When you opt for professional upholstery cleaning for your furniture, you are trusting a technician to use the correct cleaning method to safely and effectively clean the fabric without causing any damage. But how does a technician know which method is safe for your specific sofa or armchair? They start by looking for a small but incredibly important piece of information: the manufacturer’s cleaning code. This code, typically found on a tag under one of the cushions, is a simple letter or combination of letters that serves as a crucial guide to the type of cleaning agents that can be safely used on that fabric. Understanding these codes is essential for any professional cleaner and can be helpful for homeowners to know why one piece of furniture may require a different cleaning process than another.
What Are Upholstery Cleaning Codes?
The cleaning code is a standardized system created by the furniture and textile industry to prevent cleaning-related damage. The codes tell the cleaner whether the fabric is safe to be cleaned with water-based solutions, solvent-based solutions, a combination of both, or neither. Using the wrong type of cleaning agent on a specific fabric can lead to disastrous and irreversible damage, such as severe color bleeding, shrinkage, texture distortion, or large water rings.
Decoding the Letters: The Four Primary Codes
Here’s what the four primary cleaning codes mean:
- Code “W” (Water-Based Cleaner): If your furniture has a “W” code, it means it is safe to be cleaned with water-based cleaning agents. This is the most common code and applies to many durable synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, as well as some cotton and linen blends. A professional will typically use a gentle, water-based upholstery shampoo and the hot water extraction method to clean this type of fabric.
- Code “S” (Solvent-Based Cleaner): If your furniture has an “S” code, it means it must be cleaned with a water-free, solvent-based cleaner only. The “S” stands for solvent. Using water on an “S” code fabric can cause severe damage, including browning, water rings, and shrinkage. These fabrics are often delicate natural fibers like silk, certain types of rayon, velvet, or damask. A professional will use a special dry-cleaning solvent and a specific application and extraction method for these delicate fabrics.
- Code “W/S” (Water- or Solvent-Based Cleaner): This code indicates that the fabric is versatile and can be safely cleaned with either water-based or solvent-based cleaners. A professional technician will still test the fabric and will choose the method that they believe will be most effective for the specific type of soiling present on the furniture.
- Code “X” (Vacuum Only): This is the most restrictive and least common code. An “X” code means the fabric is extremely delicate and should not be cleaned with any liquid cleaning agent at all, whether it’s water- or solvent-based. The only recommended cleaning method for an “X” code fabric is light brushing and thorough vacuuming. Attempting to use a liquid cleaner on this type of fabric will likely cause shrinking, texture distortion, or other permanent damage.
As textile care resources and home improvement sites often explain, identifying the fiber content and the cleaning code is the absolute first step in any professional cleaning process to ensure a safe and effective outcome.
Why Professional Cleaning is Essential
A professional upholstery cleaner is trained to locate and correctly interpret these codes. They have the knowledge and, most importantly, the full range of both water-based and solvent-based cleaning solutions to safely clean your furniture according to the manufacturer’s specific instructions. A homeowner with a rental machine only has access to a water-based cleaner, and using it on an “S” code fabric would be a catastrophic and costly mistake.
Your Upholstery Cleaning Professionals in Los Angeles and Santa Clarita
Your upholstered furniture is a major investment. Don’t risk damaging it with the wrong cleaning method. Trust the experts who understand the science of fabric care. For homeowners in the Los Angeles and Santa Clarita areas, the experienced team at AAA1 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning has the expertise to safely and effectively clean all types of fabrics. We provide professional furniture upholstery cleaning. Contact us today for a free estimate.
