Upholstery Clean-Codes Explained: W, S, WS, and X Tags
Most upholstered furniture has a small tag, usually under a cushion or on the frame, with a single letter code that tells you what kind of cleaner is safe to use on the fabric. Getting this wrong can permanently damage the fabric, so here is what each code actually means.
W: Water-Based Cleaner
Fabric tagged W can be safely cleaned with a water-based cleaning solution. This is the most common code on everyday upholstery fabrics like many cottons and synthetic blends, and it is what our standard upholstery cleaning process is built around.
S: Solvent-Based Cleaner Only
Fabric tagged S should only be cleaned with a solvent-based cleaner, not water. Water can cause shrinking, staining, or texture changes on these fabrics, which are often more delicate materials like certain silks or fabrics with special finishes. We identify S-coded fabric before starting and use the appropriate solvent-based process.
WS: Water or Solvent-Based Cleaner
Fabric tagged WS can be cleaned with either a water-based or solvent-based cleaner, giving more flexibility in how we approach the job. This is common on more durable upholstery fabrics designed for regular household use.
X: Vacuum Only, No Liquid Cleaners
Fabric tagged X should not be cleaned with any liquid cleaner, water or solvent, and should only be vacuumed or lightly brushed. This code shows up on certain delicate or specialty fabrics where liquid cleaning risks permanent damage. If your furniture is tagged X and has a stain that needs more than vacuuming, professional dry-cleaning by a specialist trained for that specific fabric is usually the safer route.
Why We Check the Tag Before We Start
Cleaning upholstery with the wrong method for its fabric code is one of the most common ways furniture gets permanently damaged by well-meaning cleaning attempts, whether DIY or from a company that skips this step. We check the tag on every upholstery job before we touch the fabric, and if there is no tag, we test first.
Frequently Asked Questions: Upholstery Clean-Codes
Where do I find the clean-code tag on my furniture?
Look under the cushions, on the underside of the frame, or attached to the zipper of a removable cushion cover. Most upholstered furniture sold in the US has one, though older pieces sometimes do not.
What happens if you clean an X-code fabric with water?
Water can cause permanent staining, shrinkage, or texture damage on fabric rated X. If we find an X tag, we will tell you honestly what our options are, which sometimes means professional dry cleaning through a different specialist rather than our process.
Can you still clean my furniture if the tag is missing or worn off?
Yes. When we cannot find or read a tag, we test the fabric in an inconspicuous spot first to see how it reacts before treating the visible areas.
Is S-code fabric ever worth having professionally cleaned?
Yes. Solvent-only fabrics still get dirty and still benefit from professional cleaning, it just requires different products and equipment than a standard W or WS job.
Call (458) 291-8800 for a free quote on upholstery cleaning in Medford. We check the fabric code first, every time, so your furniture gets the right process instead of a guess. See our carpet cleaning FAQ for more answers, or check pricing.