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How to Clean Revolution Fabric: A Step-by-Step Care Guide for Olefin Upholstery

How to Clean Revolution Fabric: A Step-by-Step Care Guide for Olefin Upholstery

When life gets messy — and let’s be honest, it always does — it’s good to know your furniture can stand up to the challenge. That’s one of the big reasons we recommend performance fabrics like Revolution to most of our customers, especially to shoppers with active households involving pets or children. But not all performance fabrics are created equal. Different performance fabrics have their own unique strengths, benefits, and recommended care instructions.

Revolution Fabric is a line of olefin performance fabrics designed to be stain-resistant, fade-resistant (i.e. colorfast), and tear-resistant in order to hold up against daily life with kids, pets, and everything in between. But even premium performance fabrics need a little care from time to time. 

So, how do you clean Revolution Fabric upholstery, or olefin fabrics in general? If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to clean a juice spill, tackle an oil-based stain, or just keep your Revolution Fabric upholstered sofa looking fresh — this care guide’s for you. Read on for all the details.

[Disclaimer: While Revolution Fabric is typically 100% olefin, some olefin performance fabrics are blended with other fibers and may have slightly different characteristics and care instructions. When in doubt, please check with your upholstery’s seller and/or manufacturer for specific fabric care instructions. Need help on how to check and decipher your sofa’s cleaning codes? Read about those here.]

What Makes Revolution Fabric Unique?

Revolution Fabric is made from solution-dyed olefin (also known as polypropylene, or polypro for short), a synthetic fiber that’s naturally stain-resistant and colorfast. That means the color goes all the way through the fiber — not just on the surface — so it doesn’t bleed or fade over time. It also repels moisture and doesn’t absorb liquids the way natural fibers do. 

Best of all? It’s one of the few upholstery fabrics that you can safely clean using a diluted bleach solution without damaging the material or affecting the color.

Everyday Maintenance for Revolution Fabric

Even if you’re not dealing with a major stain, regular care goes a long way to protecting your new upholstery. Here’s how to keep olefin upholstery like Revolution Fabric clean between spills:

  • Vacuum regularly with a hand-vac or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush or upholstery attachment to prevent accumulation of dust, dander, crumbs, or other debris.

  • Use a lint roller as necessary to remove extra stubborn lint, pet hair, or surface fuzz, and to minimize pilling.

  • Rotate and flip cushions (if you’ve got loose or unattached cushions) to ensure even wear over time.


These small habits can help extend the life of your upholstery and keep it looking fresh. This is easiest if you can build this into your regular, weekly routine.

How To Spot Clean Revolution Fabric (Food, Dirt, Spills)

Regular maintenance is all well and good, but accidents do happen. When they do, taking the correct action promptly can prevent stubborn stains from setting in. The suggestions below represent the first steps you’ll want to take.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Warm water
  • Clean white washcloth
  • 32 oz spray bottle
  • A soft bristle brush (optional)
  • Mild dish soap like Dawn
  • Standard household chlorine bleach


Revolution Fabric states that their fabrics are cleanable with most any non-solvent household cleaner
— from bleach, to Dawn, to OxiClean, to Lysol. However, today’s care guide focuses on using Dawn (or similar gentle dish soap) for minor spills or oil-based stains, and a stronger chlorine bleach solution for tougher stains. 

Here are your first steps:

  1. Remove excess debris and blot the stain immediately — don’t rub.

  2. Mix your cleaning solution of a) a few drops of Dawn or similar dish soap in a bowl with warm water, or alternatively, b) a mixture of 1 oz of dish soap to 32 oz of water (a 1:32 ratio mixture) in a standard 32 oz spray bottle.

  3. Apply with a cloth or spray bottle enough to dampen the fabric.

  4. Blot and repeat as needed until the stain is gone.

  5. Rinse with clean water and blot to remove any residue.

  6. Air dry — or use a hair dryer strictly on cool or no heat setting if you’re in a hurry.

Is your pesky stain still present? Scroll on for follow-up steps for hard-to-remove stains that don’t respond to your first treatment.

How To Deep Clean Revolution Fabric (Yes, You Can Use Bleach!)

Finally, for tough stains like wine, blood, ink, tea, coffee, mud, pet accidents, or anything else that doesn’t respond to the steps above, Revolution Fabric’s olefin construction lets you safely use a bleach-water solution. The strength of this solution can vary, but Revolution recommends either mixing 2 oz of bleach and 30 oz of water into a 32 oz spray bottle (1:15 ratio) or 4 oz of bleach with 28 oz of water in a 32 oz spray bottle (1:7 ratio) depending on the stubbornness of the stain. Both mixtures are safe for the fabric and will not damage it.

Here’s how:

  • Mix your bleach solution (whether 1:15 ratio or 1:7 ratio) and fill your standard 32 oz spray bottle)

  • Spray the stained area until damp.

  • Gently blot and repeat as needed with a clean cloth until the stain is gone.

  • Thoroughly rinse with plain water to remove the residue from the stain and the bleach solution.

  • Air dry fabric completely before using.


A properly diluted bleach solution won’t damage the color or structure of olefin fabric — but it
can damage other things in your home environment if you’re not careful. As a precaution, we recommend taking measures to protect any wood/metal trim, non-olefin components, or other nearby items from overspray, and placing a towel underneath the fabric where possible to protect the cushion foam.

What to Avoid When Cleaning Revolution Fabric

Even with a stain-resistant performance fabric like Revolution, there are a few cleaning methods to avoid:

  • Steam cleaning or hot water extraction are not generally recommended unless done professionally after other options have been exhausted — olefin can melt or weaken under high heat. For this same reason, please avoid drying the fabric with a hot hair dryer.

  • Olefin is durable and wear-resistant, but don’t use abrasive or stiff brushes that could wear down or fray the fibers. Instead of scrubbing, stick to blotting wherever possible.

  • While olefin is made to handle diluted bleach solutions, avoid harsh solvent-based cleaners or detergents as these can damage the fibers. A good rule of thumb is to skip any solvents or cleaners that are marked as flammable.

General Long-Term Tips for Preserving Your Revolution Upholstery

  • Even though performance fabrics like Revolution are fade-resistant, keep furniture out of direct sunlight wherever possible.

  • Use throws or washable covers for extra protection of upholstery from overuse, high-traffic areas, and UV exposure.

  • Don’t sit by and wait for stains to set — early action is always easier than deep cleaning later.

Got More Performance Fabric Questions? Let Us Be Your Upholstery Resource!

If you’re not completely sure what kind of fabric you’re working with, or you’re dealing with a tough stain that won’t budge, feel free to reach out to us at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet. Our team is always happy to help you get the most out of your furniture investment.

For more helpful info, check out our other upholstery resources below:

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