Care & Cleaning

General Maintenance
  • 1. Vacuum upholstery regularly. This fights dust and particulate build up which can be abrasive. Note how often you dust solid surfaces. Dust accumulates at the same rate on your upholstery. Avoid harsh brush attachments as they can abrade the surface and actually cause pilling or damage leather.
  • 2. For leather, gently wipe away any remaining dust with a clean, white cloth. If necessary, lightly dampen the cloth with distilled water. Do not leave moisture to sit on the leather.
  • 3. Flip and rearrange loose cushions and backs frequently. This distributes wear evenly.
  • 4. Fluff toss pillows and loose or semi-attached backs frequently. This helps them stay closer to their original shape. Loose fiber can be added to pillows and/or backs if you prefer a fuller look or firmer sit.
  • 5. Protect upholstery from harsh use. Pets, active children, and inappropriate use (i.e. jumping, climbing, shoes on upholstery, etc.) can cause unnecessary damage like snags, pilling, scratching, staining and holes. Smith Brothers furniture is designed for residential use, so commercial use would be considered inappropriate as well.
  • 6. Avoid applying aftermarket stain repellent treatments. These products have the potential to cause pilling and to attract dust and particulates. They can actually break down the structure of the fabric, weakening it and making is susceptible to pilling and abrasion. These treatments may void the warranty.
  • 7. Avoid contact with any household cleaning products or skin/hair care products. Chemicals can react negatively with the surface of leathers and cause protective surfaces to deteriorate. This allows color to rub off over time. These chemicals are harmful to fabrics as well. Some of the known irritants are hand sanitizer, hair gel/product, medications, flea treatments on pets, and stain protectant sprays.
  • 8. Avoid direct sunlight. Even the most protected leathers and the most light-fast fabrics will eventually fade in direct sunlight.
  • 9. Avoid placing leather upholstery near heat or forced air sources. These can dry out the leather and cause cracking.
Practical Care & Cleaning for Fabric Upholstery Fabric Cleaning Code Key
Each fabric has a cleaning code which is assigned by the textile manufacturer. These are industry standard codes used by all upholsterers and textile mills. They can be found on the white tags beneath the seat cushions of your Smith Brothers furniture. They are also used by spot cleaning agent manufacturers and appear on the labels of their products.
  • S – Clean with pure Petroleum Distillate-Based Solvents only. Water-based or detergent-based cleaners may cause excessive shrinkage. Water stains may become permanent.
  • SW – Clean with either water-based cleaning agents, foam, or pure Petroleum Distillate-Based solvents.
  • W – Clean with water-based cleaning agents or foam to remove overall soil. (Note: Many household cleaners are harmful to the color and life of a fabric.)
  • X – Do not clean. Only lightly vacuum.

Spot Cleaning Fabric

 It is a good idea to test the cleaner on a hidden area of the furniture before applying to the spot.
  • 1. Blot or remove excess crumbs or residue with a clean towel or vacuum. Do not scrub or use a harsh brush attachment
  • 2. If the fabric has an W or SW cleaning code, create a solution of mild soap (like Tide® or Dawn®) and distilled water. Apply the solution to the affected area with a spray bottle or clean cloth/sponge. Gently dab the spot. A soft brush may be necessary, but avoid scrubbing. Rinse away any soap residue without soaking the upholstery. Blot dry with a clean, white towel until it is barely moist. This will limit any water marks.
  • 3. If the fabric has an S cleaning code, apply a spot cleaning agent that also carries the S clean code on its label. Do not apply water as it may damage the fabric or cause a water mark. Follow the instructions on the product. It is a good idea to test the cleaner on a hidden area of the furniture before applying to the spot.
Practical Care & Cleaning for Leather Upholstery Spot Cleaning Leather
  • 1. Soak up any liquids immediately with a clean, white cloth.
  • 2. Using a clean, white cloth lightly dampened with distilled water, gently dab away any crumbs or residue. Avoid harsh scrubbing.
  • 3. Dry with a clean, white cloth.
  • 4. Repeat if necessary. Keep in mind that stains on Pure Aniline leathers will eventually dissipate into the grain structure and lessen in appearance over time.
  • 5. For stubborn stains, contact a local upholstery cleaning professional or a leather technician.
  • 6. For leather that is dry or cracked, check the leather type. If it is a Pure Aniline, a leather conditioner may be appropriate. Simply test the product on a hidden area of the furniture and follow the instructions closely. Conditioners may cause color change! Conditioners will not work on Pigmented/Protected or Semi-Aniline leathers as the product will not sink in to the grain, but rather form a film on the surface.