You might be familiar with this scene. Just as you’ve settled in and gotten cozy with some comfort food, that loaded nacho chip or saucy chicken wing decides to take a plunge right onto your sofa’s seat. Now, your favorite living room piece has a lovely statement stain to match the rest of the décor.
Stains can set in mere seconds, but understanding your furniture’s upholstery fabric cleaning codes before accidents happen can save your favorite lounge spot from having to don a spot of shame. Follow along to learn what your furniture’s upholstery codes mean, along with their best cleaning practices.
Before You Start…
While the following upholstery codes are common, it’s always best to handle furniture stains accordingly:
- Always test a small area first before fully treating stains and messes on your furniture.
- Blotting is better than scrubbing.
- If you cannot happen to find the cleaning code, contact the manufacturer.
W (wet)
Arguably the easiest fabrics to clean, W-code upholsteries are easily repairable with water-based fabric shampoos and foams. While lightly saturating a stain is okay, be cautious not to soak the upholstery. Additionally, solvents should never be used on upholsteries with the W-code tag.
What happens if I use a solvent on upholstery with a W code?
Although W-coded fabrics are easy to clean, they are prone to damage when treated with a solvent. That’s because, unlike water-based shampoos, foams, or cleaners, solvents are hydrocarbon-based and work by dissolving materials. While solvents are safe for some upholsteries, using a solvent on w-coded fabric can ruin it, and cause adhesive backing and lining to deteriorate.
S (solvent)
On the other hand, S-coded upholsteries (a.k.a. P.D. or DC) should never be treated with water, as doing so may leave a ring where the stain has been treated. Instead, you should only use dry cleaning solvents to clean messes. Since most upholsteries with the S-code are natural fibers, like wool, linen, or silk, gentle action and a mild solvent are recommended, as well as sufficient ventilation.
What happens if I use water on upholstery with S code?
Using water on S-coded upholstery may cause it to bleed, shrink, “pucker,” and leave a brown-colored watermark. For best results, solvents should be applied to a surface and then immediately vacuumed off.
W/S (wet or solvent)
Furniture with a W/S code can be easily cleaned using either a water-based cleaner or a mild solvent. However, while this type of upholstery is the most flexible in terms of cleanability, you should always test a small area to be sure how a certain fabric might respond to different methods of cleaning, taking care not to oversaturate the stained area.
X (no cleaning)
Luckily, this cleaning code is by far the least common, but just in case you come across it, it helps to know how to take care of it. Unfortunately, upholstery with the X code should not be treated at home with anything other than some light vacuuming and blotting. For heavier stains, hire a professional to properly clean stains.
What happens if I use water or solvent on upholstery with X code?
Because this type of upholstery has not been manufactured to resist moisture, applying a solvent or water-based cleaner on X-coded upholstery could of permanently damaging the furniture.
Bonus: Leather
Leather is a classic furniture upholstery, popular for its high-end look, durability, and easy maintenance. While cleaning leather (including faux-leather) is often a matter of wiping messes off, there are a few guidelines when cleaning leather-upholstered furniture, such as:
- Do not use abrasives cleaners or brushes.
- Only use manufacturer-recommended cleaners.
- Generally, leather cleaners with oils, soaps, and detergents are not recommended.
- Use conditioner every six to 12 months
Nothing Beats Brand-New
Even with the best cleaning tips, sometimes a fresh start is just what you need to give your favorite place to relax a new look and feel. Luckily, there are no codes you need to learn in order to find the best furniture deals near you. Simply browse, compare, and shop our furniture catalog online or at a location near you!
