Sofa and fabric care: velvet, boucle, woven and linen-look

How do I look after a fabric sofa day to day?

Vacuum the fabric weekly with a soft brush. Blot spills straight away and avoid direct sunlight. Rotate seat cushions every month.

These three habits cover most of a sofa’s life: vacuum, blot, and keep it out of the sun. The sun fades colors over time, so a sofa next to a sunny window benefits from a curtain or a rearranged room. Fading is slow, but it is uneven if one end of the sofa sits in the light and the other does not, so turn the room around if you can.

• Vacuum the fabric weekly with a soft brush
• Blot spills straight away and avoid direct sunlight
• Rotate the seat cushions every month so they wear evenly

How do I clean a velvet sofa?

Vacuum velvet gently with a soft brush, in the direction of the pile, and blot spills with a clean dry cloth rather than rubbing. Rubbing pushes the liquid into the pile and leaves a mark.

Pressure marks and flattened areas are normal in velvet. Brush the pile lightly in one direction to lift it. Our velvet collections are Tesla and Panda. Spots are best treated early, and with the least moisture you can use.

How do I clean a boucle sofa?

Use a soft brush attachment on low suction, because boucle has loops that stiff brushes and beaters can pull. Blot spills, and do not rub.

If a loop snags, do not pull it. Press it back into the fabric or ask us what to do. Boucle is best in homes without cats, because claws catch the loops. Our boucle collections are Twit, Ovely and Moca.

How do I clean woven and linen-look fabrics?

Vacuum the weave with a soft brush so dust does not settle between the threads, and blot spills at once, from the outside of the mark towards the centre. A flat woven fabric hides everyday wear and suits busy homes.

Woven fabrics in light colors such as ivory or oat show marks faster than darker ones, so treat spills early. Our woven collections are Veral, Rasta and Java.

What do I do when something spills?

Blot at once with a clean, dry, absorbent cloth, working from the outside of the spill inward, and never rub. The faster you act, the less of the liquid reaches the filling.

Test any cleaner on a hidden spot first, such as the back or the underside, because some fabrics change color. For a stain that stays, call us or send a photo on WhatsApp before using anything strong.

How do I protect a light-colored sofa, and keep it good with children or pets?

Keep drinks and food away from the sofa, put a throw over the arms and the seat that gets the most use, and rotate the cushions. Light colors such as ivory, oat or sand show marks faster than darker ones, but they also make a room look larger.

Wash your hands before you sit down after cooking or painting, and keep sunscreen and hair oils off the fabric: they cause the dull patches you see on the head rest.

With children or pets, vacuum a little more often, wipe up spills at once and use a washable throw where they sit. Choose a tight weave and a mid-tone color if you can, since both hide marks and resist claws. Trim pets’ nails, and avoid boucle if you have cats, because the loops snag.

How do I look after the rest of the room’s furniture?

Each piece has its own care note on its product page. The short version is below.

Hot dishes and wet glasses are the usual cause of marks, so mats and coasters are the best care you can give a table.

• Beds: Vacuum the headboard and base with a soft brush. Blot spills, do not rub, and keep out of direct sunlight.
• Chairs: Vacuum with a soft brush and blot spills straight away. Wipe the wooden legs with a dry cloth.
• Coffee tables: Wipe with a soft dry cloth. Use coasters, and wipe stone or glass with a damp cloth only.
• Dining tables: Wipe with a soft damp cloth and dry straight away. Use mats under hot dishes.
• TV units: Wipe with a soft dry cloth. Avoid harsh cleaners on the finish.