Fabric & Care Guide

Every Lighouse piece is handmade to order in our workshops, and a little care goes a long way in keeping it looking its best. This guide covers our upholstery fabrics, including easy-clean FibreGuard fabric, and our solid wood frames.

Our upholstery fabrics are supplied by Home Fabrics, one of South Africa’s leading fabric houses. Many of them use FibreGuard stain-free technology. If your piece is upholstered in a FibreGuard fabric, you’ll see the FibreGuard panel on its product page. If you’re unsure, contact your nearest Lighouse store and we’ll check for you.

Cleaning FibreGuard fabric

FibreGuard protection is built into the fibre itself rather than sprayed onto the surface, so it doesn’t wear off over time. Most spills lift with just cold water. You don’t need any special cleaning products.

What you need: cold water (a spray bottle works best), white paper towels, a microfibre cloth and, for stubborn marks, a plain white bar of household soap.

Step 1: Lift any residue

For thick spills such as mud, sauce or lipstick, gently lift off as much as you can with the edge of a teaspoon or a flat utensil. For liquids such as coffee, wine or pen ink, go straight to step 2.

Step 2: Wet and blot

Mist the stain with cold water and blot it with a white paper towel. Press, don’t rub: rubbing tears the paper towel and pushes its fibres into the fabric. Keep misting and blotting until no more of the stain comes off onto the towel.

Step 3: Work it out with a microfibre cloth

Dampen the area again and rub gently in small circles with a damp microfibre cloth. For a stubborn stain, rub a little white bar soap onto the damp cloth, work the area, then rinse with more water and blot so no soap is left behind. Leftover soap can leave a watermark.

Step 4: Let it air dry

Leave the fabric to dry naturally. Don’t use a hairdryer, heater or any other heat to speed it up.

Good to know

  • Cleaning straight away is easiest, but FibreGuard stains can still be removed hours or even days later using the same steps.
  • FibreGuard is stain-resistant, not waterproof. A large spill can soak through to the foam underneath, so blot liquids up quickly and use a mist of water rather than pouring it on.
  • Always use cold water. Hot water and heat can set some stains.

What to avoid on all upholstery

  • Bleach, vinegar, solvents and other household cleaning hacks.
  • Stain-removal sprays and aftermarket fabric protectors. FibreGuard fabrics don’t need them.
  • Hairdryers, heaters and direct heat on damp fabric.
  • Steam cleaning. If a piece needs a deep clean, use a professional upholstery cleaner and tell them the fabric is FibreGuard.

Everyday upholstery care

  • Vacuum regularly with a soft upholstery brush to stop dust settling into the weave.
  • Plump and turn loose cushions now and then so they wear evenly.
  • Keep upholstered pieces out of strong direct sunlight, which can fade fabric over time.
  • If your fabric isn’t FibreGuard, blot spills immediately with a clean, dry white cloth and contact us before using water or any cleaner.

Caring for your wood frame

Our frames are handcrafted from SPF wood (spruce, pine and fir), a natural material that will gently mellow with age.

  • Dust with a soft, dry cloth. For marks, use a cloth that is barely damp and dry the surface straight away.
  • Wipe up spills immediately so liquid doesn’t soak into the wood.
  • Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners and silicone polishes.
  • Keep pieces out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, fireplaces and air-conditioning vents, which can dry out or discolour the wood.
  • Use coasters and placemats under hot, cold or wet items.
  • Lift furniture when moving it rather than dragging it, to protect the joints and legs.

Need help?

If you’re not sure how to treat a stain, or which fabric is on your piece, our team is happy to help. Visit or WhatsApp your nearest Lighouse store in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town or the Garden Route, or get in touch here.