A sofa or armchair is one of the most frequently used and worn furniture pieces in a home. The right choice of material, as well as daily care habits, determines whether that furniture will remain like new for ten years or three. In this guide, we explain the differences in care based on fabric type, the most common types of stains, and when you should seek professional help.
Know your fabric type
Not all fabrics behave the same way. Knowing which fabric you are working with before you start caring for it will prevent you from damaging the texture with an incorrect cleaning method.
- Linen: A breathable, natural texture; it can lightly fuzz from moisture and heavy rubbing. Weekly care with dry brushing is sufficient.
- Bouclé: Its thick, textured surface holds stains on the surface; if addressed quickly, they can be removed without leaving a mark. Avoid hard scrubbing, as it can flatten the texture.
- Chenille: Its soft and shiny appearance is maintained with regular light brushing; otherwise, the fibers can lie flat, creating a dull appearance.
- Velvet: The most delicate group. Even with water-based stains, the blotting method with a dry cloth should be tried first, and scrubbing should be absolutely avoided.
Weekly and monthly care routine
Three simple habits that extend the life of the fabric without the need for major intervention:
- Weekly vacuuming: Use a soft brush attachment to remove lint and dust accumulation. Over time, dust settles between the fabric fibers and has an abrasive effect.
- Monthly cushion rotation: Regularly rotating and repositioning symmetrical cushions balances wear and tear in the seating area.
- Protection from direct sunlight: Especially for sofas in front of windows facing the garden, closing curtains during the day significantly slows down color fading.
Stain removal: the first 5 minutes are critical
Rubbing when a liquid spills pushes the stain deeper into the fabric and spreads it. Instead:
- Blot excess liquid with a clean, colorless cloth or paper towel (from the outside in, never spreading from the center outwards).
- Dab gently with a cloth lightly dampened with lukewarm water, again blotting.
- For colored or intricately textured fabrics, test on an inconspicuous area first (e.g., under a cushion).
- If the stain doesn't come out, let it dry and leave it for professional cleaning – forcing it with home methods after it dries can lighten the fabric's color.
When is professional cleaning necessary?
Home methods are generally insufficient for oil-based stains (cooking oil, cosmetic products, darkening in armrest areas due to body oil accumulation) and large, widespread stains. Once a year, especially for heavily used seating sets, professional fabric cleaning service, along with daily care, significantly refreshes the fabric's appearance.
If you are in the fabric selection phase, the fabric swatch and care information for each of our sofa and couch models are specified separately on the product page; you can see which fabric best suits your lifestyle during the selection process.
