Cleaning your sofa by fabric, and lifetime maintenance
Most stains come out if you handle them right in the first minute. Before any cleaner, find your fabric’s cleaning code.
The numbers at a glance
The cleaning code: the first thing to look for
Most upholstery fabrics carry one of four codes that tell you what to clean them with.[3] If you don’t know your sofa’s code, ask whoever sold it to you before you try any cleaner.
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| W | Water-based or foam upholstery cleaner. No solvents.[1][3] |
| S | Water-free solvent cleaner only.[1][3] |
| W-S | Either one.[2][3] |
| X | Vacuum or light brushing only, no cleaner at all.[1][3] Bissell says “professional cleaning only”.[5] |
Sources differ on X: some say vacuum and brush only, Bissell says professional cleaning only. Either way: no water and no cleaner at home.
The stain: what to do
| The stain | What to do |
|---|---|
| Any fresh spill | Blot at once with a clean white cloth. Dab, don’t rub, from the edge to the centre.[2] |
| Food, juice, soft drinks | Neutral soap and water, if the code is W or W-S.[1] |
| Ink, cosmetics, shoe polish | May need a solvent cleaner, if the code is S or W-S.[1] |
| Crumbs and dust in bouclé | Vacuum gently with a soft brush.[6] |
| Pressure marks on velvet | Steam on the lowest heat and brush, without holding the steamer in one spot.[7][8] |
| A spill on leather | Blot toward the centre without rubbing.[10] |
In every case, use only a little cleaner, because soaking can damage the backing and foam underneath.[2] Work from the outside in so the stain doesn’t leave a ring.[1]
Everyday care
Vacuum once a week with the upholstery brush, and not at full power, because strong suction can damage the cover.[4] Sources differ: some say every two weeks is enough. Turn and rotate removable cushions now and then so they wear evenly, and keep the sofa out of direct sun.[2] Have it professionally cleaned once or twice a year.[2][4]
Each fabric has its own way
Bouclé: vacuum gently with a soft brush so dirt doesn’t settle into the loops, and avoid harsh cleaners and bleach.[6]
Velvet: pressure marks are normal.[8] Lift them with a handheld steamer on its lowest heat while brushing the pile up, and don’t hold the steamer in one spot for more than a few seconds.[7] Test any cleaner on a hidden spot for 24 hours first.[8]
Linen: professional cleaning is recommended in most cases, especially for fixed covers or grease and red-wine stains. If the covers come off, a delicate cycle at 30°C at most, with no tumble drying.[9]
Leather: use cleaning and conditioning products that suit the leather type, keep it out of sun,[10] and keep it at least 30 cm from radiators and heat so it doesn’t dry and crack.[1]
Steam: not for every fabric
Sources differ here. IKEA says steam suits fabric sofas once you’ve checked the maker’s instructions,[4] La-Z-Boy doesn’t recommend it even for W fabrics,[1] and steam is off-limits for S and X fabrics.[3] The rule: don’t steam unless the piece’s instructions say you can.
Lifetime maintenance
Every NOAH piece comes with lifetime maintenance; the details are on the warranty page. If a stain won’t come out, talk to us before you try a stronger cleaner.
Pieces in this article
Questions we hear often
How do I get a stain out of a fabric sofa?
Blot it at once with a white cloth without rubbing, then clean for the fabric’s code: neutral soap and water for W, a solvent cleaner for S.
How do I clean a bouclé sofa?
Vacuum gently with a soft brush, blot spills quickly, and avoid harsh cleaners and bleach.
Can I steam clean my sofa?
Not every fabric. Steam is off-limits for S and X fabrics, and not every maker recommends it even for W. Check the piece’s instructions first.
How often should I clean my sofa?
Vacuum once a week or every two weeks, and deep clean once or twice a year.
Want a hand choosing?
Send us the room and door measurements, or a photo of the space, on WhatsApp and we’ll help you choose. If you’d rather sit on the piece first, both showrooms are open every day.
New Cairo Showroom
Street 26, New Cairo
Sat – Thu: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM · Fri: 1:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Directions on the map ↗Nasr City Showroom
113 Mostafa El-Nahaas St., Nasr City
Sat – Thu: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM · Fri: 1:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Directions on the map ↗Sources
The methods in this article come from these references. The maker’s instructions for your piece’s fabric always come first.
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Fabric & Leather CareCare guide · La-Z-Boy. Used for: cleaning codes W, S, W-S and X, water-based stains (food, juice, soft drinks) with neutral soap and water, oil-based stains (ink, cosmetics) possibly needing a solvent cleaner, pretesting on a hidden spot, cleaning from the outside in, and keeping leather 30 cm (12 in) from heat.
Open the source on la-z-boy.com ↗ -
Fabric & Upholstery Care and CleaningCare guide · Room & Board. Used for: blotting a stain at once with a clean white cloth without rubbing, using little cleaner, working from the edge to the centre; turning cushions, keeping fabric out of sun, and professional cleaning once a year.
Open the source on roomandboard.com ↗ -
Cleaning Codes for Upholstery Fabric: W, S, WS, X ExplainedArticle · Michael Jon Designs · 21 April 2026. Used for: the meaning of the four codes, and steam being off-limits for S and X fabrics.
Open the source on michaeljondesigns.com ↗ -
Guide: Cleaning upholsteryGuide · IKEA Switzerland. Used for: vacuuming weekly with the upholstery brush and not at full power, dabbing liquids without rubbing, deep cleaning once or twice a year, and steam only after checking the maker’s instructions.
Open the source on ikea.com ↗ -
How to Clean UpholsteryGuide · Bissell. Used for: defining code X as “professional cleaning only”, which differs from other sources.
Open the source on bissell.com ↗ -
What is Bouclé Furniture and Why It’s TrendingArticle · Castlery · 20 March 2024. Used for: vacuuming bouclé gently with a soft brush, blotting spills quickly, and avoiding harsh cleaners and bleach.
Open the source on castlery.com ↗ -
How to Clean a Velvet Couch; A Modern GuideGuide · Article. Used for: lifting pressure marks on velvet with a steamer on its lowest heat against the pile, without holding it in one spot.
Open the source on article.com ↗ -
How to take care of your velvet sofaArticle · Darlings of Chelsea · 25 June 2018. Used for: pressure marks on velvet being normal, and testing any cleaner on a hidden spot for 24 hours first.
Open the source on darlingsofchelsea.co.uk ↗ -
How to take care of your linen sofaGuide · Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp · 2023. Used for: professional cleaning for linen in most cases, and removable covers on a delicate cycle at 30°C at most, with no tumble drying.
Open the source on allianceflaxlinenhemp.eu ↗ -
Leather Furniture Care and CleaningCare guide · Room & Board. Used for: cleaning and conditioning products that suit the leather type, blotting toward the centre, and keeping it out of sun.
Open the source on roomandboard.com ↗
Every NOAH piece carries a 5-year warranty + lifetime maintenance.