How To Care For Fabric Beds and Furniture

Before you get stuck into re-vamping and protecting your fabric furniture, here is a list of products and items you may need for this process:

• White cloths are the best option for blotting fabric to prevent colour transfer.
• Lukewarm water is the ideal liquid temperature to treat fabric with.
• Fabric deodorant treats odours and nourishes fabric.
• Vacuum cleaner for regular treatment of dust and bacteria build-up.
• A stain removal solution can treat trickier stains without harming the fabric (check the label for use first).

Fabric beds and upholstered furniture are popular for a reason. If you are struggling to decide between fabric, leather or metal furniture, let us inform you of just some of the benefits of upholstered fabric:

• It is usually cheaper than other upholstery.
• It can create cosiness and warmth in bedrooms.
• Comes in a broader range of colours and styles.
• It can be more durable and resistant to wear.
• Mostly resists scratches and significant signs of damage.

Looking for some fabric care tips? Familiarise yourself with what to do (and what not to do) when caring for your fabric bed or sofa bed. Remember that every fabric is different, and each piece of furniture has guidelines and labels to determine what products can or cannot be used when cleaning.

Things you should do with fabric furniture

• Check the labels for any cleaning solutions before use on fabric furniture.
• Use white cloths to treat the fabric and prevent colour transfer from other coloured cloths.
• Vacuum your fabric furniture regularly to prevent dust or bacteria build-up.

Things you should not do with fabric furniture

• Do not rub the fabric vigorously or saturate it during treatment.
• Do not apply harmful heat to the fabric when drying.
• Do not ignore the care guidelines or labels on the furniture.

Most materials (such as chenille, cotton and linen) benefit from frequent brushing or vacuuming, though both methods must be undertaken with a light hand. Some materials, like polyester, can only be cleaned with vacuuming, while others, like velvet, cannot. Most materials can be cleaned when stained with lukewarm water mixed with a mild soap (only small amounts; enough for bubbles to start forming) and a white cloth (to prevent any colour spilling).

Typically, a tag or label on bed frames, headboards, and furniture will give a comprehensive and concise summary of the materials used, how fire-retardant the piece is, and where it was constructed. This label is usually located at the base of the bed headboard. In contrast, pieces of furniture like sofas and chairs generally have these labels on the bottom of the base, near the legs, or under the cushioned section.

Quickly blotting dirt-afflicted areas with lukewarm, soapy water can remove any lasting stains. Any large stains should be approached in patches, concentrating on one area until the stain is completely gone before moving on to another. If you are concerned about how your pet will interact with your bed/furniture, avoid loose weave materials such as chenille, linen, and cotton. Opting for choices such as polyester may prove to be more durable.

Outside of fabric, the most popular furniture options include metal, wood, leather, and mirror. Each requires its own cleaning requirements, so check out our metal, leather and wood care guides for more in-depth information!