Upholstery Fabric Cleaning Codes
Knowing how to clean your fabric is crucial in caring for your upholstery fabric. Using the wrong cleaning agent can deteriorate, discolor or shrink your fabric. For this reason Famcor Fabrics tries to provide you the cleaning codes of the fabric you are interested in or have purchased and can be found on the individual product pages with a link back to this page.
The following cleaning codes were adopted in 1969 as the industry standard. However, the following general cleaning guidelines should be noted first:
- Clean your fabric regularly by vacuum or brush to remove surface impurities (dust, dirt, pet hair, etc.).
- Always check the cleaning code of your fabric before deciding which cleaning products to use.
- Follow all the directions of your cleaning product and test it in a small inconspicuous (out of site) place on the piece of furniture (or identical sample fabric) you are cleaning before proceeding with the entire piece. Allow cleaning product to dry completely (if applicable) before making a decision whether to proceed or not.
Cleaning Codes
Code W
Spot clean only with water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Do not over wet. Do not use solvents to spot clean. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a non-metallic, stiff-bristle brush to restore appearance. Hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not a recommended cleaning method. Cushion covers should not be removed and laundered. To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff-bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle of the affected area to prevent circling. Use a professional furniture cleaning service when an overall soiled condition has been reached.
Code S
Spot clean only with a water-free cleaning solvent. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Do not saturate. DO NOT USE WATER. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a nonmetallic, stiff-bristle brush to restore appearance. Cushion covers should not be removed and dry-cleaned. To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff-bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle of the affected area to prevent circling. Overall cleaning by a professional furniture cleaning service is recommended.
Code WS
Spot clean with upholstery shampoo, foam from a mild detergent, or mild cleaning solvent. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Do not saturate. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a non-metallic, stiff-bristle brush to restore appearance. Hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not a recommended cleaning method. Cushion casings should not be removed and laundered or dry-cleaned. To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff-bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle of affected area to prevent circling. Use a professional furniture cleaning service when an overall soiled condition has been reached.
Code X
Clean only by vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff-bristle brush. DO NOT USE ANY WATER OR SOLVENT-BASED CLEANER.
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