• When washing cushion covers, there is some danger of fabric shrinkage and dye loss. Once this happens, there is not much you or anyone else can do to fix it.

• Shrinkage typically occurs more often in the dryer, so if you are tempted to wash your own cushion covers, hang them to dry. Unfortunately, there will still be some risk of shrinkage.

• Dyes are funny things. The dyes on your favorite t-shirts are pretty tough and durable and will last a long time, but on upholstery they can bleed or fade.

• Putting cushion covers in the laundry can also cause problems with the integrity of the fabric, such as any latex backing that could be present. Delamination, the separation of the face fiber and backing, can occur.

• 'S' code assures that dyes are stable to dry (solvent-based) spotters or cleaners. These should be cleaned with a dry-cleaning solvent method.

• 'W' code means the dyes are stable to water-based spotters and cleaners.

• 'W/S' signifies dyes are stable to water or solvent-based spotters or cleaners.

• 'X' code indicates dyes are not stable to either water or solvent-based spotters or cleaners and should only be thoroughly vacuumed on a regular basis.

• Cellulose Fibers
• Protein Fibers
• Regenerated Cellulose

• 15 % stronger when wet. Treating it chemically increases the strength and adds luster.
• Most important quality is absorbency. It will absorb cleaning solutions as well as perspiration and oils.
• Cotton fibers are not actually susceptible to shrinkage until manufactured, when they are stretched on the loom, and then return to their original length in the first washing. (Cotton does not shrink in the rain while growing!) Subsequent washing will usually not cause more shrinkage.
• Cotton is naturally moth resistant.
• Does not melt.

• Very flammable.
• Susceptible to mildew and silverfish.
• Cotton also has a tendency to brown or turn yellow, called cellulose browning. This can usually be reversed by a professional procedure.
• Cotton with a glaze has a shiny finish which is usually permanent but can be removed if improperly cleaned.
• Cotton can be damaged by sunlight and oxidation.

• Clean or treat with high alkaline cleaning solution if dyes are colorfast.
• The dye, finish, design, etc. determines whether the fabric should be wet or dry cleaned.

• Linen is spun from flax fiber and is similar to cotton. 
• It is 2 to 3 times stronger whether wet or dry.
• Shrinks less than cotton. 
• Naturally moth resistant.

• Has poor fiber elasticity and is therefore naturally stiff.
• Can be damaged by sunlight and oxidation as can cotton but at a slower rate than cotton.
• Not very resilient and wrinkles easily.

• Resistant to alkalies.
• Avoid strong acids when cleaning or treating.
• Can be wet or dry cleaned.

• One of the most durable, hard-wearing fibers.
• Wool fiber has elasticity, resilience, and bulk.
• Wool can absorb 30% of its weight in moisture thus making it easy to dye.
• It is resistant to abrasion and wears well.
• Wool has a natural crimp and will resist crushing and distortion and recover its shape well.
• Is non-flammable.
• Does not soil easily.
• Resists and recovers from wrinkles.
• Can be dyed easily.

• Excessive moisture could lead to mildew or mold if not dried thoroughly. 
• Loses strength when wet.
• Wool shrinks when subjected to heat and moisture. 
• It is more resistant to sunlight than cotton but will yellow over time.
• If not specially treated, wool can be damaged by textile insects such as moths and carpet and furniture beetles.

• Avoid strong alkalies and concentrated solutions of strong acids when cleaning or treating.
• Can be wet or dry cleaned (wet only if colorfast).

• Silk fibers are the strongest animal/protein fibers.
• Their elasticity and high absorption characteristics allow for finish applications and dye techniques.
• Accepts dyes well.
• Can have low abrasion resistance.

• Can be easily yellowed and damaged by age, sunlight, and perspiration.
• Tends to water spot if not treated.

• Dry cleaning is the safe recommendation because water can produce watermarks and dye bleeding.

• Rayon is sometimes known as imitation silk.
• Usually blended with cotton and synthetics.
• Low resistance and poor dimensional stability.

• Rayon dries hard when exposed to air but is inherently weak.
• It can absorb more moisture than cotton or linen but the fibers swell, reducing its strength by 50%.
• Wrinkles easily when wet.
• Poor resistance to abrasion.
• Susceptible to mildew damage.
• Extended exposure to sunlight can be damaging.
• Rayon can shrink more and more each time it is wet but does not return to its normal length.

• Avoid acids and strong alkalies when cleaning or treating.
• Wet or dry clean.

• Resistant to moisture, mold, mildew, and moths.
• Resists shrinking.
• Resists wrinkling.

• Acetates, like rayon, are weaker when wet.
• Also, like rayon, they are usually found in blended fabrics.
• Not abrasion resistant.
• Sunlight and oxidation deteriorates acetates. 

• Weakened by strong alkalies and strong acids.
• Acetone completely dissolves acetates.
• Can be wet or dry cleaned.

• Habitat loss.
• A rise in parasitic mites.
• A rise in predators that thrive in warmer temperatures.
• Increased pesticide use to deal with new pests.
• Shifting winds which make bees less effective.
• Colony Collapse Disorder.

• Increased losses due to the invasive varroa mite (a pest of honey bees).
• New or emerging diseases such as Israeli Acute Paralysis virus and the gut parasite Nosema.
• Pesticide poisoning through exposure to pesticides applied to crops or for in-hive insect or mite control.
• Stress bees experience due to management practices such as transportation to multiple locations across the country for providing pollination services. 
• Changes to the habitat where bees forage.
• Inadequate forage/poor nutrition. 
• Potential immune-suppressing stress on bees caused by one or a combination of factors identified above.

1. queens.
2. workers.
3. drones.