Most upholstery fabrics keep their original look for years if they are cared for regularly. The damage usually comes not from neglect but from the wrong response.

The weekly routine

• Vacuum once a week with a soft brush head. Dust works its way between the fibres and accelerates wear.
• Turn and rotate the cushions so that sagging does not concentrate in one spot.
• On velvet, brush the pile back into direction with a soft brush.

The first rule with stains: do not rub

The instinct is to rub, and that is the most damaging thing you can do. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fabric and spreads it. Instead, blot with a clean, dry cloth, working from the outside in.

Common stains

• Tea and coffee: blot immediately with a dry cloth, then press with a cloth dampened in lukewarm water.
• Oil: sprinkle a little cornflour over it, leave for half an hour, then vacuum.
• Ink: never use water — it spreads. Start with a cleaner suited to the fabric, tested first somewhere out of sight.

What not to do

Bleach and improvised mixtures lighten the colour permanently. Covers should not be machine washed unless they are labelled as washable; they shrink, and it cannot be undone. Direct sunlight fades colour over time, so keep the sofa out of it where you can.

We provide written care instructions for the fabrics used in our products at the point of sale.