THE OLD ADAGE “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” accurately describes Fiber-Seal’s mindset when preserving high-end furnishings.
Now approaching an impressive 50 years in business, the company has serviced a multitude of homes and businesses across Dallas-Fort Worth and the nation since its inception in 1971. Imagine your favorite local sports hero or high-profile business executive; chances are they’ve trusted Fiber-Seal with their most prized plush possessions.
“We’ve done lots and lots of extremely high-end jobs over the years—all of the really big names in the area,” says Lisa Mattich, who acquired the company with her husband, Jeff, in 2008. Under their leadership, the company has grown from 45 locations to 72 locations across the United States.
Peace of mind starts with Fiber-Seal’s fabric treatment. Gloved and masked technicians expertly apply a proprietary fabric protector onto curtains, rugs, furniture—you name it—to protect fabrics from accidental spills and stains, as well as daily wear and tear. Fiber-Seal’s treatments are safe for even the most delicate silk and viscose, in addition to hardier fabrics like wool, linen, cotton and even leather.
“Our model is 75% protection and 25% cleaning,” Mattich says. “If people start with fabric protection, they’re less likely to need a lot of cleaning, and you want to avoid cleaning something over and over. For example, if you washed your favorite shirt every week, it wouldn’t be your favorite shirt for very long.”
After the treatment dries within a couple of hours, it leaves no visible trace. Two of Fiber-Seal’s products, Fiber Mist and WaterPel, are GREENGUARD Gold Certified. Fiber-Seal is proud to have received this prestigious certification for environmental safety, making it the go-to choice for families with children and pets. “Your dog can lick it, and it won’t hurt them,” Mattich says.
The sought-after products were created in Dallas by the founder and his son, Tim Nelson, who still develops new products for the Fiber-Seal brand from its home office. “Tim heads up research and development for us and is constantly working on ways to improve our products,” Mattich says.
Fiber-Seal’s fabric protector is made to repel staining substances, but the company takes things a step further with its no-charge protection plan. Service calls are included in the price. “We’ll come out to a client’s home and spot clean as many times as they need,” Mattich says. Protection plans are renewable each year to ensure that clients’ homes and businesses always look good as new.
Fiber-Seal also arms its clients with a spills-and-stains kit for any emergency touch-ups in between service calls. “We want to avoid people going online or to the store and buying something off the shelf, which could create a worse problem,” says Mattich. “The kit has step-by-step instructions based on what the spill might be. If they stick to that, they’ll be successful.”
Fiber-Seal is so effective at keeping furnishings fresh that the Residences at the Stoneleigh called upon the company to work its magic in the hotel’s newly renovated interiors and maintain them year after year.
“We service all three of the main floors, including carpets, rugs and upholstery,” Mattich says. “We also work with tenants at other high-profile residences within the Ritz-Carlton, the Mansion on Turtle Creek and the Azure.”
A lot of Fiber-Seal’s business comes from homeowner referrals and also referrals from within the home design industry. The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has recognized Fiber-Seal as a National Industry Partner. The company has also earned nods from the Interior Design Society (IDS) and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), among other trade associations.
Fiber-Seal recommends its protection plan to ensure maximum customer success and satisfaction, but at the end of the day, the company serves its clients’ needs—whatever those may be.
“We cleaned someone’s carpet last week—it was awful—but we loved how great it looked after we were finished,” Mattich says. The before and after pictures on Fiber-Seal’s website and Yelp page are a testament unto themselves.
“We are really good at cleaning, but if people start with fabric protection, it will make their lives easier. A lot of our clients never need a full cleaning,” Mattich explains. “No matter what the issue is, call us. It’s amazing what we’re able to do.” *
Alaena Hostetter is a content strategist, editor and journalist who writes about art, design, culture, music, entertainment and food. She can be reached via her website alaenahostetter.com.