What the W, S, WS, or X on Your Couch Tag Means

Flip up a couch cushion or look under the frame. Somewhere there’s a small tag with a letter on it: W, S, WS, or X.

That letter is the maker’s cleaning code. It tells you what kind of cleaner the fabric can handle. Getting it wrong is the fastest way to turn a small spot into a big ring.

The Four Couch Cleaning Codes

Klaussner’s fabric care guide says S fabrics should only be spot cleaned with a mild, water-free solvent. It recommends a professional furniture cleaner for those. X fabrics take no liquid at all, only vacuuming or light brushing, per this fabric care guide.

Where to Find the Tag

Check under the seat cushions or on the deck beneath them. Look at the bottom of the frame, too. Some tags sit near the back legs.

If the tag is gone, look up the model number or call the store. A photo of the tag is the most useful thing you can send us.

Why Water Leaves Rings

Water rings aren’t really caused by the water. BISSELL’s cleaning team explains that minerals and dirt move with the water. They collect at the edge where the wet area dries, and that edge becomes the ring.

Chicago tap water comes from Lake Michigan and carries dissolved minerals. The city’s own water test results list hardness around 130 to 140 milligrams per liter. Spot cleaning with tap water can leave exactly that kind of ring.

Some natural fibers, like cotton, can also turn brown when they stay wet too long. That’s one more reason to go light on liquid.

Can You Wash the Cushion Covers?

The zipper makes it tempting. But Ashley’s cleaning code guide says cushion covers on WS fabric should not be removed and dry cleaned.

A washed cover can shrink or change color. Then it won’t match the rest of the couch, and it may not fit back on the foam.

What to Do With a Spill, by Code

• W: Blot right away with a white towel. Dab with a little water, then blot dry. Distilled water leaves fewer minerals behind.
• WS: Blot first. Use as little liquid as you can.
• S: Blot only. No water. Call us.
• X: Blot, then vacuum once it’s dry. Keep all liquids off.
• Any code: Don’t rub. Rubbing spreads the spill and roughs up the fabric.

What to Tell Us When You Book

Before we come out, it helps to know a few things:

• The cleaning code on the tag. A phone photo works.
• The fabric, if you know it, like velvet, linen, or microfiber.
• Any pet accidents, and about how old they are.
• Spots someone already tried to clean, and what they used.

If your tag says S or X, tell us when you call. We’ll tell you what we can do with it before we schedule.

What Customers Bring Us Most

Sofas, sectionals, and pet smells come up in our reviews more than anything else. Old pet spots are the hardest. The longer urine sits in a cushion, the less likely it comes out all the way. Call early.

We clean sofas and couches, sectionals, and cushions in your home. Our upholstery cleaning page covers the rest. Our service minimum is $180, and spot treatment is included.

After the Cleaning

Ask about fabric protection once the couch is clean. It helps spills sit on top of the fabric a little longer, so you have time to blot.

Couch Cleaning Codes: FAQ