A knocked-over glass, crumbs or small traces of everyday life: stains on your sofa, armchair or dining chair are hard to avoid completely. What matters is reacting quickly and, above all, correctly – because how an upholstery fabric can be cleaned depends on the material and how it is made.
Caring for different upholstery fabrics
Wool, cotton, linen or synthetic fibres: every upholstery fabric has different properties. So always check the manufacturer's care instructions before cleaning.
For regular care, it's enough with many upholstered pieces to carefully remove dust and crumbs with a suitable upholstery attachment on a low suction setting.
Removing stains from upholstered furniture
If you spill something, act as quickly as possible. Carefully soak up the liquid with a clean, absorbent cloth. Always dab rather than rub, so that the stain doesn't go deeper into the fabric.
You can carefully lift off any solid dirt first. Before using water or a cleaning product, check that it's suitable for the upholstery fabric. It's best to test new cleaning products on an inconspicuous area first.
Pilling, pressure marks and shading
Not every change to the cover is a stain. Small bobbles on the surface are known as pilling and can occur on many textiles as a result of friction. Depending on the fabric, you can carefully remove them with a suitable fabric shaver.
Fabrics with a pile can also show pressure marks or shading. Depending on how the light falls, some areas look lighter or darker. This is a typical characteristic of certain upholstery fabrics and not necessarily a quality defect.
Take care with stubborn stains
Red wine, ink and other heavy stains can quickly tempt you to try various household remedies. With high-quality upholstered furniture, this is best avoided. Alcohol, vinegar or harsh cleaners can permanently change the colour and fibres.
For stubborn stains, use a suitable specialist product or hire a professional upholstery cleaning service.
