Upholstery Furniture Care
Precautions
Effects of sunlight.
Sunlight can damage fibres and cause fabrics to fade. Position your furniture away from direct sunlight. Use lined draperies, window shades, or blinds can prevent sun damage.
Climate control.
Extreme temperature variations can be harmful to upholstered furniture. Hot radiators or heating ducts can dry fabric fibres and fade colours. Cold, dry air from air conditioning outlets can affect both the fabric and the frame. Arrange furniture so it is at least 20 inches away from air conditioning or heating outlets. Do not store upholstery in a damp basement or a hot attic. The dimensional stability of certain fabrics, particularly those made of natural fibres, can be affected by climate changes in the home. When humidity is high, the fabric may lengthen as it absorbs moisture. This results in a less taut appearance in the upholstery.
Fume fading.
Fume fading occurs when gases and fumes from furnaces, cooktops, chimneys, and cars mix with oxygen and humidity to form an acid. This mild acid reacts with fabric fibres and causes it to deteriorate and become discoloured; some colours are affected more than others. Always use exhaust fans in the kitchen to help reduce the accumulation of cooking fumes. Be aware that tobacco smoke, heating systems, and auto exhausts may also leave a greasy residue. This type of soiling can be found near heating and air-conditioning vents and windows. To prolong the beauty of your fabrics, arrange furniture away from vents and clean it regularly.
Pets.
Muddy paws, snagging claws, and shedding are a natural part of pet ownership. Extra maintenance may be required for homes with pets. If you can’t resist pampering a pet, protect your upholstery and be sure to vacuum it often.
Perspiration and body oils.
Upholstery fabrics and leather can absorb perspiration and oil from skin, hair, soiled hands, and clothing. Protect your furniture by placing cloths where heads rest and using arm caps when provided.
Newspaper.
Avoid placing newspapers on upholstered items. The newsprint can rub off on the fabric or leather, dulling the colour and contributing to overall soiling.
Standard Care Procedures
Rotate seat cushions.
Turn, fluff, and rotate seat cushions and back pillows weekly – regardless of how much the seating was used to minimize premature wear of the cushion core, control welt slippage, and maintain even fabric colour.
Vacuum regularly to remove dust.
Although you won’t see it as you do on a tabletop, dust settles on your upholstery and can soil and abrade it if it isn’t removed regularly. We recommend weekly vacuuming with an appropriate vacuum cleaner attachment. Vacuuming can help, but improper vacuuming can result in fabric wear and piling. Do not use a commercial vacuum or a rolling brush attachment; use a residential vacuum cleaner fitted with an upholstery tool attachment.
Clean spills immediately.
Blot (do not rub) all spills immediately with a clean, dry white cloth. Spot clean according to the instructions on the label located on or under the seating deck.
Do not clean cushion covers separately.
Even though they have zippers, the cushion covers are designed to be cleaned in the manner as the rest of the upholstery.
Stain and Spot Removal
Treat spills and accidents immediately. Quick action is essential to prevent permanent damage. Spots and stains from liquid spills can be prevented if immediate steps are taken to absorb the staining materials.
Standard cleaning codes. These standard cleaning codes for upholstery have been part of the furniture industry since 1969. Some brands will include these on a permanent label on the piece of furniture to provide direction in cleaning.
- S=Solvent cleaner only. Spot clean using a mild, water-free solvent and dry-cleaning product. Clean only in a well-ventilated room and avoid any product containing carbon tetrachloride or any other toxic material.
- WS=Water-based or solvent cleaner. Spot clean with a mild solvent, an upholstery shampoo, or foam from a mild detergent. When using a solvent or dry-cleaning product, follow instructions carefully and clean only in a well-ventilated room.
- W=Water-based cleaner. Spot clean using the foam only from a water-based cleaning agent such as a mild detergent or nonsolvent upholstery shampoo product. Apply foam with a soft brush in a circular motion. Vacuum when dry.
- X=No cleaning agents. Clean this fabric only by vacuuming or light brushing to prevent the accumulation of dust or grime. Water-based foam cleaners are solvent-based cleaning agents of any kind that may cause excessive shrinking, staining, or distortion of the surface pile, and therefore should not be used.
Note: Due to the varied nature of stains and fabrics, there is no guarantee that the results of these household solutions will be positive. You may need to contact a professional cleaning specialist to purchase a solvent or dry-cleaning product for fabrics with “S” or “WS” cleaning codes.
Appearance Changes
Once you begin using an upholstered item, you can expect its appearance to change over time. These changes are considered normal wear. Here’s what to expect:
Wear and pilling.
Over time, most upholstery fabrics will show wear due to friction. Pilling—the formation of little balls of fuzz on the surface of a fabric—may occur with normal use. The occurrence of pilling in a given fabric depends on several factors, including the fabric’s weave, its fibre content, and the way the furniture has been used.
Comfort wrinkles and compression.
To get the relaxed look and feel of some of our upholstery styles, some fabrics have “give.” Comfort wrinkles and creases are natural occurrences in these relaxed upholstery styles. Even in traditional, tailored styles, some comfort wrinkles can be expected as the upholstered item is used and adjusts to its normal wear.