Our cushions exceed industry standards and will hold their shape for years. To avoid uneven wear on a particular cushion or area, simply flip, and, if possible, rotate to a different position on the piece. For down cushions and back pillows, a quick fluff rejuvenates them to their desired shape. When spot cleaning fabric, be sure to remove the cushion cover, so as not to get your insert wet. If a spill happens, please remove the insert and allow it to fully dry before adding back the cover.

Natural Fibers vs. Synthetic Fibers
While we love natural fibers, please keep in mind, natural fabrics without any treatment are more prone to dirt, stains, and showing overall use — so more caution and upkeep are required. It’s good to understand that synthetics and stain resistant finishes offer better protection for your upholstery compared to natural fabrics.

Some additional things to know: 

• Tighter weaves are helpful in repelling dirt and stains. 
• Especially true with natural fibers,  darker fabrics show less dirt, but you’ll need to take care with cleaning, so as not to pull the color out — blot, don’t rub, and follow our cleaning tips.
• Ivory and cream fabrics are more susceptible to dirt, dark denims, and general staining.
• Get an upholstery cleaning tool.
• Check out the handy guide comparing synthetic fabrics (Polyester and Olefin) vs natural fabrics (cotton and linen) at the top of our samples page.

To wrap it up - no fabric is infallible, but you’ll need to take stock of your space and determine what works best for you and your crew.

Light vs. Dark Fabrics
That is the question. Both light and dark upholstery have their place in decorating. Light colors offer warmth, brightness, openness, and a soft backdrop for an inviting space. Dark colors can bring coziness, mood, sophistication, or a bold luxury that’s also great at hiding dirt! What’s best for your space (and your household) is definitely something to consider when choosing fabric — as is how often you  want to clean. Lighter colors will naturally require more care and cleaning can be tougher, while darker colors allow you to go longer without the use of a vacuum or upholstery cleaning tool. With dark colors, you’ll need to take care not to repetitively rub the fabric upholstery when cleaning (blot, don’t rub!), so as not to pull color away from the fabric. With light colors, you’ll need to take care with dark denim and everyday messes. It’s best to think about your needs as well as your preference…and then go for it!

For more information on how to make this decision, read through our blog post aptly titled: How To Choose A Fabric for Your Sofa.

Natural Fibers vs. Synthetic Fibers
While we love natural fibers, please keep in mind, natural fabrics without any treatment are more prone to dirt, stains, and showing overall use — so more caution and upkeep are required. It’s good to understand that synthetics and stain resistant finishes offer better protection for your upholstery compared to natural fabrics.

Some additional things to know: 

• Tighter weaves are helpful in repelling dirt and stains. 
• Especially true with natural fibers,  darker fabrics show less dirt, but you’ll need to take care with cleaning, so as not to pull the color out — blot, don’t rub, and follow our cleaning tips.
• Ivory and cream fabrics are more susceptible to staining with dark denim and staining.
• Get an upholstery cleaning tool.
• Check out the handy guide comparing synthetic fabrics (Polyester and Olefin) vs natural fabrics (cotton and linen) at the top of our samples page.

To wrap it up - no fabric is infallible, but you’ll need to take stock of your space and determine what works best for you and your crew.

Light vs. Dark Fabrics
That is the question. Both light and dark upholstery have their place in decorating. Light colors offer warmth, brightness, openness, and a soft backdrop for an inviting space. Dark colors can bring coziness, mood, sophistication, or a bold luxury that’s also great at hiding dirt! What’s best for your space (and your household) is definitely something to consider when choosing fabric — as is how often you  want to clean. Lighter colors will naturally require more care and cleaning can be tougher, while darker colors allow you to go longer without the use of a vacuum or upholstery cleaning tool. With dark colors, you’ll need to take care not to repetitively rub the fabric upholstery when cleaning (blot, don’t rub!), so as not to pull color away from the fabric. With light colors, you’ll need to take care with dark denim and everyday messes. It’s best to think about your needs as well as your preference…and then go for it!

Vacuuming
Because dirt and dust can cause any fabric to wear faster, we recommend weekly vacuuming with an upholstery attachment (a hose or light brush will do the trick). Using the upholstery attachment, vacuum left to right in short, overlapping strokes (or right to left if you’re feeling like a rebel), starting at the top of your piece and working toward the bottom. This side-to-side method is especially helpful for highly textured materials like chenille or boucle fabrics that hold on to dirt. Switch to a crevice nozzle to vacuum under cushions and around seams.

Fading
Avoid positioning your furniture in direct sunlight, or toss a throw blanket over your piece to lessen the chance of fading from sun exposure.

Snags + Pilling
A good fabric shaver will help tackle pilling. Occasional snagging is also normal: if you find a loose thread here or there, use a felting needle or tool to push it back into the fabric. Threads can be snipped with a sharp pair of scissors as a last resort, but note that this can cause further unraveling. Please be careful not to cause further damage.

Fabric Cleaning Codes
New to upholstery cleaning? We got you covered. This quick guide offers the various cleaning code designation upholstery fabric can have. Scroll much further below to learn about your specific fabric.

• Cleaning Code (W)
  A "W" indicates that your piece can be cleaned with water. This means you're safe to use an upholstery cleaner along with distilled water on your spill or stain.
• Cleaning Code (S)
  An "S" indicates that your piece needs to be cleaned with cleaning solvents (dry clean only) and will not react well if water is applied to it. Spot cleaning is only advised if the product is meant for home dry cleaning use. Make sure that after using a product of this nature to use a blow dryer on low to fully dry the spot. Stains, spills or dirt in general should be cleaned as soon as possible to retain the longevity of the colors and the fabric.
• Cleaning Code (W/S)
  A "W/S" indicates that you can use either dry cleaning solvents or water with mild hand soap for cleaning. Clean spots as soon as possible before they have a chance to set in.

Watermarks
Regular or tap water can sometimes leave a ring or marks if used to clean a spill or stain. In order to avoid this, we recommend using distilled water when following our care tips. If you already opted to test fate and used regular water, don’t worry, not all is lost (fingers-crossed!)

1. If the stain is on a cushion cover, remove the cushion cover as quickly as possible and treat the cover separately. Add a fan on the cushion insert until fully dry.
2. Blot the stained area with a fresh towel.
3. Using a liberal amount of distilled water to "blend" in the stain. Often it is best to wet the entire fabric panel, or wet from seam to seam. Be careful not to over-soak the cushion.
4. Best practice is to use an upholstery cleaning tool (like this one) to remove/suck out liquid and water staining. Second-best is to blot the area with a clean towel pulling the liquid out of the upholstery fabric.

Start here: Spot Cleaning Care | Non oil-based stains
Life means inevitable spills and oops, but never fear—your fabric is cleanable! Each fabric has an upholstery cleaning code to identify which kind of products and cleaning steps to use. Follow these detailed tips to keep your fabric looking fresh: 

1. Promptly address stains and avoid excessive rubbing or brushing, especially with darker fabrics. We like to say blot, don’t rub! 
2. Check your chosen fabric’s cleaning code on our Samples Page alongside our handy Fabric Cleaning Code guide above.
3. Cushion Cover: If the stain is on a cushion cover, remove the cushion cover as quickly as possible and treat the cover separately from the insert. Point a fan on the cushion insert until fully dry. Spot clean using the instructions below. If your fabric is machine washable, spot clean, then follow the machine washing instructions below and lay flat to dry.
4. Upholstered Section: If your fabric has a Cleaning Code W, upholstery cleaners (like this one) can work magic. 
5. Spot Clean: Fill your upholstery cleaning tool with distilled water and wet the stain and around the area.
6. Use the upholstery cleaning tool to pull the moisture back up into the machine. Again be careful not to rub the brush harshly against the fabric, especially darker colors.
7. Repeat as needed.

We recommend vacuuming weekly and upholstery cleaning or professional cleaning about every 12 to 18 months, or more frequently for households with pets.

Start here: Spot Cleaning Care | Oil-based stains
Ugh pizza grease! Sometimes food falls off our plates. Sometimes little fingers use the sofa as a napkin. Whatever the reason, we’ve got tips to try and help you out.

1. Promptly address stains and avoid excessive rubbing or brushing, especially with darker fabrics. We like to say blot, don’t rub!
2. Check your chosen fabric’s cleaning code on our Samples Page alongside our handy Fabric Cleaning Code guide above.
3. Cushion Cover: If the stain is on a cushion cover, remove the cushion cover as quickly as possible and treat the cover separately from the insert. Point a fan on the cushion insert until fully dry. Spot clean using the instructions below. If your fabric is machine washable, spot clean, then follow the machine washing instructions below and lay flat to dry.
4. Spot Clean | Phase One: 

• Dust cornstarch as an absorbent to cover the stain. 
• Wait at least 3 minutes and vacuum thoroughly.

5. Proceed to Stubborn Stains below.

Phase Two: Stubborn Stains | Attack Mode Activated
Sometimes stains are tougher than an 800 lb gorilla. After years of testing and playing with fabric stains, we’ve found the best method is quite simple.

1. You’ve followed the tips above, but you’re still stuck with a stain. Proceed with step 2.
2. After wetting the stain and surrounding area with distilled water, use a white Dove bar soap* (yes, really) rubbing soap into the stain gently with your finger. It’s magic, gentle, and works on 99.9% of stains.

*White Dove bar soap has been pretty full-proof around here, but if you prefer another soap, try a gentle dye-free dish soap. Either way, you’ll be pulling the soap back out with the upholstery cleaning tool, so pick your preference. Some stains, like turmeric or stains that have already set, are impossible. Get a blanket and give up now.

3. Using an upholstery cleaning tool (like this one) filled with distilled water, suck the soap and liquid back up into the machine.

4. Be sure to remove all soap and liquid.

5. Repeat as necessary.

Coloring Stains (i.e. crayons, ink, markers etc.)
Oof. These are tough. This advice has worked on many occasions, but please test a discrete section of fabric before attempting. We’re rooting for you.

1. Remove any debris from fabric such as crayon wax.
2. Lightly, but directly spray stain with isopropyl alcohol.
3. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to gently rub and pull ink/crayon from material. Be careful not to rub aggressively, especially with darker colored fabrics.
4. Repeat as needed. You can also try allowing isopropyl alcohol to set for 1-2 minutes before removal, but test in a small, discrete area on the fabric first.

Even More Stubborn Stains
What in the world did you get on your Medley piece? We gave you our best advice. It might be time to call in the professionals.

Machine Washable Fabrics | Use sparingly, but easy peasy!
Hooray! The fabric you chose is machine washable. Now what? While we love this feature on upholstery fabrics, we do have a few cautionary pieces of advice. We do not recommend frequent machine washing of your cushion covers. Hand washing is best to avoid wear and the possibility of slight shrinkage. Our Spot Cleaning tips (see above) are still recommended as the best “stain” remover. However, if your dog ran through mud puddles outside and came racing back in to snuggle you on your sofa, you might need to throw those cushion covers in the machine. Here’s what you do:

• Machine washing upholstery fabric is primarily recommended for removing dirt or loose stains. Spot cleaning (see above) is still recommended as the best “stain” remover.
• Remove cushion covers and turn them inside-out.
• Wash on cold using a gentle, mild detergent.
• Lay flat to dry fully before placing them back on your cushions.
• Squish and push your inserts back into their covers, adjust as needed.

Note for natural Fibers (cotton, linen): As with many natural fibers, machine washing and laying flat to dry can cause the fibers to tighten up. Fabric will soften back up after some use.

Is leather the right material choice for you? When considering leather for your furniture upholstery, there's much to weigh beyond just its timeless appeal. High-quality leather offers exceptional durability and develops a beautiful patina over time, aging gracefully alongside your life's stories. However, leather does require more specific care than many fabrics and comes at a premium price point that reflects its lasting quality. For homes with pets, leather can be both a blessing (easy to wipe clean) and a challenge (those claws can leave their mark faster than a teenager abandoning family game night). Embracing leather means welcoming these scuffs and scratches as part of its natural character — each mark telling the story of your home's living history. At Medley, we source only the finest, environmentally responsible leathers that balance luxury with our commitment to sustainability — ensuring your choice feels as good for your home as it does for the planet.

Leather develops character with time and use. Traditionally, marks, scuffs, and even stains add character to leather. With a little routine care, your furniture will look and feel its very best for years to come. 

Dusting
Because dust absorbs moisture and can cause leather to dry and crack, we recommend periodic dusting with a clean cloth and/or vacuuming with an upholstery attachment (a soft brush will do the trick). Use a soft, clean, white cloth dampened with distilled water when needed.

Conditioning
Condition your piece every 6 to 12 months or as needed to keep leather hydrated and soft. Truly! This is the best way to care for your leather piece. Your local climate will affect how often you'll need to condition, and your couch may need more care if you live in a dry location. Be sure to check which type of leather you have to select an accompanying conditioner and test any new products on a hidden area first.

We don't recommend a specific conditioner because companies often change their formulas without notice. Please test the leather prior to application.

Scratches and scuffs
Leather will naturally show marks from use over time—if desired, scratches and scuffs can usually be rubbed out with a clean, dry, soft cloth. Conditioning as needed with a natural leather conditioner will keep leather hydrated and soft, reducing the amount of scuffs and scratches.

Fading
Avoid direct sunlight and high heat to prevent discoloration and drying out.

Cleaning
Refer to our specific leather care guide below for tips. Many spills and stains, even if absorbed into the leather, may dissipate over time: an added bonus of the beautiful way leather ages!

Non oil-based stains
Life happens and when it does, we often accidentally curse. After that, try this:

1. Swiftly blot the stain with a dry white cloth to absorb all moisture. Avoid rubbing the leather and spreading the stain. 
2. Before moving onto the next steps on your stain, first test a discrete area to understand how the leather reacts and will appear after drying.
3.  If necessary, use clear, distilled lukewarm water with the cloth and gently wipe the spill dry. 
4. Bodie, Milo | Non-corrected leather: Using a blow dryer and super soft nylon brush, you can also brush the affected area to reduce the stain’s appearance.
5. Tomo | Corrected leather: Using a blow dryer on a low setting, dry the area.
6.  If that doesn’t do the trick, mix three parts distilled water with one part mild, clear soap and repeat earlier steps as needed. Don’t forget to test first!
7. After liquid is removed, condition to replace moisture and reduce any lasting staining.

Oil-based stains
The sofa is not your napkin! If you find yourself saying that to little ones, guests, or yourself,  you might need these care tips. Also, we all make messes from time to time. Go easy on yourself and here are some tips to try and help you out.

1. Wipe off using a dry, white, absorbent cloth. 
2. If the spot does not dissipate in several days, try sprinkling the area with cornstarch, then cover it with a damp towel. Allow this to set for about one hour and remove the damp cloth. 
3. Bodie, Palomar, Milo | Non-corrected leather: Using a blow dryer and super soft nylon brush, you can also brush the affected area to reduce the stain’s appearance.
4. Tomo | Corrected leather: Using a blow dryer on a low setting, dry the area.
5. After liquid is removed, condition to replace moisture and reduce any lasting staining.

Ink or marker stains
The worst. Please note: this advice has worked on many occasions, but test a discrete section of leather before attempting and we’re sending you good vibes!

1. Remove any debris from fabric such as crayon wax.
2. Try using a pen eraser or a dry cleaning pad by softly rubbing the leather. Do not press firmly or continue if color begins to lift from the leather.
3. Test first, then apply isopropyl alcohol to a clean cloth or paper towel and gently rub and pull ink/crayon off the leather.
4. Repeat as needed. You can also try allowing isopropyl alcohol to set for 1-2 minutes before removal.

After liquid is removed, condition to replace moisture and reduce any lasting staining.

Scratches and scuffs
Our natural woods age beautifully with use and time. Surfaces of tables and case goods like credenzas and dressers can be lightly sanded as necessary to remove scratches or scuffs. Be sure to refinish afterward with an appropriate wood oil or wax. As always, test on a non-visible part first to see if the color change is desirable.

Some of our products feature natural wood veneers in certain areas, including the back of some storage pieces and the back and sides of our Buden Bed. We do not recommend sanding these areas.

Cleaning
Spills happen, of course, but try to clean them up as soon as possible: the longer moisture sits on wood, the more likely it'll leave a stain. To dust or wipe down your piece, simply use a lightly damp rag with water. If possible, wipe the whole surface to let the finish wear evenly.

Protection + Preventing Stains
We're big fans of coasters and placemats, especially when you're setting down anything warm or damp, as natural wood is very sensitive to heat and moisture. To help prevent stains, apply a wood oil or wax as needed, but test first on a non-visible area.

Humidity + Temperature Change
It’s normal for frames made with solid wood to expand or contract slightly due to extreme heat and cold or fluctuations in humidity. Changes like these may cause some temporary creaking or squeaking —this isn’t anything to worry about, and generally any noises like this will go away as the wood settles in a new position.