Learn how to clean a linen couch, chairs and more! Whether you have Restoration Hardware furniture or linen slipcovered furniture of any brand, these tips and tricks will make your upholstery care so easy!
While linen can feel intimidating to clean and care for, it doesn’t have to be that way! Learn how to care for Restoration Hardware Belgian Linen and so much more.
It has been quite a few years now since we took the leap and purchased several pieces of Restoration Hardware furniture.
I know some folks thought I was crazy for purchasing “white” pieces, but after giving it significant consideration, I felt confident in our decision.
We wanted timeless pieces that could transition with our style and family, so we were willing to make an investment.
One of the most commonly asked questions I receive is how we keep our furniture so white, so I thought I’d share the details of how we clean our Restoration Hardware linen furniture.
I love RH style and have chatted about other subjects regarding their furnishings before. Be sure to read all about my love/hate relationship with this store, as well as how to seal a Restoration Hardware dining table.
Restoration Hardware Belgian Linen
We purchased Belgian linen slipcovered sofas and dining chairs so that we could easily clean them or if worse came to worst, we could replace them.
We also eventually purchased an upholstered headboard for our master bedroom in Belgian Linen Sand. I just can’t get enough of this warm style and color!
Thankfully, to date we haven’t had to do either! I’ve been incredibly pleased with how easily they spot clean with water. We’ve spilled wine, soda, mac and cheese, had chocolate faces rub against them, etc.
While these tips work for cleaning Restoration Hardware Belgian linen, they will also help you clean any linen couches, chairs, ottomans and more!
I love linen so much, in every area of our home! Read all about our Linen Bedding, too.
At nearly five years, I feel like its time to clean our love seat, which gets the most use. There are no stains, but the arms are starting to look a little dingy overall. I’m a little scared to wash it in fear of the massive steam that will likely follow, so I’m going to start with a mild upholstery cleaner.
We’ve had great success using it on our deconstructed chairs, which have required routine cleanings, the fabric has been less forgiving than Belgian linen.
How to Clean Linen Furniture
- Vacuum. It keeps dust particles out of the fabric, making it appear brighter.
- Soak up the stain with a white cloth by blotting (don’t rub).
- Spot clean with distilled water and a white cloth.
- Use a mild soap, distilled water and a white cloth. (I was told this over the phone from one of the RH representatives.)
- Last Resort – Dry cleaning any linen slipcovers that can be removed.
- Or, machine wash on cold and hang to dry. Note that you should do all pieces in the set so that the color is consistent.
One thing to keep in mind about cleaning your Restoration Hardware furniture beyond vacuuming and spot cleaning is that doing so will remove the protective finish that we’ve come to love and appreciate.
Fabric contracts when washed and dry cleaned. Use a steamer to loosen the fabric and tug.
I can only hope that they’ll bottle it and share it with us someday, but until then, we live in our home and enjoy our furniture.
We don’t live in a museum, nor do we treat our home like one. I am not my mother’s daughter when it comes to furniture, protecting it with a blanket until company arrives.
We have been successful machine washing our linen, steaming and tugging to loosen the fibers. Proceed at your own risk.
Maintaining Restoration Hardware Linen
Linen will wrinkle. That’s the beauty of the natural fibers, and the joy of this casual look! Just like your linen clothes, linen sheets and more, it’s important to be aware of this trait before purchasing.
I embrace the look of linen rather than stress about steaming it. If wrinkles bother you, I’d avoid the linen fabrics because they almost always look less than perfect.
Our dining chairs are always a hot mess because the girls love hiding under them and where the fabric is tailored at the leg of the sofas, we brush past frequently and they tend to curl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try a baking soda paste! As with many natural cleaning options, a little baking soda and vinegar can go a long way.
First, blot the stain to remove remaining moisture. Then add a little sprinkle of baking soda, moistening with a damp sponge. A little vinegar can help activate the stain removal, as well.
Surprisingly, yes! While this fabric has a delicate look, it holds up beautifully to daily wear and tear.
As with clothing stains, always blot, then gently rub a pasta of cleaning solution into the stain to attempt removal. For linen, try a paste of baking soda and vinegar or a basic dish soap. A mild detergent can also work wonders!
Love cleaning tips? Check out my Folex post to learn why it’s my favorite cleaning product!
Can I use Folex on white linen?
Hi Elle,
I haven’t tested Folex on white linen but we have used it on our natural colored linen sofa with great success.
I hope that helps!
Julie
What mild soap or detergent can your recommend?
I have vacuumed my cloud couch and it seems like the fabric is starting to pill. Have you noticed that vacuuming your couch has caused the fabric to soften?
I purchased a 96” RH BEIGE BELGIAN LINEN SOFA@ a local donation center/thrift store for $100 bucks! Perfect condition, no obvious stains, just needed an overall cleaning for the obvious reasons….but did I mention it was $100 bucks??$100 Bucks!! I got it home, removed all 6 covers off their feather/foam wrapped cushions. I decided to wash just one at first. I figured if I ruined it, it was just 1, not 6. I added “oxy clean” to the cold, delicate cycle wash. It turned out that was a mistake:( it removed the linens beige tones within its dyed textile leaving the pillow cover looking almost completely white, removing its original SAND color WEAVE :(… I’m so bummed. Needless to say I washed the other ones and OMITTED the OXY🤦🏻♀️… much better, I’m going to try the steam to loosen the fabric but for now, I need to know how I can fix what I’ve done? Replace? Or,,,, wash them all with oxy but then it won’t match the sofa itself? Helpppp
I’m sorry, I’m not familiar with how oxy effects linen, but you can purchase replacement covers.
Hi Julie, I found your blog while searching for information about cleaning my RH dining chair slipcovers. I want to wash them but am afraid they will shrink and I will be unable to get them back on the frame. I experimented with one of the little lumbar pillows and it did indeed shrink. Have you washed yours on delicate and cold water? And they went back on? Mine are quite similar to yours. Would love your thoughts, thanks.
I have, but it does require steaming to help them return to shape. If possible, spot treat. You may also refer to your local dry cleaner.