An M&H sofa is made for everyday use, but the way it is cared for can affect how the upholstery looks and wears over time.
This guide explains the general steps you can take to look after your sofa, including routine vacuuming, spill response, cushion care, light exposure and fabric-specific precautions.
Different upholstery families can react differently to moisture, cleaning products, heat and friction. For that reason, always follow the care information supplied with your sofa or fabric where available, and contact M&H before using a cleaning method if you are unsure.
General Sofa Care
Vacuum the Upholstery Regularly
Dust, crumbs and loose fibres can collect on the surface and between cushions.
Use a clean upholstery attachment or soft brush attachment where appropriate, and avoid aggressive brushing or excessive suction that could disturb the fabric surface.
Pay particular attention to seams, cushion edges and areas that receive regular use.
Deal With Spills Quickly
If liquid is spilled on the sofa, remove as much of it as possible as soon as you can.
Blot the area gently with a clean, absorbent cloth. Avoid rubbing, because this can spread the spill or push it deeper into the upholstery.
Do not apply detergents, stain removers, solvents or household cleaning products unless they are confirmed as suitable for the specific fabric.
If the stain remains or the correct treatment is unclear, contact M&H or a professional upholstery cleaner before continuing.
Protect the Sofa From Strong Sunlight and Heat
Extended exposure to direct sunlight can affect the appearance of many upholstery fabrics over time.
Where practical, position the sofa away from prolonged direct sunlight or use blinds and curtains during the strongest periods of the day.
Also avoid placing upholstered furniture directly against strong heat sources such as radiators, heaters or fireplaces.
Look After the Cushions
Where your sofa has loose or reversible cushions, regular attention can help reduce uneven wear.
Plump loose cushions and reposition them where the design allows. If cushions are reversible and the product permits it, rotate them periodically so the same area is not always taking the greatest pressure.
Not every M&H sofa uses the same cushion construction, so only remove, reverse or rotate cushions where the individual sofa design allows it.
Care Depends on the Fabric
M&H sofas are offered in Plush Velvet, Chenille, Naple, Conistan, Teddy/Bouclé and Jumbo Cord. Naple and Conistan are available on every range, and the other fabrics depend on the range and product.
These names identify different upholstery types, but they should not be treated as universal cleaning instructions.
The exact response to water, detergents, brushing, steam cleaning or professional cleaning can depend on the fabric specification used on the individual sofa.
Velvet Sofa Care
Velvet has a visible surface direction or pile, which can make changes in light and pressure more noticeable than on flatter fabrics.
On our product pages, Plush Velvet is labelled a pet-friendly weave, tight-woven and easy to brush clean. Regular surface care should still be gentle. Avoid aggressive rubbing, hard brushes and unverified cleaning chemicals.
Changes in shading can sometimes appear as the pile moves or reflects light differently. This does not automatically mean the fabric is stained or damaged.
If deeper cleaning is required, use the care information supplied for the fabric or speak to M&H before treating the upholstery.
Chenille Sofa Care
Chenille has a textured surface that can hold dust around the fibres and seams.
Routine vacuuming with a suitable upholstery attachment can help remove loose debris without heavy friction.
Do not assume that every chenille fabric can be washed, steam cleaned or dry cleaned in the same way. Cleaning instructions should be based on the specification of the chenille used on your sofa.
Jumbo Cord Sofa Care
Jumbo Cord has pronounced ribs that can collect loose debris between the raised sections of the fabric.
Vacuum carefully along and between the ribs using an appropriate upholstery attachment.
Avoid scrubbing across the texture, and do not apply water or cleaning products unless the treatment is confirmed as suitable for the particular Jumbo Cord upholstery.
Teddy and Bouclé Sofa Care
Teddy and Bouclé fabrics have a looped or textured surface that can catch debris more easily than some flatter upholstery fabrics.
Use gentle routine vacuuming and avoid pulling at individual loops or fibres.
If a thread or loop appears raised, do not cut or pull it without first checking the correct repair method.
Naple and Conistan Sofa Care
Naple and Conistan are offered on every M&H sofa range.
As with the other upholstery families, their fabric name alone does not confirm the correct stain-treatment, washing or professional-cleaning method.
Follow the care information supplied with the sofa and contact M&H if you need confirmation before applying moisture, detergent or specialist cleaning products.
Avoid Unverified Cleaning Products
Do not assume that a general household cleaner, carpet cleaner or stain remover is safe for upholstered furniture.
Products containing bleach, solvents, strong detergents or abrasive ingredients can change the colour, texture or finish of some fabrics.
Before using any cleaning product, confirm that it is suitable for the specific upholstery on your sofa.
Professional Sofa Cleaning
Some stains and deeper cleaning jobs are better handled by a professional upholstery cleaner.
Before booking a cleaner, tell them the fabric type and any care information supplied with the sofa.
If there is any uncertainty about the material or the treatment being proposed, contact M&H first.
Check Your Sofa Regularly
A simple inspection every few months can help you notice issues before they become more difficult to manage.
Check:
- frequently used cushion areas
- seams and piping
- fabric around the arms
- areas exposed to sunlight
- loose or reversible cushions
- any unusual marks, pulls or changes in the upholstery surface
Early attention is usually easier than trying to correct a problem after repeated use or cleaning.
How often should I vacuum my fabric sofa?
There is no single schedule that suits every household. Vacuum the sofa often enough to prevent visible dust and debris building up, using a suitable upholstery attachment and gentle suction where appropriate.
What should I do if I spill something on my sofa?
Blot the spill gently with a clean absorbent cloth and avoid rubbing. Do not apply detergents, solvents or stain removers unless they are confirmed as suitable for the specific fabric. Contact M&H or a professional upholstery cleaner if you are unsure.
Can I use a steam cleaner on an M&H sofa?
Do not assume steam cleaning is suitable for every M&H upholstery fabric. The correct method depends on the fabric specification used on the individual sofa. Check the relevant care information or contact M&H before using a steam cleaner.
Can I wash removable sofa covers?
Only wash a cover where the individual product or fabric care information specifically confirms that it is washable. A removable cover is not automatically a machine-washable cover.
How do I stop sofa cushions wearing unevenly?
Where the sofa design allows it, plump, reposition or rotate loose cushions periodically so the same area does not receive all of the regular use. Not every cushion is reversible, so check the individual sofa before turning it over.
Can sunlight fade a fabric sofa?
Long periods of strong direct sunlight can affect the appearance of many upholstery fabrics. Where practical, reduce prolonged exposure using the room position, curtains or blinds.
How should I clean velvet, chenille or Jumbo Cord?
Use gentle routine surface care and avoid assuming that one cleaning method applies to every fabric in the same family. Water, detergent, dry cleaning and steam-cleaning suitability depend on the specific upholstery specification. Check the fabric care information or contact M&H before deeper cleaning.