Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Precision Textiles Develops First Hygienic Upholstery Testing Kit
May 20,
2020 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry 
Precision Textiles, a leading supplier of coated fabrics, nonwovens and laminations for the bedding, automotive, health care and home furnishings industries, has developed a hygienic upholstery testing kit designed to keep customers safe while they shop.
Part of the company’s SlumberShield line of protective barriers, the two-piece, sealed kit can be used as consumers “seat test” upholstery. A patent is pending on the kits.
With national surveys showing that consumers have tremendous concerns about contracting the COVID-19 virus as they re-emerge, they will undoubtedly be cautious of sitting on shared surfaces in retail stores for fear of germ transmission. The individually sealed kits are designed to be used in-store to protect against contagions. Customers can use the sheet during their shopping and once finished in the store, the barrier can be discarded with the trash.
“While healthcare workers are working tirelessly to keep us safe, it’s important that safety precautions are put in place to protect the public against the continued spread of the virus as our economy reopens,” said Scott Tesser, chief executive officer of Precision Textiles. “Sofas, chairs and other upholstered products come into direct contact with consumers during the essential ‘seat test’ for comfort. To adapt to the current health crisis, the kits are sealed for one-time use to offer additional reassurance to consumers.”
The two-piece testing kits include a 60-inch by 40-inch disposable flat cover and one 15-inch by 20-inch disposable headrest cover. The thin fabric is made of an anti-microbial polyester-rayon blend that is soft to the touch, does not crinkle and does not impact the feel of the seat. The kits are designed for retailers to give to consumers during the shopping process to reassure them that they are shopping safely. The sheet can easily be tucked into the cushions to hold it in place while sitting.
The furniture testing kit is the second product the company has developed for retailers to use in their stores. The company recently developed the first individually packaged hygienic mattress testing kit for stores to use while consumers are shopping for mattresses.