So, you’re wondering how to clean upholstered furniture without ruining it. You’re not alone. With so many fabrics and differing opinions about “the right” way to do things, it can be tough to know where to start.
The truth is, there’s no one right way to clean your upholstery. What works for one piece might not work for another. That’s why it’s so important to check the care label (or reach out to the manufacturer) before trying anything new.
That said, in this guide, we’ll cover some tried-and-true tips on how to clean upholstery based on common wisdom, plus a few things you’ll definitely want to avoid.
Let’s get into it!
The fast cleaning approach
Just a heads up: If you’re looking for a quick clean only, the fast cleaning approach is for you. For a more in-depth process that includes vacuuming, check out the deeper cleaning approach below.
1. Spray your upholstered furniture down
All right, so you walk into your house and notice that your upholstered furniture is dirty and smelly. You’re short on time, so what do you do?
The absolute first step before you start spraying away is to check your furniture’s care label/product tag and look for the clean code.
If you’re unfamiliar with upholstery fabric clean codes, here is a quick guide that will help you.
Furniture upholstery clean codes
You can usually find the clean code on the furniture tag attached to your piece. If the tag is missing or unreadable, try searching for the manufacturer’s name online. They usually provide care instructions on their website.
Alternatively, you can contact the retailer where you purchased the furniture, as they may have the cleaning guidelines on file.
Here’s what each code means:
W: This means the fabric can be cleaned with a water-based upholstery cleaning product. This type of fabric can also, in some cases, be steam cleaned, but you should check with a professional before steam cleaning it.
S: This means the fabric may be cleaned with a solvent-based product only. This means no water or detergent! You want to avoid using water or anything with water in it because it can cause fabric to shrink or bleed. It is generally recommended that you spot clean fabrics marked as S.
SW or WS: These fabrics can be cleaned with both water-based and solvent-based cleaning products. It is recommended that you avoid saturating the fabric.
X: This type of fabric can only be vacuumed or brushed with a non-metal brush. If you see a stain, it’s recommended you call a professional to help remove it.
Note: Even if your fabric is marked with a W or SW / WS, we suggest using distilled water only since your water may contain minerals that affect your furniture fabric. This is especially true in any area with very hard water!
Spraying your furniture
Once you’ve checked the clean code, or with the manufacturer directly, the next step is to test the application in a discreet area of your furniture, where you and other people won’t see the result. This will mitigate the risk if something happens to go wrong and your fabric is damaged.
Also, if you plan on using any type of solvent, make sure to ventilate the area, both for your health and your family’s. Moreover, don’t apply solvents if you have animals nearby. Definitely move your kids and furry babies into another room before applying any solvent!!
Once you determine the best cleaning method for your upholstery, apply it accordingly. We don’t want to be too specific here because there are so many different products and opinions about how to use them.
However, you generally don’t want to saturate your fabric or let any sort of cleaning agent dry in your fabric. So, once you start the process, be prepared to finish in one setting and dry your fabric as soon as possible.
2. Clean the surface of your furniture
So, you’ve sprayed your furniture upholstery down. The next step is to clean the surface. A soft brush combined with a microfiber towel is great for this purpose, as together, they will loosen dirt and lift debris from the fabric.
If you prefer, rags also work, but you’ll need several of them so that you can switch to a clean one as needed and avoid rubbing dirt back into the fabric.
Beyond this, you want to work in circular motions. As you rub the surface, you’ll notice the dirt and grime being absorbed into your cloth. If your furniture upholstery is very dirty, you might need to go over the same areas a few times, switching to a clean cloth as needed.
3. Dry your furniture
Once done, you’ll want to ventilate your space and dry your furniture. You can open your windows or use a fan to speed up this process. Using a fan is convenient, fast, and effective.
And that’s it!
Now, let’s look at the deeper cleaning approach.
The deeper cleaning approach
1. Test the furniture carefully before starting
For the deeper cleaning approach, you want to test your furniture (forgive the redundancy, but it’s part of the process!) This includes first checking the care label/product information tag or contacting the manufacturer.
Once you’re confident about what to do, you can test your furniture by spraying a hidden area with distilled water or a cleaning product to see how the fabric reacts. If you notice browning or watermarks, stop! At this point, it would be a good idea to contact the manufacturer or consult a professional cleaner.
Testing Various Approaches
During the deeper testing phase, there are lots of approaches you can potentially take, depending on your fabric. Here are some common methods people use.
Stain removers and hydrogen peroxide:
Some homeowners get great results with stain removers that have been diluted with hydrogen peroxide. However, you DON’T want to let anything with hydrogen peroxide dry, as this can lighten the fabric and harm it.
Distilled water and baking soda:
Another example is simply using distilled water and baking soda. You can lightly apply baking soda over the surface, scrub it in, vacuum it, and optionally apply some rubbing alcohol afterward. Baking soda is a good way to remove bad smells, which makes it useful because furniture fabric often holds onto smells.
Distilled white vinegar and Dawn dish soap:
Some homeowners get good results with distilled white vinegar and Dawn dish soap. You can mix the distilled white vinegar with a couple drops of Dawn dish soap into a bowl and then use a brush to scrub your furniture fabric.
Water, dawn soap, and peroxide:
Some people have luck removing stains with this method. You can use a white rag to wipe down your fabric or a microfiber cloth. Baby wipes can also be effective.
Sparkling water and white vinegar:
You can use a cup of sparkling water and white vinegar to help lift dirt and residue to the surface. The vinegar also helps break down grime and neutralize odors.
2. Decide whether you want to dry clean
After testing, you might decide against applying any sort of water-based product to your furniture, which is completely understandable!
In this case, you’ll need an alternative. Dry cleaning methods are often a good solution, and they can be surprisingly effective at removing built-up dirt from your upholstery.
To test whether your furniture needs to be dry cleaned, gently beat or brush the fabric to help release any dust or debris hidden within the fibers. This simple step can reveal just how much grime has collected over time.
3. Vacuum your upholstery before cleaning
Now, you might decide you want to do more than just dry clean, in which case, it’s still important to start by vacuuming your furniture.
Vacuuming helps remove dirt, crumbs, and debris that water or cleaning products alone won’t pick up. It also prevents you from rubbing particles deeper into the fabric during the cleaning process.
For best results, use a vacuum attachment designed for upholstery. A flat extender works well because you can run it smoothly along the surface of the fabric.
4. Scrub with a brush or towel
After vacuuming, apply your chosen cleaner to the upholstery, then gently scrub the fabric using a soft brush or a clean towel. The goal is to work the cleaner into the material without damaging the fibers.
Use light, even pressure, and focus on areas with visible stains or heavy soil. Take your time and avoid oversaturating the fabric as you clean.
5. Apply a microfiber towel or machine to the surface
Once you’ve scrubbed the fabric, remove the leftover cleaner and loosened dirt by lightly misting the fabric with warm water from a spray bottle, then gently blotting it with a microfiber towel. Microfiber is ideal because it’s highly absorbent and helps lift the remaining dirt from the fabric without leaving lint behind.
If you have access to an upholstery cleaning machine or extractor, even better. These machines typically have attachments that spray water while simultaneously extracting moisture and debris from the fabric. Running the machine over your upholstery helps flush out the cleaner and any embedded grime.
6. Dry your furniture
Again, you’ll need to dry your furniture, and the quicker, the better.
You can speed up the drying process by placing a fan nearby, opening windows for better airflow, or even using a dehumidifier if the room is humid. Avoid sitting on or using the furniture until it’s completely dry.
7. Use a lint trimmer if necessary
If you notice pilling on your furniture fabric—those little fuzz balls that develop over time—a lint trimmer can help restore a smooth, clean look. Gently run the trimmer over the surface, working in circular motions or following the fabric’s grain. This will carefully remove the pills without damaging the material underneath.
Taking the time to remove pilling can make your upholstery look refreshed and almost like new.
8. Apply fabric protector if necessary
This step isn’t always required, but if your fabric type allows—and the manufacturer recommends it—applying a fabric protector can be a smart move. It adds a layer of protection that helps repel stains, spills, and everyday dirt.
Before spraying, lay down a protective cloth or drop cloth to shield the surrounding area. Apply the fabric protector in light, even coats, and let each layer dry completely before applying another if needed.
What NOT to do when you clean upholstery
Here’s a list of recommendations:
• Never apply anything to your furniture upholstery without first checking the clean code or confirming with the manufacturer.
• Avoid using brushes that are too stiff, as this can cause pilling of the fibers.
• Avoid colored cloths when wiping your furniture fabric, as the color may bleed into your fabric! Use white cloth only.
• Don’t apply solvents without ventilating your space.
• Don’t apply solvents when you have kids or pets nearby.
• Don’t saturate your fabrics with cleaning products.
• Don’t let hydrogen peroxide dry on your fabric.
• Preferably don’t use tap water when cleaning your furniture fabric because there may be minerals in the water that affect your furniture. Distilled water is preferred!
How to clean upholstered furniture – conclusion
Cleaning upholstered furniture doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but it does take a little care and attention.
With these tips, you’ll have a better idea of how to clean upholstered furniture safely and effectively. And if you ever feel unsure, or if you want your upholstery to look its absolute best, Redesign Upholstery is here to help.
» MORE: Everyday life can be tough on fabrics. If you’re looking for furniture that’s easier to maintain in the long run, check out our article: 5 Best Pet Friendly Furniture Fabrics + Good for Kids. It’s full of great fabric options designed to hold up against spills, stains, and everyday wear and tear.
» MORE: When cleaning a fabric, you might want to know whether it’s durable. If you’re interested to know the durability of your fabric, see Durable Fabrics: How Long They Last + How To Test Durability
