People are only just realising what ‘WS’ symbol on sofa labels mean

If you’ve ever been left with a stubborn stain on your sofa, fear not, as a cleaning guru has revealed the secret to tackling those pesky marks lies in understanding the care labels.

Laura de Barra, an Irish author and property portfolio developer, has become a sensation on TikTok for her clever tips on removing stains from clothing, such as ink, grease, and suncream.

Now, she’s sharing her wisdom on how to keep sofas spotless.

In her book, ‘Decor Galore: The Essential Guide to Styling Your Home’, Laura offers a straightforward guide to deciphering those cryptic symbols on your sofa label.

For anyone struggling with a difficult stain or unsure about the right cleaning approach for their sofa fabric, Laura’s insights are invaluable.

Laura explained in an August TikTok video: “The number one thing you need to remember when it comes to deep cleaning your couch, couches are like clothes. They will have a care label that teaches you how they need to be treated.”

For those lucky enough to find a ‘W’ on their sofa’s label, Laura assures you can “breathe a sigh of relief”.

Sofas with this symbol can be cleaned using water and a bit of washing up liquid, or even various steaming techniques, according to the expert, reports the Mirror.

Laura advised: “If you are seeing ‘S’, that’s for solvents. ‘S’ is pretty much the dry clean version of sofas. It will break the stain down faster, and it will dry much quicker than water.”

For those grappling with water marks on their sofa, Laura clarified that a ‘WS’ symbol indicates your couch can be cleaned with either water or solvents.

She elaborated: “This is because solvents take far less time to dry than water. So when you spill something on it or clean it with water, it will leave a mark. If you have a water stain right now, use a solvent cleaner, it will disappear.”

She further explained that ‘WS’ signifies the option to use both water or a solvent cleaner. As for the ‘X’ symbol, Laura warned: “Don’t even think about it.”

This symbol means that no cleaning agents should be used on the fabric. In such cases, Laura recommends seeking professional cleaning services.

Laura concluded: “No liquid at all. No solvent, no water. A dry cloth, a light vacuum, professional help for these girls.”