There are a great many things that we clean regularly. Our clothes, our cars, our dishes, our kitchen counters, or even our carpet! However, most people have little knowledge about how to clean furniture upholstery. Little do they know that to properly clean upholstery fabric only requires two key things. First, you need to know the type of stain. Second, you need to know the type of fabric and the fabric’s upholstery cleaning codes. It really is that simple!
Prolonging your furniture’s life after a spill can be easy if you know how to approach cleaning the stain. You should know that certain stains and certain fabrics react differently to various cleaning products. As a result, it helps to know what to use before grabbing the first spray bottle of cleaner or solvent you can get your hands on.
Before you buy some upholstery cleaner off the shelf or try a random DIY solution on the internet, here are our first steps to help you determine how to clean furniture upholstery fabric.
First, Identify & Pre-Treat the Stain
Yes, it’s true. Many common stains can be easily addressed with a damp rag, a steam cleaner, or household items like vinegar, dish soap, club soda, or baking soda. However, determining exactly how to clean furniture fabric means first identifying the stain and the upholstery cleaning code.
What do we have here? Dirt? Wine? Coffee? A pet stain or kiddo mishap? Regardless of what kind of spill or accident occurred, remember that not all stains are created equal.
Before treating with any kind of solution (water included), your first step should always be to remove all excess liquid, solid, goo, or gunk as quickly as possible. This holds true regardless of what type of spill you’re dealing with. Remember, the sooner you remove the offending substance, the less time it has to sink into the fibers.
We always recommend starting with either a clean rag or vacuum cleaner. For liquid spills of all kinds, be sure to blot the stain with a rag – don’t rub it, or you could send the stain deeper into the fabric.
We like using a white rag so that you can continue blotting until the rag comes up clean. If you’ve got a vacuum cleaner with a handheld attachment, this is great for accidents that involve solids, crumbs or anything else. Additionally, if you have a wet/dry vacuum, you can use it for liquid spills too. Once you’ve blotted/vacuumed the excess crud, you should be able to see what you’re working with.
If your spill is still clearly visible, you may have an oil-based stain or other difficult-to-remove stain on your hands. In that case, you’ll need a little help from chemistry. The good news is that your furniture should be able to tell you what’s best for keeping it spot-free without damaging the fabric.
What You Should Know About Upholstery Cleaning Codes
Upholstered furniture is always tagged with specific fabric cleaning codes, which determine the appropriate plan-of-action for cleaning a stain. If your furniture still has its original tags (or an owner’s manual), take a closer look to see what they recommend for cleaning.
Where to Find the Upholstery Cleaning Code
If you don’t have an owner’s manual or the original exterior tags from the furniture showroom, you’re likely unsure about where to find your upholstery cleaning code. No worries!
While this can vary depending on manufacturer, most furniture makers and upholsterers attach a tag with your cleaning codes to the decking, or platform, beneath the cushions. If you’re dealing with a sofa, chair, loveseat, etc. that doesn’t have removable cushions, the next step is to check underneath the piece itself.
If your fabric cleaning codes are still nowhere to be found, we recommend reaching out to the manufacturer or a professional cleaner. However, if you bought your piece from Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, feel free to contact us right away. We can pull up your old order in our system and get you the information you need to treat your fabric the right way!
What Are the Common Upholstery Cleaning Codes?
The guide below will help you determine the proper cleaning process and cleaning products based on your fabric cleaning code:
- Cleaning Code W – “W” stands for “Water”. This means that it’s safe to use water or any water-based cleaning agent. However, if using water or making your own DIY cleaning solution, we recommend using distilled water and not tap water. This is because water from the tap contains mineral additives.
- Cleaning Code S – “S” stands for “Solvent”. Use mild, water-free solvents and cleaning agents. This is the upholstery equivalent of a “dry clean only” garment.
- Cleaning Code WS – These fabrics are very versatile as they can be cleaned with both water-based and water-free cleaning agents. Just remember, no tap water.
- Cleaning Code X – While less common, these fabrics are the most difficult to treat for stains. In this case, vacuuming is allowed but beyond that, professional cleaning is required.
- Cleaning Code R – This fabric cleaning code is proprietary and unique to Revolution performance fabrics. These fabrics can be cleaned with a water and bleach solution.
While there are other upholstery cleaning codes out there, the ones above are the most common across the industry. Here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, the vast majority of our upholstery fits into one of these five cleaning code categories.
Take Action & Clean Up The Mess!
Lastly, now that you’ve determined the best way to treat your stain, it’s time to get moving! Remember, the quicker you remove the stain, the better chance you have of getting it out before it sets in.
A Word of Caution: When using any cleaner for upholstery fabrics, whether homemade or store-bought, we recommend testing an inconspicuous spot first. Some cleaning products may react with certain fibers and cause lightening of the fabric. Always test a small spot first.
Is Your Fabric Too Far Gone? Let Us Help You Find the Right Upholstery for Your Living Space!
Now that you know how to clean your upholstery fabric, you’ll be prepared for whatever mess comes! However, in the event that your fabric furniture is past its prime and in need of replacement, we’d love to assist you here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet!
Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet offers a wide variety of quality, durable sofas, loveseats, accent chairs, and sectionals. Our Design Center also boasts metro Atlanta’s largest selection of custom order upholstery, including many performance fabrics! Visit any of our North Georgia stores in Acworth, Hiram & Rome, or shop online today.
