As costly as new furniture can be, knowing how to maintain the cleanliness and appearance of your upholstered furniture can be beneficial to your bottom line. Having upholstered furniture adds to the beauty and atmosphere of your home, but it also needs to be cleaned and taken care of properly. It would be so convenient to be able to pull the fabric off of our upholstered furniture and just throw it in the washer, much like we do the sheets off our bedding. However, upholstered furniture does not make this practical. There are two basic rules for cleaning upholstery. Loose dirt and stains are the two most common culprits in dirtying your furniture, so knowing how to deal with these two will allow you to clean them up effectively. When it comes to loose dirt, you can just vacuum or brush it away. Remember to do this as quickly as possible, though, before the dirt gets embedded in the fabric. As for cleaning up stains and spills, you can use a dry cloth to soak up and wipe away the liquid. Cleaning codes are the single most important information to have concerning proper cleaning of your upholstery. They are printed on the label affixed to your upholstered product. Each and every fabric has its own specialized cleaning method, so you have to know what they are. Look for the cleaning codes on one of the tags attached on your furniture, as they will tell you how to properly clean your upholstery. If you can’t find the code, try cleaning a little spot in an inconspicuous area of the furniture to test for compatibility. There are four cleaning codes that are currently used by upholstery manufacturers. They are explained here: W – Vacuuming and light dusting are recommended. Use only water-based cleaning agents or foam from mild detergents or non-solvent upholstery shampoo. Apply the cleaning agent in a circular motion, using a soft cloth or brush. S – You can also vacuum or dust lightly. Use water-free cleaning solvents or dry-cleaning solutions for spot cleaning. Be sure to avoid using products with carbon tetrachloride. Use a soft cloth and clean the upholstery in a well-ventilated area. Getting the services of a professional cleaner is also recommended. WS – You can use any of the recommended methods above. Make sure to work in a well-ventilated area if you’re using solvents or dry-cleaning products. Avoid products with carbon tetrachloride. X – You must only clean your furniture by vacuuming or light dusting. Avoid using liquid cleaning agents of any kind. Using water-based cleaners or solvents may cause shrinking and/or damage the upholstery. It is recommended to clean your upholstery at least every two months, or once a month if possible. If you have a futon, try to flip the cushions over at least once a month, and wash the covers at the same time as well. You can use a piece of cardboard or a rubber spatula to remove excess foam. And remember to keep the material as dry as possible during cleaning; this will help keep the fabric from shrinking.