Before tossing a new shirt into the wash, you’d probably check the instructions on its tag. Yet many of us would never think to take the same precaution before spot-cleaning the sofa.
Turns out we should.
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Just like the textiles you wear, each piece of upholstered furniture in your home comes with a label outlining the specifics of caring for it. Neglecting to follow those directions could result in permanent damage. One of the key details included on your couch or favorite lounge chair’s tag is its upholstery cleaning code — a letter or combination of letters that corresponds to the manufacturer’s recommended method of spot-cleaning the fabric. These codes exist, says Kevin Kluth, president of Pinnacle Eco Clean in Rochester, N.Y., so you “don’t get into trouble.”
Can’t find the tag? Try checking the underside of the piece. Or, if it has cushions, removing them may uncover a label on the frame. Regardless of the recommended cleaning method, Kluth advises testing it in a small, inconspicuous area first, such as the zippered part of a cushion. Remember also to “always blot and never scrub” to avoid spreading the offending substance or distorting the fabric’s texture, he adds.
For even more guidance, call the retailer that sold you the piece. “A lot of stores have different concepts of what these [codes] mean, and whoever you’re buying that sofa from knows that fabric the best,” says Tracy Morris, founder of D.C. interior design firm Tracy Morris Design.
Read on for more help deciphering your furniture’s cleaning codes.
Common upholstery cleaning codes
W: This code means that water-based solutions are the best way to take care of stains and spills — but it does not mean the fabric is machine washable. “Typically, for water-based cleaning you’re mostly dealing with olefin, acetate or petroleum-based [upholstery], like polyester or nylon,” says Mark Norman, owner of Dang Good Carpet and Furnace Cleaning in Canada. Fabrics that blend polyester with other fibers such as cotton may fall into this category, too.
To spot-treat these, Kluth first recommends using only distilled water. If that’s not enough, try a dab of mild, water-based liquid dish soap such as Ivory; mix it with a small amount of distilled water and gently blot. “You’re not using so much that you’re creating a bunch of foam you can’t get out, which could stick,” he says.
Norman adds that you could also try a steam cleaner. Or, you could reach for a water-based store-bought product; Maha Hartary, a designer at Tracy Morris Design, recommends Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover.
S: “S” code upholstery is trickier — it’s not supposed to get wet at all. These fabrics are comparable to the clothes you’d typically dry clean. They often comprise fabrics that include natural fibers such as wool, cotton or linen. Other fabrics within this category include many rayon, corduroy, velvet and velour weaves, Norman adds.
S code materials require solvent-based cleaning products, which lift away dirt and stains without creating suds. Using water on one of these fabrics could actually create new or worse stains. Kluth recommends heading to your local hardware store and looking for a “highly distilled mineral product” such as K2R Spot Lifter. Your local dry cleaner may also have a recommended product, he adds. But if you’re dealing with a heavy-duty stain on upholstery in this category, he cautions that you’ll probably need to enlist professional help.
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S/W: Fabrics with this code comprise the ones mentioned above in both the S and W categories and can tolerate either water or solvent-based solutions, which lends a bit more flexibility in terms of cleaning. To care for these types of materials, try using either a water or solvent-based cleaner as mentioned above.
X: If you see this code on a tag, do not use any type of cleanser at all. X stands for brushing or vacuuming only. “It literally cannot be cleaned with any product,” Norman emphasizes. According to Hartary, delicate weaves such as some velvets or materials such as suede, alpaca or mohair may carry this designation. “Anything that is normally reserved for blankets or pillows, or is more of a top-quality natural animal material would fall under [code X],” she adds. Use the upholstery attachment hose on your vacuum or a soft brush to gently lift away dirt and dust. For anything more intense, call your local upholstery cleaner for advice.
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To avoid spot-cleaning altogether
If these codes make your head spin — or if you live with pets, kids or other housemates prone to making messes — Hartary recommends seeking out furniture upholstered in solution-dyed acrylics. This family of fabrics is especially durable and comes in nearly endless texture and color options, she says. “This is the number one way to get around any kind of cleaning solution because it’s a man-made fiber that’s impervious to anything you spill on it, and the colors and fibers are spun in a way where they’ll never fade and you can never Clorox them out,” she adds. “It’s the number one go-to in our library [for clients].”
Helen Carefoot is a writer in D.C. who covers lifestyle and culture.
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