Cracking the Code to Fabric Care

When selecting fabric for your upholstery or design client, it’s easy to focus on color, pattern, and texture. But there’s another detail that will make a major difference in how well a fabric performs over time: the cleaning code.

Cleaning codes help you understand the best way to care for a fabric, especially when it will be used in high-traffic areas like sofas, dining chairs, or entertainment room seating.

These codes are established by the Joint Industry Fabric Standards Committee and are used across the upholstery industry to guide safe cleaning practices.

At Greenhouse Fabrics and Anna Elisabeth, you’ll find cleaning specifications for every fabric in our sample books and on our website, so you can confidently recommend the right option for each project.

Fabric Cleaning Codes Explained

Below is a quick breakdown of what each cleaning code means.

DC — Dry Clean Only

This type of fabric should be cleaned only by professional dry cleaning methods.

W/S — Water or Solvent

This fabric should be spot cleaned, using either:

  • Upholstery shampoo
  • Foam from a mild detergent
  • A mild dry-cleaning solvent

Be sure to avoid saturating this type of fabric during cleaning.

S — Solvent Clean Only

This fabric should be spot cleaned using a water-free dry-cleaning solvent only. 

Do not use water. When spills occur, blot immediately to remove any excess material.

W — Water-Based Cleaning

Spot clean using a water-based upholstery shampoo or foam cleaner.

Do not oversaturate the fabric, and avoid solvent-based cleaners. Blot spills promptly to remove excess liquid.

X — Vacuum Only

This fabric can only be cleaned using:

  • Vacuuming
  • Light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush

Avoid water, solvents, or cleaning products for this fabric type.

Additional Upholstery Care Tips

We’ve collected a list of considerations to help you keep our fabrics looking their best:

  • Blot spills immediately rather than rubbing them.
  • Clean spots from the outside toward the center to prevent rings.
  • Vacuum or lightly brush fabrics regularly to remove dust and debris.
  • Do not remove cushion covers for laundering or dry cleaning unless specifically recommended.
  • Steam cleaning or hot water extraction is not recommended for most of our upholstery fabrics.
  • Pile fabrics may benefit from gentle brushing with a non-metallic brush to restore their appearance.

In cases of full upholstery cleaning, we recommend contacting a professional furniture cleaning service to protect your investment.

Whether you’re selecting our fabrics for a busy home, office, entertainment space, or commercial project, understanding cleaning codes can help ensure your choices look beautiful and perform well for years to come.