Upholstery cleaning codes
W, S, W/S, X — the tag decides what's allowed.
Weakly sourced
The only fetchable source for this topic so far is not institutional. The garment care label identifies a safe cleaning method and warns against harmful steps. If it says do not bleach, do not use bleach. [1] See the note at the bottom.
- W means water-based cleaners are allowed (mild dish soap and water, blotting rather than rubbing); S means water-free dry-cleaning solvent only — never water or steam; W/S allows either, starting with the gentlest option; X means no liquids at all — vacuum or brush only, professionals for stains. [2]
- Find the cleaning code on your fabric swatch, sales order, or manufacturer tag. Test any cleaner on a hidden area first, and avoid over-saturating: moisture trapped in foam causes mildew and water rings. [2]
What we could not source
- Weakly sourced: the only fetchable source for the code system this session was a furniture retailer's blog (community tier). Institutional pages (Nebraska EC86-418, Illinois Stain Solutions) were unreachable or discontinued. Treat the manufacturer's own tag wording as authoritative.
Sources
- Institutional University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service — Care Label Symbols (SP519) (accessed 2026-08-18)
- Community Keck Furniture (furniture retailer blog) — Upholstery Cleaning Codes Explained: W, S, W/S, X (accessed 2026-08-18)
Updated 2026-08-18. Compiled from the cited sources; not independently verified by this site. Spotted an error? See the corrections policy.