W, S, WS, X: How to Read the Cleaning Code on Your Sofa

Somewhere on your sofa, usually under a seat cushion or stapled to the deck underneath, there’s a small tag with a single letter or two on it. Most people never look at it. It’s the most important piece of information you have about cleaning that sofa.

Here’s how to read it, and what to do when someone spills red wine on it at 11pm.

The four codes

Code	Means	Safe to use	Avoid
W	Water-based cleaning	Mild water-based upholstery cleaner, distilled water	Over-wetting, harsh detergents
S	Solvent only	Water-free dry-cleaning solvent, in small amounts	Any water, including “gentle” sprays
W/S or SW	Either	Water-based or solvent, after a test	Soaking it
X	Vacuum only	Vacuuming, soft brushing	Any liquid cleaner at all

W: water is fine (within reason)

W fabrics are the easy ones: most polyesters, nylons, olefins and many performance fabrics. You can spot-clean them with a mild water-based upholstery cleaner. Use as little liquid as you can, blot rather than scrub, and let the area dry with good airflow. Even W fabrics can water-ring if you soak them.

S: no water, really

S fabrics can shrink, ring, bleed or brown when they get wet. You’ll often see S on microfiber, many natural fibers, rayon and viscose blends, and some velvets. The safe home option is a small amount of water-free dry-cleaning solvent on a white cloth, blotted gently. Ventilate the room, and test somewhere hidden first.

The classic mistake: someone spills coffee on an S sofa, attacks it with a wet cloth, and ends up with a faint brown ring that’s bigger than the original stain. If that’s happened, stop. Don’t keep wetting it.

W/S: you have options

Either method can work, but test first. For greasy marks (body oils, makeup, food), solvent usually does better. For water-based spills (juice, coffee, pet accidents), a water-based cleaner usually works better.

X: vacuum only

X fabrics shouldn’t be cleaned with any liquid at all, not even by a professional using water-based methods. Vacuum gently with an upholstery brush. For anything more, talk to a specialist.

What if there’s no tag?

Older furniture, vintage pieces and custom upholstery often have no code. In that case, treat it as if it were S until you know otherwise. A professional can usually identify the fiber and test a hidden spot before deciding.

Fabrics we see a lot, and their quirks

• Performance fabrics (Crypton, Sunbrella and similar): built for spills, usually W or W/S. Still collect body oils.
• Microfiber: often S. Water can leave spots; it brushes back up nicely after solvent cleaning.
• Linen and cotton: breathable and beautiful, and prone to water rings and browning if over-wet.
• Velvet: pile can crush. Never rub; brush with the nap.
• Viscose and rayon blends: soft and shiny, and the most delicate. They weaken and brown when wet.
• Leather: has its own care rules. Finished leather can be cleaned and conditioned; suede and unfinished leather are specialty items.

Spill first aid for any sofa

1. Blot immediately with a clean white cloth. Don’t rub.
2. Scrape off anything solid with a dull knife or spoon.
3. Check the tag before you put anything on it.
4. Test your cleaner on a hidden spot (the back or underneath).
5. Work from the outside in, so you don’t spread the stain.
6. Stop if the color transfers to your cloth, or the fabric starts to ring.

And please don’t throw zippered cushion covers in the washing machine. Those zippers are usually there for the factory, not for laundry, and covers often shrink or fade so they won’t fit or match again.

When to call a professional

• Anything coded S or X with a real stain on it.
• Body-oil buildup on arms and headrests. It darkens slowly, and you don’t notice until you see it side by side with a clean cushion.
• Pet urine, especially if it may have reached the foam.
• A sofa that just smells, even when it looks fine.

Our upholstery cleaning starts with exactly this: reading the tag, testing a hidden spot, and choosing the method that suits the fabric. Low-moisture extraction for water-safe fabrics, solvent cleaning for the rest.

We clean sofas, sectionals, dining chairs and headboards across Los Angeles, from linen slipcovers in Beverly Hills to vintage mid-century pieces in Los Feliz. Ask for a quote or call (213) 317-6137, and tell us what the tag says.