What we clean
- Sofas & sectionalsIncluding the big family-room ones.
- Loveseats & reclinersFabric and finished leather.
- Dining chairsFabric seats and backs, one by one.
- Ottomans & benchesFootrests, window seats, poufs.
- HeadboardsUpholstered and tufted.
- Accent chairsVelvet, bouclé, linen and more.
First, the cleaning code on the tag
Almost every upholstered piece has a small tag (usually under a cushion or on the deck) with a cleaning code. It tells us what the fabric will tolerate, and it’s the first thing we look at.
| Code | What it means | How we clean it |
|---|---|---|
| W | Water-based cleaners are fine. | Low-moisture hot-water extraction with a fabric-safe rinse. |
| S | Solvent only. Water may leave rings or shrink it. | Dry-solvent cleaning. No water. |
| W/S | Either method works. | Whichever suits the soil, after a spot test. |
| X | Vacuum or brush only. | Dry soil removal only. We won’t wet-clean it. |
No tag? We identify the fabric and test a hidden area before deciding. Our guide to upholstery cleaning codes goes deeper, including what to do with a spill before we get there.
How we clean your upholstery
- Inspect and read the tag. Fabric, fill, construction, and any spots or odors you’re worried about.
- Test. A hidden-area check for colorfastness and shrinkage before anything goes on the visible fabric.
- Dry soil and hair removal. Crevices, seams and under cushions, where crumbs, sand and pet hair hide.
- Pre-treat. Arms, headrest areas and seat fronts, where body oils build up, plus individual spots.
- Clean by code. Low-moisture extraction for water-safe fabrics, solvent cleaning for the rest.
- Groom and dry. We brush the nap in one direction so it dries evenly, and set up airflow.
Fabrics we see a lot in LA homes
Performance fabrics
Crypton, Sunbrella and similar fabrics are made to shrug off spills. They still collect oils and dust, and they clean very well with extraction.
Microfiber
Common on family sofas and often coded “S”. Water can leave rings on some microfiber, so we usually clean it with solvent and brush it back up afterward.
Linen and cotton
Beautiful, breathable, and prone to water rings and browning if they’re over-wet or dry slowly. We use as little moisture as possible and make drying a priority.
Velvet, chenille and bouclé
Pile and texture fabrics can crush or matte. We clean gently and groom the nap while it dries so it doesn’t set in the wrong direction.
Viscose and rayon blends
Soft, shiny and the most delicate fabrics we see. They brown and lose strength when wet. These get a cautious approach, and sometimes the honest recommendation is dry cleaning only.
Pet hair and odors
Pet hair weaves itself into fabric, especially chenille and microfiber, so we remove as much as we can dry before any cleaning. Odor usually lives in the body oils on the fabric and in whatever has soaked into the cushions. We clean those out at the source instead of covering them with fragrance.
Keeping it clean afterward
- Vacuum the sofa weekly with an upholstery brush, especially the crevices.
- Blot spills, never rub, and check the tag before using any spot cleaner.
- Flip and rotate cushions every month or two so they wear and fade evenly.
- Throw a blanket over the dog’s favorite spot. It’s cheaper than cleaning the sofa.
What cleaning can’t fix
Sun fading is lost dye, not dirt. Pilling and worn spots are fabric wear. Some old water rings, especially on “S” fabrics someone tried to clean with water, can’t be fully reversed. We’ll tell you what to expect before we start.
