Fabric & Leather Care Guide: Keeping Your Furniture Looking New

Good upholstery is an investment, and how you care for it day to day matters more than any one-time deep clean. Here's how to keep fabric and leather furniture looking new for years, not just months.

Fabric Upholstery Care

Daily & Weekly Habits

• Vacuum regularly using an upholstery attachment to lift dust and debris out of the weave before it settles in.
• Rotate and flip cushions every few weeks so wear and sun exposure distribute evenly.
• Keep fabric out of direct sunlight where possible, or use curtains/blinds during peak sun hours — UV exposure is one of the biggest causes of fading and fiber breakdown over time.

Spills and Stains

• Blot, don't rub. Rubbing pushes a stain deeper into the fibers and can damage the weave. Blot from the outside of the stain inward with a clean, dry cloth.
• Check the care tag before using any cleaner. Most upholstered furniture carries a care code: W (water-based cleaners are safe), S (solvent-based only, no water), WS (either), or X (vacuum only — no liquid cleaners at all). Using the wrong type of cleaner can set a stain permanently or damage the fabric.
• Test any cleaner in a hidden spot first — the underside of a cushion or the back of the piece — before applying it anywhere visible.

Deep Cleaning

Plan on professional upholstery cleaning roughly once a year for regularly-used pieces, or sooner in high-traffic households with kids or pets. A professional will know how to match the cleaning method to your fabric's specific care code.

Leather Care

Routine Care

• Dust and wipe with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth weekly to prevent dirt from grinding into the surface.
• Condition every 6–12 months with a leather conditioner formulated for furniture (not shoe or car products) to keep the leather supple and prevent cracking.
• Keep leather away from direct heat sources like radiators, fireplaces, and direct sun — heat dries leather out and accelerates cracking.

Spills

• Blot immediately with a clean, absorbent cloth — leather is more forgiving of quick action than fabric, but liquid left to sit can still stain or discolor it.
• Avoid soap, alcohol, and household cleaners on leather. Use a leather-specific cleaner, and always test on an inconspicuous area first.

General Rules for Any Upholstery

• Keep pets' nails trimmed and consider a throw or slipcover on pieces that get heavy pet use.
• Use arm covers or throws in high-contact areas (armrests, the front edge of cushions) if you want to extend the life of the fabric or leather underneath.
• When in doubt, call in a professional rather than experimenting with a home remedy on an expensive piece — some stains genuinely need professional-grade treatment, and a bad DIY attempt can make things worse.

If you're not sure what care code your furniture falls under or want product-specific care recommendations, a member of our team can look up the manufacturer's exact care instructions for your piece.