Fabric Cleaning Codes: Code W, Code S, and More

Today I took an interesting call about fabric cleaning codes which led to some new insights and I’d like to share them with you.

The caller said,

I have some new furniture that says it should only be cleaned by a Code S-Compliant Cleaner. What is Code S? Do any of your cleaning products meet these coded standards?

Caller to Titan Labs

Well, that threw me a little because I had heard of this coding system but knew nothing about it. So, I hit the internet, took some notes, and came up with these suggestions.

Apparently fabrics are coded as a way of categorizing them by the materials they’re made from and the type of cleaner that should be used for cleaning them. Professional cleaners are well-educated on these codes and differing types of fabrics, but to the average consumer, like me, they can be confusing.

Here are the three codes that cover most fabrics:

Fabric Cleaning Codes: Code W

Code W fabrics consist of man-made fibers of polyester, nylon, acetate, and olefin. These kinds of fabrics can be cleaned with water-based cleaners. Hence the name, Code W. 

Our Titan Green Multipurpose Cleaner is ideal for these fabrics. It comes to you as a concentrate so you decide how strong to mix based on your needs.

Fabric Cleaning Codes: Code S

Code S fabrics include organic fibers such as cotton, rayon, linen, wool, silk, denim, velour, damask, etc. These fabrics should be cleaned with solvent-based cleaners. Hence the name, Code S.

For these fabrics we suggest Cleanup Solvent-22, which is not water soluble and dries quickly. Since it doesn’t leave a residue, you can use it on everything.

Mixed Fabric Cleaning Codes

There’s a mixed code called Code W/S, obviously a combo of the first two. You can use either Titan Green or Cleanup Solvent-22, whichever you prefer.

Fabric Cleaning Instructions for Code W

Here are some instructions for cleaning your Code W fabrics using Titan Green Multipurpose Cleaner.

Tools Required:

• Titan Green Multipurpose Cleaner
• Soft nylon-bristle brush
• Damp cloth

Steps:

1. Apply Titan Green to the stain
2. Wait 20 seconds
3. Agitate with a stiff bristle brush
4. Wipe with a damp cloth

Fabric Cleaning Instructions for Code S

Here are some instructions for cleaning your Code S fabrics using Cleanup Solvent-22.

Tools:

• Cleanup Solvent-22
• Soft nylon-bristle brush
• Dry cloth

Steps:

1. Apply Cleanup Solvent-22 to the stain
2. Agitate with a stiff bristle brush
3. Wipe up with a dry cloth

So, it’s true, I do seem to learn something new every day. Keep the calls and emails coming! Have something helpful to include, please leave your comments below.

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