Here’s how to clean RH Cloud Couch fabric without damaging it: vacuum weekly with an upholstery attachment, blot spills the moment they happen, and spot-clean with a mild, water-based solution. Skip heavy scrubbing. Beyond that, your exact method depends on the fabric. Restoration Hardware sells the Cloud collection in more than a dozen materials, from Performance Linen Weave to genuine Italian leather.
This guide walks through RH’s own care instructions by fabric type, plus the tools, steps, and mistakes to avoid, so your sofa keeps its shape and softness for years. If you’re still deciding whether the sofa is worth the investment in the first place, our RH Cloud Sofa Review covers comfort, cost, and long-term durability in detail.
Quick Answer: How to Clean RH Cloud Couch Fabric
Vacuum every one to two weeks with an upholstery attachment. Blot spills right away instead of rubbing them. Spot-clean with a water-based cleaner, working from the outside of the stain inward. Rinse out any soap residue, then let the fabric air dry. For an overall refresh, use an at-home extraction tool or book a professional cleaner. Always check your sofa’s fabric tag first. A few Cloud fabrics can be machine washed, but most cannot.
Check Your Fabric Before You Clean Anything
That’s why the real first step in how to clean RH Cloud couch fabric is figuring out exactly which material you have.
The RH Cloud is not one fabric. It’s a whole collection. Covers range from performance weaves to natural linen, chenille, bouclé, wool, velvet, and both vegan and genuine leather. Cleaning steps that work well on one fabric can damage another. This step matters more than any product you buy.
Start with your order confirmation, your RH account, or the small tag sewn into a cushion zipper. If you can’t find either, look closely at the weave and feel. Performance fabrics feel slightly coated and shed water in beads. Natural linen and cotton blends feel drier and soak up moisture fast. Leather and vegan leather have a smooth, non-woven surface.
Most Cloud sofas sold today use RH’s Performance Linen Weave. It’s a blend of 92% polyester and 8% linen. Others use the Perennials Performance Textured Linen Weave, made from solution-dyed acrylic. Both resist stains and are the easiest of the group to maintain at home. If your sofa uses a natural fiber fabric, wool bouclé, or genuine leather, treat it more gently. Lean on professional cleaning sooner with these materials. (If your Cloud is upholstered in velvet, our guide to cleaning a velvet sofa covers pile-specific techniques this guide doesn’t.)
What You’ll Need
- Two clean white cloths or dish towels
- A soft-bristle vacuum attachment made for upholstery
- A lint roller
- A spray bottle
- Mild enzyme detergent, such as a small amount of dish soap or laundry detergent, mixed with lukewarm water
- An optional water-based upholstery cleaning kit made for performance fabric
- An optional portable extraction vacuum for deeper cleaning
White cloths matter more than they sound. Colored or patterned towels can transfer dye onto light fabric, especially when the material is damp.
Recommended Cleaning Tools for an RH Cloud Sofa
Maintaining an RH Cloud sofa requires the right tools to protect the fabric, preserve its appearance, and avoid unnecessary damage. These tools can help you maintain your RH Cloud sofa safely while following fabric-specific cleaning instructions.
Recommended Products:
1. RH Upholstery Performance Fabric Cleaning Kit
Best for: Performance Linen Weave and approved performance fabrics
Use for: Spot cleaning and routine fabric maintenance
2. BISSELL Little Green Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
Best for: Deep cleaning and removing spills from approved upholstery fabrics
Use for: Occasional sofa refresh and stain treatment
Check product →
3. Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
Best for: Spot cleaning, blotting spills, and everyday maintenance
Use for: Safe cleaning of light-colored upholstery
Check product →
4. ChomChom Roller Pet Hair Remover
Best for: Removing pet hair and surface debris
Use for: Quick cleaning between vacuum sessions
Check product →
5. Soft Upholstery Vacuum Attachment
Best for: Regular dust and crumb removal
Use for: Cleaning cushions, seams, and fabric surfaces
Check product →
How to Clean RH Cloud Couch: Step-by-Step (No Damage)
Step 1: Vacuum First, Every Time
Dust settles into upholstery fabric even when your sofa looks clean. Attach the upholstery tool to your vacuum. Go over every cushion, the frame, and the seams every one to two weeks. Pull cushions apart and vacuum underneath them too. Crumbs and pet hair collect in the gaps.
Follow up with a lint roller over the surface. This lifts loose dust and light debris that vacuuming alone can miss. It also preps the fabric for spot cleaning, if you need it next.
Step 2: Spot-Clean Spills and Stains Right Away
Blot up any liquid first with a clean white cloth. For anything thick, like sauce or lotion, scoop the excess away with a spoon before you touch the fabric with liquid.
Mix a simple cleaning solution. Use about a quarter teaspoon of mild detergent in one cup of lukewarm water, in a spray bottle. Spritz a clean white cloth, not the sofa directly. Work the stain from the outside edge toward the center. Small, alternating circular motions keep the stain from spreading outward.
Rinse the area with a second cloth dampened with plain water. Blot until no more soap residue transfers to the towel. Leftover soap attracts dirt over time, so this rinse step isn’t optional. Let the fabric air dry completely before you sit on it again.
Step 3: Deep-Clean for an Overall Refresh
Spot cleaning handles daily life. Every sofa eventually needs a deeper reset, especially light-colored performance fabric. You have two solid options.
The first is a portable extraction vacuum. Fill it with plain water only, and use it without a brush attachment. Move the nozzle slowly and evenly across the entire surface. This helps it dry evenly and avoids water rings.
The second option is professional upholstery cleaning. Companies that clean carpets and rugs often clean furniture too. They use hot water extraction machines that go deeper than anything available at home. This is the safer route for light fabrics, wool blends, or a sofa that hasn’t been cleaned in over a year.
Can You Machine Wash a Cloud Sofa Cover?
Sometimes, but not always. A few RH performance fabrics list machine washing as an option on RH’s own care sheet. This includes Performance Linen Weave and Performance Bouclé. The instructions call for warm water on a normal cycle, then tumble dry on low heat. Other Cloud fabrics are spot-clean only. This includes Performance Lustrous Chenille, Performance Washed Linen, and wool blends — none of these should go in a machine.
This varies by fabric, and even by production run. Confirm the exact instructions on your cushion tag before you remove a cover and toss it in the wash. When in doubt, spot-clean instead. It’s reversible. A shrunk or misshapen cover is not.
Keep the Cushions Fluffed
The Cloud’s signature softness comes from a feather-and-down wrap around a foam core. That fill naturally settles with regular use. Every few days, pat and shake the back and seat cushions to redistribute the fill. This keeps the silhouette full. It’s a comfort and appearance step, not a cleaning one, but it’s still part of routine Cloud maintenance. It takes less than a minute per cushion.
Handling Common Stains
Wine or coffee: Blot immediately, then spot-clean with the mild detergent solution above. Don’t press or rub — that pushes the stain deeper into the fibers.
Pet accidents: Blot up as much liquid as possible, then spot-clean and rinse thoroughly. Leftover residue can attract dirt and hold onto odor. Double-check the rinse step here.
Grease or oil: Scrape away any solid residue first with a dull edge. Then treat with the same water-based solution. Oily stains often need two or three rounds of spot cleaning to fully lift.
Ink or dye: These are the hardest stains to treat safely at home, and they carry real risk of spreading. If a water-based solution doesn’t lift it within a couple of attempts, stop. Call a professional rather than pushing harder.
Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t oversaturate the fabric. Excess moisture can distort the weave or leave permanent water marks, especially on light colors. Don’t use bleach or harsh household cleaners unless your specific fabric tag says otherwise. Don’t scrub in one direction with force — this can push a stain deeper or fray delicate weaves. Don’t skip the rinse step after spot cleaning; dried soap residue attracts new dirt faster than the original stain did. Don’t machine wash a cover unless your fabric tag confirms it’s safe.
How Often Should You Clean Your Cloud Sofa?
Vacuum every one to two weeks as routine upkeep. Spot-clean spills the moment they happen, never later. Plan on a deeper extraction clean or professional visit once or twice a year. Do this more often in a busy household with kids or pets. Fluff the cushions every few days to keep the seating from looking flat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RH Cloud sofa machine washable?
It depends on the fabric. Performance Linen Weave and Performance Bouclé covers can be machine washed on a normal warm cycle, per RH’s care instructions, then tumble dried on low. Most other Cloud fabrics are spot-clean only. Check your cushion tag before washing anything.
How to Clean RH Cloud Couch Without Damaging the Fabric?
The best way to clean RH Cloud sofa depends on the upholstery type. Start with regular vacuuming, immediate spill blotting, and fabric-approved cleaning methods.
Can I use a Bissell Little Green on my Cloud sofa?
RH recommends a portable extraction tool like this for at-home deep cleaning. Use it with plain water and no brush attachment, after you’ve already treated any spots or spills.
How do I clean the leather or vegan leather Cloud sofa?
Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Blot spills immediately with a soft white cloth. For tougher marks, test a mild soap and water solution on a hidden spot first. Wipe with a barely damp cloth, then dry with a separate dry one. Keep leather away from direct sun and heat.
Will cleaning affect my RH warranty?
Restoration Hardware advertises a lifetime guarantee on Cloud frame construction. That typically covers structural defects, not fabric wear or staining from everyday use. For the exact terms on your order, check the guarantee details on your RH receipt or account, or contact RH customer care directly.
The Bottom Line
That’s really the whole story on how to clean RH Cloud Couch fabric without ruining it — vacuum often, treat spills fast, and match your method to your fabric
A Cloud sofa is a big investment — see our take on whether a luxury sofa is worth it if you’re weighing that decision. The cleaning routine that protects one is simpler than it looks: vacuum often, treat spills the moment they happen, and match your cleaning method to your actual fabric instead of guessing. Do that consistently, and a periodic professional cleaning is usually the only extra step you’ll ever need.
