Published by Upholstery World Auckland · Reading time: 6 minutes
To care for newly reupholstered furniture, vacuum it regularly, rotate and plump the cushions, keep it out of direct sun, blot spills straight away, and follow the cleaning code for your fabric — and condition leather a couple of times a year. None of it takes long, and it is the difference between a fresh cover that keeps looking new and one that fades and wears unevenly.
Fresh upholstery is at its most vulnerable in the first few months: the foam is still settling, the fabric has not been exposed to light, and nothing has been treated yet. Here is how to look after it from day one.
What should you do in the first few weeks?
- Expect the seat to settle. New foam and wadding firm up and then soften slightly as they bed in. That is normal. Use all the seats, not just your favourite spot, so it settles evenly.
- Keep the fabric details. Note the fabric name, colour and cleaning code, and keep any offcut. It makes future cleaning, repairs and colour matching far easier.
- Check where the sun falls. Watch where sunlight lands on the piece through the day before you settle on its position.
- Protect it early. If you want a fabric protector, apply it while the fabric is new and clean, after checking it suits the fibre and testing it somewhere hidden.
How do you clean upholstery fabric?
Check the cleaning code first
Most upholstery fabrics carry a cleaning code from the supplier. Ask us for it if you do not have it. The common codes are:
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| W | Water-based cleaners are fine |
| S | Solvent-based cleaner only — water may leave a ring |
| W/S or SW | Either water-based or solvent-based cleaner |
| X | Vacuum or brush only — no liquids; get professional advice for stains |
Weekly care
Vacuum with the soft upholstery brush, including down the sides of seat cushions where crumbs and grit collect. Grit is abrasive: left in the weave, it wears fabric from the inside every time someone sits down.
Spills and stains
- Blot, do not rub. Use a clean white cloth and press from the outside of the spill inward. Rubbing spreads the stain and roughens the surface.
- Test first. Try any cleaner on a hidden spot, such as the back or underside, and let it dry before judging.
- Use as little liquid as possible. Soaking a cushion pushes the stain into the foam and can leave a ring when it dries.
- Do not wash covers unless they are designed for it. Even with a zip, many covers shrink or lose their shape in a machine. Check with us first.
For heavily used pieces, an occasional professional upholstery clean lifts the grime that vacuuming leaves behind.
How do you look after leather upholstery?
- Dust and wipe. A soft dry or barely damp cloth is all most leather needs day to day.
- Condition. Use a conditioner made for upholstery leather a couple of times a year, more often if the piece gets sun or sits near a heater. Dry leather is what cracks.
- Avoid household cleaners. Bleach, ammonia, baby wipes and general sprays can strip the finish.
- Keep it away from heat. Heat pumps, heaters and fireplaces dry leather out quickly.
Faux leather and vinyl are different: they need only mild soapy water and a wipe dry, and they do not take conditioner. Our guide to leather versus fabric upholstery explains the trade-offs.
How do you stop upholstery fading?
Sunlight is the main cause of fading on indoor furniture, and the damage is permanent. New Zealand has high UV levels, so it is worth taking seriously:
- Close blinds or sheer curtains on the sunny side of the room during the brightest part of the day.
- Move the piece out of a direct sun patch if you can, or turn it now and then so one arm does not fade before the other.
- Rotate and flip loose cushions so wear and light are shared evenly.
- For a sunny room, choose a solution-dyed or fade-resistant fabric next time. Our guide on how to choose upholstery fabric covers what to look for.
What about outdoor cushions?
Outdoor fabrics are made to handle sun and damp, but they still last longer with care. Brush off leaves and dirt, stand cushions on edge to dry after rain, wash with mild soapy water now and then, and store them somewhere dry and airy over winter. Never put damp cushions away in a closed box. Fabric choice for outdoor furniture is covered in our guide to the best fabrics for the New Zealand sun.
When should you call an upholsterer?
- A seam starts to open. A small split is a quick repair. Left alone, it spreads.
- Seats sag or feel uneven. Webbing, springs or foam may need attention before the fabric starts to strain.
- A stain will not shift. Repeated scrubbing does more damage than the stain. Ask before you try anything aggressive.
- Pet scratches or snags. Snags can often be eased back in; tears are best repaired early.
Seam, fabric and foam repairs are all listed on our upholstery repairs page.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I wait before using newly reupholstered furniture?
You can use it straight away. Expect the seat to feel slightly firmer at first while the new foam settles.
Should I use a fabric protector spray?
It can help with spills on many fabrics, but check it suits your fabric and test it somewhere hidden first. Some performance fabrics already have a protective finish.
Why do my seat cushions look wrinkled?
Loose cushions shift and compress with use. Plump and turn them regularly. Persistent wrinkling can mean the foam inside has softened, which is an easy fix.
Can you fix a stain or tear on furniture you reupholstered?
Send us photos. Many marks and small tears can be dealt with, and a spare offcut makes a patch or panel replacement much easier.
Get help with your upholstery
If something has gone wrong, or you want advice on cleaning a particular fabric, send a photo and we will tell you what we would do.
WhatsApp +64 22 634 3792 or call 022 634 3792. Quotes from photos are free, or use our contact page.
Read more about furniture reupholstery in Auckland, choosing upholstery fabric, leather versus fabric, or outdoor fabrics for the NZ sun.
About the author. Viraj is the founder and lead upholsterer at Upholstery World Auckland, working across furniture, automotive, marine and commercial upholstery Auckland-wide. Send photos for a free quote on WhatsApp: +64 22 634 3792.
