Why Furniture Has a Cleaning Code
Most upholstered furniture has a small fabric care tag tucked under a cushion or along the frame. On that tag is usually a single letter — or a short combination of letters — that tells you what type of cleaning product is safe to use on that specific fabric.
These codes exist because fabrics react differently to water and solvents. Using the wrong type of cleaner can shrink the fabric, cause discoloration, leave a water ring, or damage the fibers permanently. Checking the code before you clean anything is the single best way to avoid an easily preventable mistake.
Code W — Water-Based Cleaners
A W code means the fabric can generally be cleaned with a water-based cleaning solution or foam upholstery cleaner. This is the most common code on everyday fabrics like cotton, polyester blends, and many microfiber materials.
Even with a W code, it's worth testing any cleaner on a hidden area first — the underside of a cushion or the back of the piece — since dye and finish can vary between batches of the same fabric.
Code S — Solvent Only
An S code means the fabric should only be cleaned with a water-free, solvent-based cleaner — not water. Water can cause shrinkage, watermarks, or fading on S-coded fabrics like some silks, velvets, and delicate blends.
Because solvent cleaners can involve stronger chemicals and proper ventilation, S-coded pieces are usually a better candidate for professional cleaning than a DIY spot treatment.
Code WS — Water or Solvent
A WS code gives you the most flexibility: the fabric can generally tolerate either a water-based cleaner or a solvent-based one. This code is common on many blended fabrics designed to hold up to regular use.
Having two safe options doesn't mean any product will do — always check that whatever you're using is actually formulated as an upholstery cleaner, not a general household cleaner.
Code X — Vacuum Only, No Liquids
An X code means no liquid cleaner of any kind — water or solvent. These fabrics should only be cleaned with a vacuum (typically an upholstery attachment) or a light, dry brushing to lift surface dust and debris.
X-coded fabrics are often delicate or non-colorfast, so any liquid, including plain water, can cause visible damage. If an X-coded piece has a stain, that’s a job for a professional who can assess the fabric rather than a DIY liquid treatment.
What to Do If You Can't Find the Code
Cleaning tags aren't always easy to find, and some furniture — especially older pieces or ones bought secondhand — may not have one at all. If you can't locate a tag, check the manufacturer's website using the model or SKU number if you have it, since some brands list care codes online even when the physical tag is missing or worn off.
- Check under seat cushions, along the frame's underside, or near a zipper.
- Look up the model or SKU number on the manufacturer's website if a tag isn't present.
- If no code can be found, spot-test any product in a hidden area before using it more broadly.
- When in doubt, treat the fabric as if it were X-coded until you can confirm otherwise.
When to Call a Professional Instead of DIY
DIY cleaning codes are meant for spot treatment and general upkeep — a coffee spill, a light surface stain, routine dusting. They're not a substitute for a full deep clean, which reaches soil and residue embedded deeper in the fabric and cushion filling than a store-bought spray can.
If your furniture hasn't had a deep clean in a while, or a DIY attempt hasn't fully lifted a stain, a full upholstery cleaning uses professional-grade extraction equipment matched to your fabric's actual code — so you're not guessing with the wrong product.