Stains on your upholstery can be a much bigger problem to deal with than a stain on your clothes. You can throw your shirt in the washing machine, but your sofa? Yeah, that's not going to fit in there! Luckily, there's still a solution and no, it doesn't include a gigantic massive washing that you can fit your sofa in silly!
Keep in mind that there's a variety of different upholstery fabrics used in sofas, so what works for one fabric, might not work out too well on yours. A lot of fabric covered sofas come with a little tag with a code on it, unfortunately they often come without the explanation and seeing a tag with W or W/S on it, isn't going to mean a great deal to most people.
So here's the list of what these actually mean.
W = Water-based Cleaner
This one is safe to shampoo but test out whatever product you're using in an area no one is going to see first though, just in case the fabric reacts badly to it.
S = Water Free Solvent Cleaner
This one is often referred to as dry cleaning. It isn't the easiest method do yourself and the products aren't quite as readily available as the water based solutions. You may want to get a quote for a professional cleaning service.
W/S = Either Cleaners
These are safe with both, but personally I would always check to see if the product reacts to the fabric.
X = Light Brushing or Vacuum Only!
Keep cleaning products away from this one, you don't want to see what happens when you don't.
Quick Cleaning Tips
Keep in mind that there's a variety of different upholstery fabrics used in sofas, so what works for one fabric, might not work out too well on yours. A lot of fabric covered sofas come with a little tag with a code on it, unfortunately they often come without the explanation and seeing a tag with W or W/S on it, isn't going to mean a great deal to most people.
So here's the list of what these actually mean.
W = Water-based Cleaner
This one is safe to shampoo but test out whatever product you're using in an area no one is going to see first though, just in case the fabric reacts badly to it.
S = Water Free Solvent Cleaner
This one is often referred to as dry cleaning. It isn't the easiest method do yourself and the products aren't quite as readily available as the water based solutions. You may want to get a quote for a professional cleaning service.
W/S = Either Cleaners
These are safe with both, but personally I would always check to see if the product reacts to the fabric.
X = Light Brushing or Vacuum Only!
Keep cleaning products away from this one, you don't want to see what happens when you don't.
Quick Cleaning Tips
- Don't panic!
- Always check the fabric code before using any products on your sofa.
- Always spot test the product you're going to use in an inconspicuous area first. The product may damage the colour of the fabric, cause fabric shrinkage or ruin the pile of the fabric.
- Follow the instructions on the product. That boring text on the back of bottle? Read it.
- Always regularly vacuum your sofa. This helps keep dirt from embedding itself into the fabric.
- When in doubt, ask a professional. Professional cleaning services are affordable these days and if you really cherish that sofa, it might just be worth getting it cleaned professionally!