Have you ever panicked because you found a stain on your new upholstered furniture, only to make the matter worse when you rushed in with the wrong cleaning solution? If so, you’re not the only one. Different fabrics require very different chemicals and techniques. What works for one set of upholstered cafe chairs won’t work for others. How is a conscientious furniture owner supposed to tell the difference?

Luckily, some manufacturers have adopted the voluntary uniform standards for furniture care. If your furniture was manufactured by such a compliant company, it will be marked with a code which indicates the appropriate cleaning method for that particular piece. The code may be printed on fabric samples, on a label under seat cushions and/or on hand tags. Use these codes as a guide when your furniture needs cleaning.

Thanks to Anne Field, the different codes have been gathered together and explained for us laypeople. They are W, S, S-W, and X.

“W–Use Water-Based Cleaner. Spot clean this fabric with the foam only of a water-based cleaning agent such as a mild detergent or commercial upholstery shampoo. Use sparingly. Avoid overwetting.

S–Use Solvent Cleaner. Spot clean this fabric with a mild water-free dry-cleaning solvent available in local stores. Use sparingly in a well-ventilated room with no
sparks or flame in the room.

S-W–Use Water-Based or Solvent Cleaner. Spot clean this fabric with a dry-cleaning solvent, mild detergent foam or upholstery shampoo, depending on the stain.

X–Vacuum Only. Clean this fabric only by vacuuming or light brushing to prevent accumulation of dust and grime. Water-based foam or solvent-based cleaning agents
of any kind may cause excessive shrinking, fading or spotting.”

With this knowledge, you need never use the wrong type of cleaner on your fabrics again.