Care & cleaning
Looking after upholstery is mostly about doing a little, often. Here is what actually matters — and what to avoid.
Before you clean anything
Check the care tag on the underside of your seat cushion for the cleaning code. Always test any product on a hidden area first — the back of the piece, or under a cushion. Using the wrong product is the most common cause of damage we see, and it is not covered by the warranty.
Top-grain leather
Leather is a natural material. Grain, tone and marking vary across a hide, and it will develop a patina with use. That is the material behaving correctly, not a fault.
Every week
- Dust with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth.
- Vacuum crevices and seams on a low setting with a soft brush attachment.
Spills
- Blot immediately with a clean dry cloth. Do not rub — rubbing pushes the spill into the grain.
- For anything remaining, wipe with a cloth barely dampened with clean water, then dry with a second cloth.
- Let the area air dry. Never use a hairdryer or place the piece near a heater to speed it up.
Every six to twelve months
- Apply a leather conditioner made for finished top-grain leather, following the maker’s directions.
Never use
- Saddle soap, solvents, alcohol, ammonia, bleach or all-purpose household sprays.
- Abrasive cloths, scouring pads or steam cleaners.
- Oils, waxes or silicone polishes not intended for upholstery leather.
Performance fabric
Performance covers are engineered to release stains and resist abrasion, but they still benefit from routine attention.
Every week
- Vacuum with a soft brush attachment, including under and behind the cushions.
- Rotate and lightly plump reversible cushions so they wear evenly.
Spills
- Blot immediately from the outside of the spill inwards, so you do not spread the ring.
- For water-safe (W or WS coded) covers, use a small amount of clean water or a mild upholstery cleaner on a white cloth.
- Rinse by blotting with a cloth dampened with clean water, then blot dry and let the area air dry fully.
General
- Clean the whole panel rather than a spot, so you do not leave a clean patch.
- Keep the piece out of prolonged direct sunlight; all textiles fade eventually.
- For a stain you cannot shift, stop and call a professional upholstery cleaner.
Never use
- Bleach, solvent-based cleaners or products containing optical brighteners.
- Stiff brushes or aggressive scrubbing, which fuzz the weave.
Mechanisms and electrics
Keep the path clear
Make sure nothing is under or behind the piece before you recline — cables, toys and pets are the usual culprits. Never operate a recliner with a child underneath it.
Let the motor do the work
Do not push or pull the footrest to help it. Forcing the linkage is the fastest way to damage a mechanism that would otherwise last years.
Mind the cables
Leave enough slack at the transformer that the cable is never taut when the piece is fully open, and keep the connection dry.
Annual check
Once a year, tighten any accessible hardware by hand and check the mechanism is free of debris. Do not lubricate unless we tell you to.
Moving the furniture
Lift, never drag. Disconnect power first and close the piece fully. On sectionals, separate the sections at the brackets rather than dragging the set.
Placement
Keep upholstery at least [DISTANCE] from radiators, vents and open fires, and out of sustained direct sunlight.
Ask before you clean
Tell us the item number and what you are dealing with, and we will tell you exactly what is safe for your cover.