This Tiny Tag Tells You Exactly How To Clean Your Couch
Spilling something on the living room couch used to send me into a total panic. It is the biggest piece of furniture in the house and usually the most expensive. I was always terrified that rubbing a wet towel on a stain would leave a permanent water mark or ruin the fabric completely. But recently I learned that there is a secret cheat sheet hidden right on the furniture. It takes all the guesswork out, like a secret code for how to clean your couch. Here’s how to read it.
Finding The Secret Code
Before you grab a bottle of upholstery cleaner you need to find the care tag. This is not the big tag sticking out of the back cushions. You usually have to dig a little bit. Look under the seat cushions or check the bottom edge of the sofa frame. Sometimes it is even stapled underneath the bottom of the couch. Once you find it you will see a single letter printed on it that acts as your cleaning guide.
Code W Means Water Is Fine
If you look at the tag and see a letter W you can breathe a huge sigh of relief. This simply means the fabric is water safe. You can easily use water based cleaners or just a little bit of mild dish soap mixed with warm water. It is the easiest type of couch to maintain. Just gently dab the stain with a damp cloth and let it air dry to make it look brand new again.
Code S Means Solvents Only
Seeing a letter S on the tag means you need to be very careful. It stands for solvent which means water will actually damage the fabric or leave a terrible ring behind. You absolutely must use a water free dry cleaning solvent. You can usually find these special cleaners at the hardware store or online. You need to follow the directions on the bottle closely and make sure your living room has plenty of fresh air. Or, just bring your couch covers to the dry cleaners.
Code WS Gives You Options
Sometimes you will get lucky and find the letters WS printed on your tag. This combination means the fabric is pretty durable and can handle both water based cleaners and dry cleaning solvents. I usually start with a mild soapy water mixture because it is cheaper and safer for the house. If the stain is really greasy or stubborn then I will step up to a stronger solvent. It’s nice to be able to choose.
Code X Is For Vacuuming Only
This is the most restrictive code you can find on a piece of furniture. If your tag has an X it means the fabric cannot handle any type of liquid cleaner at all. Water or solvents will shrink the fabric or ruin the dye completely. For these delicate couches you are strictly limited to using a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery brush attachment. You just have to gently vacuum up the dirt and dust.
Always Test A Hidden Spot
Even when you know exactly what the code means you should never jump right into scrubbing the middle of a cushion. Fabrics fade over time and cleaners can sometimes bleach the color in unexpected ways. Always find a hidden spot on the back or bottom of the couch to test your cleaner first. Dab a tiny bit on the fabric and wait for it to dry completely. This saves you from creating an even bigger disaster.
Knowing Your Own Limits
Sometimes a spill is just too big or the fabric is just too delicate to handle on your own. If you have a massive coffee stain on an S coded couch it is perfectly okay to admit defeat. Calling a professional upholstery cleaner might cost a little bit of money but it is much cheaper than replacing the entire sofa. They have the right tools to lift out stubborn dirt without destroying the delicate fibers.
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It is honestly so comforting to finally know what those little letters mean. You do not have to hold your breath every time someone eats a snack on the sofa anymore. Just taking a few minutes to check the tag gives you the confidence to tackle small messes before they turn into permanent stains. It keeps your living room feeling fresh and welcoming and stops you from accidentally destroying your couch.
Bliss Donahue-Power
