Cations and anions have a significant effect on the smoldering potential of fabrics. Suggestions for eliminating sodium and potassium ions to render the fabrics nonsmoldering were countered by claims that soiling of fabrics due to normal use would increase their smoldering potential. To examine the effect of soiling on upholstered furniture, sixty-six used fabrics were collected from the State of Georgia and sixty from the State of Virginia. Sections of each fabric were determined to be either "soiled" or "unsoiled". A "soiled" area is an exposed surface of the fabric, whereas an "unsoiled" areas is not exposed. The average age of these fabrics was 15 years. Solutions of the fabric samples were prepared by microwave digestion in nitric acid and the cations assayed by DCP-AES (Direct Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy). Anions were assayed in aqueous extracts by ion chromatography. Two ions that play a catalytic role in smoldering ignitions, sodium and potassium, increased in soiled areas by approximately 750 ppm and 490 ppm, respectively. Calcium and magnesium levels did not increase between soiled and unsoiled fabric areas. Chloride and sulfate levels increased in the soiled samples compared to the unsoiled. Levels of nitrate and phosphate did not change with soiling.