Fabric Cleaning Codes Made Easy!

You just got your furniture freshly reupholstered, and you love how it accents the rest of the room. Maybe you’re looking for some new fabric and want to know the maintenance level involved.

Or maybe you’ve had that fabric for a while, and it’s so familiar it’s a source of comfort. Then you drop a bowl of chocolate ice cream on it. Now that fabric is a source of uncertainty: mainly in how you clean it. After all, you can’t very well hang your furniture out on a clothesline.

Learning how to appropriately read fabric cleaning codes can be extremely challenging. Many cleaning codes are not clear or specify cleaning methods, tools, and processes. Thankfully, we will be reviewing the most popular cleaning codes in your upholstery and drapery fabrics, plus we will provide some cleaning tips that can save you time and money

First of all, before you start cleaning your upholstery fabric, always pretest the cleaning process in a small inconspicuous fabric area. This will ensure that you are protecting your fabric from any mishaps! Remember the cleaning codes and recommendations are for upholstery and drapery fabrics only. Use at your own discretion and never substitute cleaning methods.

Common Fabric Cleaning Codes You’ll See

DC -Dry Cleaning Only

S-Spot cleaning only with a water-free dry cleaning solvent. Never use water or saturate; if you are cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove the excess substance

W/S-Spot clean with upholstery shampoo, foam from a mild detergent, or a mild dry cleaning solvent. Do not Saturate.

W-Spot Clean only with water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. Do not oversaturate or use solvents to spot clean. Blot immediately to remove any spilled material

XClean only by vacuuming or light brushing with a nonmetallic, stiff bristle brush. Do not use water or solvent-based cleaner

Additional Recommendations

-Cushion covers should not be removed for laundering or dry cleaning unless there are specific instructions that they are machine washable.

-Hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not a recommended method for cleaning.

-To prevent overall soiling,  frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff brush to remove dust and grime is recommended.

-Clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle of the affected area to prevent circling and smudging the stains.

-Pile fabrics may require a non-metallic brush with stiff bristles to restore appearance.

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