The Meaning of Upholstery Cleaning Codes
Posted on January 20th, 2020 by Indian River Furniture.
Do you have dirt or stains on your upholstery that you aren’t sure how to get rid of? Most
decorator fabrics and upholstery pieces are labeled with cleaning codes. Before you tackle a
stain on your own, be sure to know the meaning behind the cleaning codes on your furniture
pieces. The most common cleaning codes include W, S, WS, and X.
Wet (W)
If your item is labeled W, this means that the use of wet cleaning, such as steam cleaning or hot
water extraction, should be used to clean your furniture. This is not the same as being machine
washable. You can spot clean your fabric with a water-based shampoo or foam upholstery
cleaner, but be careful to avoid over-wetting the stain.
Solvent (S)
If labeled S, use only solvent-based cleaners to clean your fabric. Wetting items labeled S may
leave permanent water rings or shrink the material. Using solvents, however, breaks down oily
spots and leaves the area dry. Vacuum after using solvents to remove the soil that has been
separated from the fabric. Avoid using cleaning products containing carbon tetrachloride as it is
highly toxic.
Wet Cleaning and Solvent Cleaning (WS)
Fabrics labeled WS use both cleaning methods on different spots. Oily areas should be cleaned
with solvents and water-based cleaners should be used on water-based spots. Try wet cleaning
methods first as they will usually remove the stain. If not, try solvents next. These fabrics can be
spot cleaned with upholstery shampoo, foam from a mild detergent, or a mild dry cleaning
solvent.
No Cleaning (X)
The fabrics are not meant to be cleaned when labeled X. They are only meant to be vacuumed
and brushed to remove dry soils. The manufacturer does not recommend cleaning the fabric
because shrinking, staining, or distortion of the surface pile may occur.
Unmarked
If your fabric is unmarked, test cleaning agents on an area of the furniture that will not be seen
before using. Read the product label carefully. If you can identify the manufacturer, contact them
for proper cleaning instructions.
Indian River Furniture
Indian River Furniture is famous in Central Florida for coastal, tropical, and cottage; perfect for
your Florida home and lifestyle. Our room displays change weekly, so you’ll want to come in
often to see the newest furniture styles, fabrics, finishes, and colors. We also have the biggest
and best selection of Made in America furniture and accessories on the Space Coast.
Contact us today!Tags: cleaning codes, cleaning upholstery, cocoa beach furniture, cocoa beach furniture stores, furniture store florida, indian river furniture, interior design, upholstery cleaning codes
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