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Quick guide

Sofa care label codes: what W, S, WS and X mean

The care label on a sofa usually carries a single letter that decides which product is safe and which one can leave a water ring or ruin the fabric. Here is what each code means, where to look for the label and how to test a product before using it. This guide is indicative: if the label or the manufacturer's manual says otherwise, the manufacturer decides.

What each code means

Upholstery cleaning codes, what they allow and what to avoid
Code What it says What you can use What to avoid
W Clean with water-based products. A water-based upholstery foam or cleaner, applied with a cloth or soft brush that is only slightly damp. Dry-cleaning solvents, and soaking the fabric: moisture that reaches the filling takes a long time to leave.
S Clean with solvents only, in other words dry cleaning. Dry-cleaning products made for upholstery, in a ventilated room and in small amounts. Water, steam and water-based foams: they can leave rings or change the texture of the fabric.
WS Allows water-based products or solvents. Either type. Start with the gentler one and always test on a hidden spot first. Mixing products of different types on the same stain.
X No cleaning product is allowed. Vacuum and brush lightly with a soft brush. Nothing else. Water, steam and solvents. For a stain, send photos to an upholstery cleaning company.

If there is no label or you cannot read it

Treat the sofa as if it were X: vacuum it, do not apply liquids and, if there is a stain, take photos of the fabric and the area and ask a cleaning company before trying anything. If you know the model and the manufacturer, they help you find the original care instructions.

Where the label usually is

  • Under the seat cushions, sewn to the base fabric.
  • On the underside of the seat or the frame, when you turn the sofa over or lift it slightly.
  • On the back of the backrest, near a corner or the zip.
  • Inside removable covers and loose cushions. They can carry a different code from the frame.

How to check a product before you use it

  1. Find the label

    Look for the care label in the places listed above, on the sofa and also on each cushion or removable cover.

  2. Photograph the code

    Take a photo of the whole label and note the code. If you later ask a company for help, that photo saves them questions.

  3. Vacuum before applying anything

    Remove dust, crumbs and hair with the vacuum and a soft brush. A product applied over dry dirt spreads it through the fabric.

  4. Choose the product type from the code

    A water-based product for W, a dry product for S, either for WS and none for X. Also read the instructions on the product itself.

  5. Test on a hidden spot

    Apply a minimal amount on a spot nobody sees, for example under a cushion or on the back. Let it dry completely and check for rings, colour change or a change in texture.

  6. Treat the stain by pressing

    If the test went well, work the stain with a white cloth, pressing and moving from the edge towards the centre. Rubbing and soaking are the two most common causes of rings.

What this code does not tell you

The code tells you which type of product is safe for the fabric. It does not tell you whether a particular stain will come out, how long it has been on the sofa or how a dye will react. Velvet, silk and viscose deserve extra caution even when the label allows water.

Frequently asked questions

My label only says "dry clean". What does that mean?
It usually matches code S: no water, only dry products made for upholstery. If the label does not make clear what you can use, treat it with the same caution as X and ask first.
Does code W allow steam?
Code W refers to water-based products and says nothing about steam. If the manufacturer does not mention it, it is better to avoid steam at home.
Is the label the same for the cushions and the frame?
It does not have to be. Removable covers and loose cushions sometimes carry their own label with a different code. Check each piece separately.
What should I do with the sofas in a holiday rental?
Photograph each sofa's label once and keep the photo in the property record. Whoever cleans between guests then knows from the start which product is safe. There is more on upholstery cleaning for holiday rentals on the dedicated page.
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