Upholstery Cleaning Guide: Sofas, Chairs, and More

Key Takeaways

• Check the cleaning code tag on your furniture before attempting any cleaning: W (water safe), S (solvent only), WS (either), or X (professional only).
• Vacuum upholstery weekly to prevent soil buildup that grinds into fabric and causes premature wear.
• Professional upholstery cleaning costs $100 to $200 per sofa and $50 to $100 per chair, with best results from hot water extraction or dry cleaning depending on fabric type.
• Bundle with carpet cleaning to save on service call fees since the technician and equipment are already at your home.
• Oregon's rainy season means more time spent on furniture indoors, accelerating soiling and wear. Clean upholstery at least once yearly.
• Pet hair and dander accumulate rapidly on upholstery. Oregon pet owners should clean furniture every 6 months.

Need professional upholstery cleaning? Contact Otesse for a free estimate on sofa, chair, and furniture cleaning across Oregon.

Understanding Upholstery Cleaning Codes

Before you clean any upholstered furniture, you need to check the manufacturer's cleaning code. This code, found on a tag typically located under the seat cushions or on the underside of the furniture frame, tells you exactly what cleaning methods are safe for the fabric.

Code W: Water-Based Cleaning

This is the most common code on modern upholstery. It means you can safely use water-based cleaning solutions, including steam cleaning and most household upholstery cleaners. Fabrics with this code include most cotton, polyester, nylon, and microfiber upholstery. Water-based cleaning is effective and affordable, making W-coded furniture the easiest to maintain.

Code S: Solvent-Based Cleaning Only

This code means water will damage the fabric, potentially causing shrinking, water marks, color bleeding, or texture changes. Only dry cleaning solvents should be used. Fabrics commonly bearing this code include silk, rayon, certain velvets, and some designer fabrics. If your furniture has an S code, professional dry cleaning is strongly recommended. Attempting water-based cleaning on S-coded fabric can cause permanent damage.

Code WS: Water or Solvent Safe

The most versatile code, meaning either water-based or solvent-based cleaning methods can be used safely. This gives you the most flexibility for DIY cleaning and professional treatment. Many mid-range and higher-end upholstery fabrics carry this code.

Code X: Professional Cleaning or Vacuuming Only

This is the most restrictive code. No water, no solvents, no DIY cleaning solutions. The fabric can only be vacuumed or cleaned by a professional with specialized equipment. Fabrics with this code are typically delicate or easily damaged. If you attempt any wet cleaning on X-coded furniture, you risk permanent damage with no recourse.

What If There Is No Tag?

If the cleaning code tag is missing or illegible, always test any cleaning method on a hidden area first, such as the back of the furniture near the bottom or under a cushion. Apply a small amount of your chosen cleaning solution, let it sit for 10 minutes, then blot dry and check for color changes, shrinking, or texture damage. Wait until the test spot is fully dry before proceeding with the full cleaning.

Routine Upholstery Maintenance

Regular maintenance between professional cleanings keeps your furniture looking better, lasting longer, and contributing to healthier indoor air quality. For Oregon homes where people spend more time indoors during the rainy season, upholstery maintenance matters even more.

Weekly Vacuuming

Vacuum all upholstered furniture once a week using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Pay special attention to:

• Seat cushions: Vacuum the tops, sides, and if removable, underneath each cushion.
• Crevices: Use the crevice tool along seams, between cushions, and along the junction of the back and seat. This is where crumbs, pet hair, dust, and debris accumulate fastest.
• Back and arms: These areas collect body oils, hair products, and skin cells that attract and hold dust.
• Under cushions: Remove seat cushions monthly and vacuum the platform beneath. You may be surprised by what has accumulated.

For homes with pets, vacuum upholstery 2 to 3 times per week. Pet hair and dander build up rapidly, and once embedded into fabric fibers, they become much harder to remove. A lint roller is useful for quick pet hair removal between vacuuming sessions.

Immediate Spot Cleaning

When spills happen, speed is everything. The first 30 seconds to 2 minutes after a spill determine whether it becomes a simple wipe-up or a permanent stain. Follow these universal steps:

1. Blot immediately with clean white paper towels or cloth. Never rub, which pushes the spill deeper into the fabric and can spread the stain.
2. Work from outside in to prevent the stain from spreading beyond its current boundary.
3. Apply appropriate cleaner based on your furniture's cleaning code. For W or WS codes, a mild dish soap solution (one teaspoon clear soap in one quart of warm water) works for most fresh stains.
4. Blot dry and allow the area to air dry completely. Point a fan at the spot to speed drying, especially during Oregon's humid months.

Cushion Flipping and Rotation

If your sofa or chair has reversible cushions, flip and rotate them every 2 to 4 weeks. This distributes wear evenly across all cushion surfaces, preventing the "crushed" look that develops when the same side is always facing up. Uneven wear is one of the leading causes of premature furniture replacement.

DIY Deep Cleaning Methods

Between professional cleanings, you can deep clean your upholstery at home with the right approach for your fabric type.

Cleaning W and WS Code Fabrics

Dish Soap Method (Safest for Most Fabrics)

1. Vacuum the entire piece thoroughly first.
2. Mix one tablespoon of clear liquid dish soap with one quart of warm water.
3. Dip a clean white microfiber cloth into the solution and wring it until barely damp.
4. Gently wipe the fabric in the direction of the grain or nap, working in small sections.
5. Rinse your cloth frequently in clean water to avoid redepositing soil.
6. Follow with a clean damp cloth (water only) to remove soap residue.
7. Allow to air dry completely with good ventilation.

Baking Soda Refresh (For Odors)

If your upholstery smells stale or absorbs cooking odors, a baking soda treatment can help:

1. Vacuum the furniture thoroughly.
2. Sprinkle a thin, even layer of baking soda over all fabric surfaces.
3. Let sit for 15 to 30 minutes (or up to overnight for strong odors).
4. Vacuum thoroughly to remove all baking soda residue.

This is safe for most fabric types and is especially useful during Oregon's winter when homes are sealed and indoor odors concentrate. Baking soda absorbs odor molecules rather than masking them, providing genuine freshening rather than a temporary cover-up.

Cleaning S Code Fabrics

For solvent-only fabrics, your DIY options are more limited:

• Dry cleaning solvent: Available at home improvement stores, these solvents clean without introducing water. Apply to a clean white cloth and gently blot stains. Never pour solvent directly onto the fabric.
• Rubbing alcohol: Isopropyl alcohol can work on some S-coded fabrics, particularly microfiber marked with an S code. Test in a hidden area first. Apply with a spray bottle, scrub gently with a white brush, and let dry.

Critical warning: Use solvent cleaners in a well-ventilated area. Open windows if possible. These products produce fumes that can cause headaches and respiratory irritation in enclosed spaces. During Oregon's rainy season when opening windows is impractical, consider scheduling solvent cleaning for a day when the weather allows ventilation.

Professional Upholstery Cleaning Services

While DIY methods handle routine maintenance well, professional cleaning delivers a depth of clean that home methods simply cannot match. For Oregon homeowners, professional upholstery cleaning should be part of your annual home maintenance plan.

Professional Cleaning Methods

Hot Water Extraction (Steam Cleaning) for Upholstery

Similar to carpet steam cleaning but with specialized upholstery tools that control water volume and suction pressure to prevent over-wetting delicate fabrics. The process uses heated water and cleaning solution injected at lower pressure than carpet cleaning, followed by immediate high-suction extraction. This method works best for W and WS coded fabrics and provides the deepest clean available.

Dry Cleaning for Upholstery

Professional dry cleaning uses specialized solvents or very low moisture systems to clean S-coded fabrics safely. This is the only professional option for silk, certain velvets, and other water-sensitive upholstery. Dry times are minimal, with furniture ready for use within 1 to 2 hours.

Foam Cleaning

A specialized foam is applied to the fabric, agitated gently to lift soil, and then extracted with a vacuum system. This is a versatile method that works well for many fabric types and introduces less moisture than steam cleaning while cleaning more deeply than dry methods alone.

What Professional Upholstery Cleaning Costs

These prices reflect the Oregon market along the I-5 corridor. Portland-area prices tend toward the higher end, while Salem, Eugene, and mid-valley communities see prices at or below the midpoint. For specific pricing in your area, see our Oregon cleaning cost guide.

Save by Bundling with Carpet Cleaning

The smartest way to get your upholstery cleaned is to bundle it with your regular carpet cleaning appointment. Since the technician and equipment are already at your home, most companies, including Otesse, offer discounted rates for upholstery add-ons. Bundling typically saves 10% to 20% on the upholstery portion and eliminates a separate service call fee.

This is especially cost-effective when you schedule your annual summer deep clean. Have your carpets and upholstery done in the same visit, take advantage of Oregon's best drying conditions, and reset all your soft surfaces at once.

Care Tips by Fabric Type

Microfiber

Microfiber is one of the most popular upholstery fabrics in Oregon homes due to its durability and stain resistance. For regular cleaning, vacuum weekly and spot-clean with the appropriate method based on the cleaning code (most microfiber is W or S coded). For S-coded microfiber, rubbing alcohol applied with a spray bottle and scrubbed with a white brush works exceptionally well. After cleaning, brush the microfiber with a soft bristle brush to restore the nap.

Leather and Faux Leather

Leather upholstery requires different care than fabric. Dust or vacuum weekly with a soft brush attachment. Wipe down monthly with a slightly damp cloth. Apply a leather conditioner every 6 to 12 months to prevent drying and cracking. Oregon's fluctuating humidity levels can be harsh on leather. In winter, heated indoor air dries leather; in summer, it absorbs moisture. Conditioning helps maintain flexibility throughout the seasonal shifts.

Cotton and Linen

Natural fiber upholstery wrinkles easily and can shrink with excess moisture. These fabrics are usually W or WS coded. Use the least amount of moisture possible when cleaning and dry quickly with fans. Professional cleaning is recommended for heavy soiling since DIY methods risk over-wetting. Cotton and linen stain more easily than synthetics, so apply fabric protectant after cleaning.

Velvet

Velvet, whether natural (silk or cotton) or synthetic (polyester), requires careful handling. Vacuum using only the upholstery attachment with suction only, never a beater bar. Always brush and clean in the direction of the nap. Water spots are the most common damage to velvet, so blot any spills instantly and dry the area with a hairdryer on low heat. Professional cleaning is recommended for anything beyond light spot cleaning.

Oregon-Specific Upholstery Care Considerations

The Rainy Season Impact on Furniture

Oregon's 8-month rainy season affects upholstery in ways that residents of drier climates do not experience. When it rains for weeks on end and homes stay sealed, people spend significantly more time sitting on their furniture. This concentrated use accelerates soiling, wear, and compression of cushion filling. Additionally, higher indoor humidity during the rainy months means upholstery fabrics absorb more ambient moisture, which can trap odors and promote mildew in natural fabrics.

Mud Season Preparation

Oregon mud season, which runs from October through May along the I-5 corridor, introduces a steady stream of tracked-in soil that ends up on furniture as people sit down. Practical measures include:

• Place washable throw blankets or slipcovers on high-use furniture during mud season
• Keep a lint roller and spot cleaner within easy reach of the sofa
• Increase vacuuming frequency to twice weekly on furniture near entryways
• Apply fabric protectant before the rainy season begins to help repel soil and moisture

Pet-Related Furniture Care in Oregon

With over 60% of Oregon households owning pets, furniture takes significant pet-related wear. Between muddy paws, shedding fur, dander, and the occasional accident, pet owners should:

• Designate specific pet-friendly furniture pieces and protect them with washable covers
• Vacuum pet furniture 3 times per week minimum
• Keep enzyme cleaner on hand for any pet accidents on upholstery
• Schedule professional upholstery cleaning every 6 months for pet-use furniture
• Consider performance fabrics like Crypton or Sunbrella for new furniture purchases, which are designed to resist pet stains and odors

Get Your Upholstery Professionally Cleaned

Your furniture represents a significant investment. A quality sofa costs $1,000 to $3,000 or more, and regular professional cleaning extends its life by years while keeping it looking and smelling fresh. At Otesse, we clean all types of upholstered furniture using methods matched to your specific fabric type and cleaning code.

We serve homeowners across Oregon's I-5 corridor from Eugene to Portland. Bundle your upholstery cleaning with a carpet cleaning appointment for the best value.

Ready to refresh your furniture? Contact Otesse today or call 541-844-2585 for a free estimate. We will assess your furniture's fabric type and condition and recommend the safest, most effective cleaning approach. Transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and results you can see and feel.