3.1.1

The Golden Rules and the Stain Taxonomy

Establishes the golden rules of stain response — act now, blot never rub, work outside in, test every time, less is more, no water on S or X — and the five stain families with the correct sequence for each. Emphasises that doing nothing and escalating is always a defensible choice.

FABRIC-3.1.2

The Yacht Stains: Sunscreen to Chewing Gum

Works through the stains a yacht interior actually produces — sunscreen, self-tan, salt, wine, coffee, chocolate, blood, ink, make-up, gum, wax and pen on alcantara — with the correct approach and the irreversible errors for each. The cleaning code and the fibre always override the stain.

FABRIC-3.2 Leather, Carpet and Wet Methods Practice in examiner →

FABRIC-3.2.1

Leather, Suede and Nubuck Care

Sets out routine leather care — dusting, wiping and conditioning strictly to the manufacturer's specification — and the absolute prohibitions: no saddle soap or household products on aniline, no solvent on suede or nubuck. Covers sun and heat cracking, body oils and dye transfer from denim.

FABRIC-3.2.2

Carpet Care, Extraction and the Over-Wetting Trap

Explains over-wetting, wicking, watermarks and rings — often worse than the original stain — and how to avoid them. Covers wool, silk, sisal and synthetic carpet care, when steam and extraction will destroy a piece, pile restoration and the point at which a specialist takes over.

FABRIC-4 · Damage, Contractors and the Professional Line

2 lessons

FABRIC-4.1 The Professional Line Practice in examiner →

FABRIC-4.1.1

Damage Reporting, Specialists and Sourcing Bespoke Fabric

Covers honest and immediate damage reporting — photograph, report to the chief stew, never conceal — and the point at which crew must stop and hand over to a specialist cleaner, upholsterer, supplier or the interior designer. Explains the realities of sourcing bespoke and discontinued fabric.

FABRIC-4.2 Protection, Inventory and Safety Practice in examiner →

FABRIC-4.2.1

Yard Periods, Inventory, Chemical Safety and Disposal

Covers protecting soft furnishings during yard periods, works and provisioning, and maintaining an inventory of items, spares and offcuts. Sets out chemical safety and COSHH duties, the serious risk of solvent use in enclosed spaces, and MARPOL-compliant disposal of cleaning residues.

Aligned to the IAMI GUEST Program framework. Preparatory study only — assessment and certification are carried out by an approved GUEST Training Provider. Official source (GUEST Program).

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