Fabric Care

Proper care not only helps maintain the fabric’s appearance but also extends its lifespan and performance. Keep your products looking their best with the following care tips:

Routine Care

  • As dust and dirt cause fabrics to wear more quickly, we recommend routine care such as light dusting or vacuuming at low suction (with a clean soft brush attachment) for drapery and pillows or using an upholstery attachment for upholstery. Avoid rubbing or brushing excessively to prevent fuzzing or abrasion. 
  • Flip, rotate, and fluff removable cushions (if applicable) to promote even wear.
  • Promptly treat spills and stains to prevent setting. 

Fabric content considerations when cleaning your products:

  • Natural fibres such as cotton, wool and linen may shrink when washed or steamed. To minimize shrinkage, consider dry cleaning or wash in cool water, gentle cycle and hang to dry. 
  • We do NOT recommend machine washing drapes or roman blinds.
  • Sofa cushion covers should not be dry cleaned.
  • Olefin is inherently stain resistant and does not absorb water, it is not treated with any additional stain resistant coatings or finishes. Stain resistant coatings may damage fabric fibres and should not be applied.
  • When ironing synthetic fibres such olefin, acrylic and polyester, use a low heat setting, iron inside out, and always use a pressing cloth to prevent melting or scorching.

Preparing your products for cleaning:

  • Follow manufacture's instructions on the cleaning product used.
  • Before applying any cleaning solution to a stain, if possible, test it on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn't cause discolouration or damage the fabric's texture. Place a clean towel between fabric and foam cushion where possible.

Cleaning Codes and Instructions

Care Code W - Use water-based cleaning solutions. Do not dry clean.

Everyday stains- Spot clean with mild soap and water .

  1. Blot liquids immediately; brush off loose soil. Avoid rubbing or brushing excessively to prevent fuzzing or spreading.
  2. Prepare a cleaning solution of ¼ tsp mild detergent with 1 cup lukewarm water.
  3. Spray/mist the solution on the stain; work from outer edge inward to avoid spreading. Do not oversaturate.
  4. Allow solution to soak; rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue as soap attracts dirt
  5. Blot excess moisture; allow fabric to air dry.
Care Code WB - Use water-based cleaning solutions. Do not dry clean.

Everyday stains- Spot clean with mild soap and water.

Stubborn/Heavy-Duty stains - Spot clean with diluted bleach 

  1. Blot liquids immediately; brush off loose soil. Avoid rubbing or brushing excessively to prevent fuzzing or spreading.
  2. Prepare a diluted bleach cleaning solution with 1 part bleach and 16 parts water (1 part bleach and 10 parts water for InsideOut fabrics).
  3. Apply the solution using a misting spray bottle and allow solution to soak into the fabric; work from outer edge inward to avoid spreading.
  4. Blot and thoroughly rinse the fabric with water until the stain is cleaned. Make sure that all the bleach solution is rinsed off the fabric.

Care Code S - Use water-free dry cleaning solvents designed for upholstery fabrics

Everyday stains - Spot clean with dry cleaning solvent designed for upholstery fabrics.

  1. Blot liquids immediately; brush off loose soil. Avoid rubbing or brushing excessively to prevent fuzzing or spreading.
  2. Follow instructions as directed on solvent cleaner. Apply solvent to a clean cloth, never directly to the fabric. Before applying any cleaning solution to a stain, if possible, test it on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn't cause discolouration or damage the fabric's texture. Gently blot the stain, work from outer edge inward to avoid spreading.
  3. Allow to air-dry completely.

Stubborn/Heavy-Duty Stains - Professional dry clean, gentle with any solvent except trichloroethylene or contact a cleaning professional for upholstery cleaning. To maintain even colour, sofa cushion covers should not be dry cleaned.

Care Code WS - Use water-based cleaning solutions or solvent-based cleaners designed for upholstery fabrics

Everyday stains - Spot clean with mild soap and water 

Stubborn/Heavy-Duty stains - Professional dry clean, gentle with any solvent except trichloroethylene or contact a cleaning professional for upholstery cleaning. To maintain even colour, sofa cushion covers should not be dry cleaned.

Fabric Care by Brand

InsideOut® Fabric

GENERAL CLEANING FOR INSIDEOUT PERFORMANCE FABRICS
• Because dust and dirt cause fabric to wear faster, we recommend vacuuming regularly with an
upholstery attachment.
• Flip, rotate and fluff removable cushions regularly to ensure even wear and
increase longevity.
An annual professional cleaning will keep your upholstered furniture
looking its best.
• Maintenance requires promptly treating spots and stains and should include routine, on-going care
which reduces soil build-up on a fabric’s surface.
• Do not rub or brush excessively as you may cause fuzzing.

SPOT CLEANING WITH SOAP + WATER FOR EVERYDAY MESSES
The spot cleaning method of stain removal can be used for most light to medium stains.
1) Before spot cleaning, blot up liquids on the surface with a clean, soft towel and brush off any loose dirt.
2) Prepare a cleaning solution of 1/4 tsp mild, enzyme detergent, such as standard dishwashing liquid, per
1 cup of lukewarm water.
3) Apply the cleaning solution using a misting spray bottle.
4) Work the solution into the affected area by lightly scrubbing the area with a sponge or soft bristle
brush. Make sure to work from the outside of the stain inward so as not to spread the stain and rinse
your sponge or brush frequently.
5) Allow the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
6) Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residues, as residues will attract dirt. Blot excess moisture with a
clean, soft towel or sponge.
7) Repeat steps 3 - 6 as needed.
8) Allow fabric to air dry.

SPOT CLEANING WITH BLEACH FOR STUBBORN OR EXCESSIVE STAINS
1) Remove any loose debris and blot the stain.
2) Prepare a bleach based cleaning solution. Bleach should be diluted with water on a 1:10 ratio (1 part
bleach, 10 parts water).
3) Apply the bleach based cleaning solution using a misting spray bottle and allow for the solution to soak
into the fabric.
4) Work the solution into the affected area by lightly scrubbing the area with a sponge or soft bristle
brush. Make sure to work from the outside of the stain inward so as not to spread the stain and rinse
your sponge or brush frequently.
5) Blot and thoroughly rinse the fabric with water until the stain is cleaned. *Make sure that all the bleach
is rinsed off of the surface of the fabric*
6) Allow fabric to air dry.

HOW TO TREAT OIL-BASED STAINS
1) Immediately apply an absorbent, such as cornstarch or baking soda, directly on the stain and let it sit
for 10 minutes to help lift the stain.
2) Remove the excess absorbent with a straight edge or ruler to prevent the stain from being pressed into
the fabric. It is imperative to utilize vacuum extraction to remove any excess absorbent.
3) Proceed with the routine spot cleaning process.

Sunbrella® Fabric

Try This First... With a New Spill on Your Sunbrella Fabric:

  • Blot (don't rub) liquid spills with a clean, dry cloth.
  • For oil-based spills, apply an absorbent such as cornstarch, then remove with a straight edge.
  • Spray on a mild cleaning solution of soap and water.
  • Rinse the fabric thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
  • Air dry.

Try This Next... If Your First Try Doesn't Get the Spill Completely Out:

Though Sunbrella fabrics can be used both indoors and outdoors, your cleaning methods should differ slightly based on the fabrication and manufacturing of the furniture. We recommend using the appropriate cleaning instructions for your application.

Outdoor Upholstery - Cleaning Removable Fabric

Hand Washing

Soak fabric in a solution of 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Use a sponge or very soft bristle brush to lightly agitate the stain. Then rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue and allow fabric to air dry.

Machine Washing

Some removable casings can be washed in the washing machine. However, consult the furniture manufacturer before removing the casing as cushion construction may vary. To wash, first close all zippers. Machine wash in cold water on the delicate cycle with normal amounts of mild laundry detergent. For severe mold or mildew, add 1 cup of bleach. Allow fabric to air dry.

Cleaning Non-Removable Fabric

Prepare a solution of 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Use a soft bristle brush to clean, allowing the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric. Rinse thoroughly to remove all residue and allow fabric to air dry.

For best results when cleaning upholstered pieces, clean the entire surface area of the fabric, from seam to seam, instead of rubbing the fabric in a circular motion on the spill. This method, along with an extractor, may be required in order to avoid water rings and residue.

Oil-Based Stains

If a stubborn oil-based stain persists after cleaning, treat with a strong degreaser and rinse thoroughly.

Mold and Mildew

Sunbrella fabrics do not promote mildew growth, however, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances if not removed from the fabric. To remove mold or mildew:

  • Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of water
  • Spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes.
  • Clean entire surface area with a sponge, clean towel or very soft bristle brush.
  • Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
  • Air dry.

For severe mold/mildew growth, bleach quantities may be increased.

Indoor Upholstery

  • Apply a light mist of mild soap and water using a spray bottle.
  • Work the solution into the stain by lightly agitating the entire surface area of the fabric, moving from seam to seam, with a sponge or very soft bristle brush. Avoid scrubbing, and do not use a hard-bristled brush or anything that will abrade the fabric.
  • Rinse the entire fabric thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
  • Blot excess moisture with a clean, soft towel or sponge.
  • Blot or wet-vacuum excess water from the entire surface area of the fabric, moving from seam to seam.
  • Air dry. Repeat rinsing and blotting until all soap residue is removed.
Machine Washing

Some removable casings can be washed in the washing machine, however consult the furniture manufacturer before removing the casing as cushion construction may vary. To wash, first close all zippers. Machine wash in cold water on the delicate cycle with normal amounts of mild laundry detergent. Allow fabric to air dry.

Oil-Based Stains

If a stubborn oil-based stain persists after cleaning treat with a strong degreaser and rinse thoroughly.

Specific information on cleaning is available in our Cleaning Guide.

Sustain Performance Fabric™

• Clean with a water-based cleaning solutions for everyday stains.

• For tough stains use a diluted bleach cleaning solution with 1 part bleach and 10 parts water

• Do not dry clean

• Care code W/S/B

Ease Eco Performance Fabric

• Clean with mild soap and water