What you can safely do at home depends on two things: whether the cover comes off, and what the fabric underneath is actually made of. Get either one wrong and you risk shrinking, staining, or discoloring a piece that was otherwise fine. Here’s how to approach it by fabric family, and when to stop and call in a professional instead.
First, check whether the cover is removable
This determines everything else. Across the Innovation Living range, detachable, machine-washable fabric upholstery covers are available for Newilla and the Newilla Lounger only — on other collections, the upholstery isn’t sold as a separate removable part, so cleaning happens in place.
Carnell is a partial exception worth knowing: its mattress cover is separately removable and machine washable at 140°F / 60°C, even though the sofa’s fabric upholstery isn’t. If your model has that distinction, treat the mattress and the upholstery as two different cleaning problems.
If the cover is removable
Wash according to the care label — every fabric in the range is rated machine washable, but wash temperature and cycle recommendations vary by textile, so check the specific fabric before you throw it in. Wash covers separately from other laundry, use a mild detergent, and avoid high heat in the dryer even if the wash temperature is warm — heat is what causes shrinkage, more often than the wash cycle itself.
If the cover isn’t removable: clean in place
This is the situation for most of the range. The approach depends on the fabric composition:
Polyester and polyester-blend fabrics (Halifax, Avella, Melange, Elegance, Adario, and most of the range) — Blot spills immediately rather than rubbing, which pushes the stain deeper into the weave. For general cleaning, a mild soap solution applied with a soft cloth, worked in small sections and allowed to air dry, is usually safe. Elegance is water-repellent, which buys you more time on liquid spills before they set — but repellent finishes still benefit from prompt blotting rather than letting a spill sit.
Chenille (Esina) — Chenille’s textured pile traps dust and debris more than a flat weave, so regular vacuuming with an upholstery attachment matters more here than on smoother fabrics. For spills, blot rather than scrub — scrubbing chenille can crush or distort the pile, which shows permanently even after the stain itself is gone.
Textured weaves (Taura) — Similar approach to chenille: vacuum regularly to prevent debris from settling into the texture, blot spills rather than rub, and test any cleaning solution on a hidden area first since textured weaves can show water marks more visibly than flat fabrics.
General rules that apply across every fabric
Vacuum regularly, using an upholstery attachment, even on fabrics that don’t show dust obviously. This is the single most effective thing you can do to extend the life of any upholstery, and it takes minutes.
Blot, never rub. Rubbing spreads a stain outward and can push it deeper into the fibers. Blot from the outside of the spill toward the center to avoid enlarging it.
Test in a hidden spot first. Before applying any cleaning solution to a visible area, test it on the underside of a cushion or another spot that won’t show. This is especially important on custom or specialty fabrics.
Keep direct sun exposure in mind. Fabrics with lower colorfastness ratings — see our fabric guide for the specific figures — will fade faster in strong, direct sunlight regardless of how well they’re cleaned. Rotating cushions periodically helps even out wear and sun exposure.
When in doubt, use a professional upholstery cleaner rather than experimenting, particularly for anything beyond a minor spill — deep cleaning, pet stains, or anything already set into the fabric. A professional will also know how to handle the specific fabric composition without guessing.
What not to do
Don’t use bleach or harsh solvents on any of these fabrics unless the specific care instructions for that textile explicitly say it’s safe. Don’t saturate the fabric with water trying to fully rinse out a cleaning solution — oversaturating can cause the padding underneath to take longer to dry and, in some cases, mildew. Don’t put a non-removable cover in a washing machine — it isn’t designed to come off, and forcing it can damage the frame attachment points.
Frequently asked questions
Can I machine wash my sofa bed’s upholstery? Only if the cover is detachable, which across this range means Newilla or the Newilla Lounger. On other collections, clean the fabric in place rather than removing it.
What’s the best way to remove a fresh spill? Blot immediately with a clean cloth — don’t rub. The faster you address it, the less likely it is to set into the fibers.
How often should I vacuum my sofa bed? Regularly, with an upholstery attachment — weekly is reasonable for a piece in daily use, less often for occasional-use pieces. It’s the easiest maintenance step and the one most people skip.
Is chenille harder to clean than other fabrics? It requires more careful handling because its textured pile can crush if scrubbed. Regular vacuuming and gentle blotting keep it looking right; aggressive cleaning can permanently flatten the texture.
Should I call a professional for a stain? For anything beyond a fresh, minor spill — especially pet stains or anything already dried — a professional upholstery cleaner is the safer choice over experimenting with home solutions.
Fabric choice determines a lot of your long-term maintenance, not just how the piece looks on day one. See our fabric guide for durability ratings by textile, or get in touch with questions about a specific fabric.