Upholstery fabric guide
Acetate Fabric and Upholstery Guide
Acetate is a manufactured fibre made from cellulose, usually wood pulp or cotton. This guide covers how it is made, how to care for it and when to call a professional.
- Silky lustre
- Heat sensitive
- Semi-synthetic
- Weaker when wet
- Usually dry cleaned
- Cleaned across Brisbane
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WoolSafe® Approved ProductsFor wool and other natural fibres, we use low-alkalinity, independently tested solutions that preserve the fibres, protect colourfastness and leave no sticky, soil-attracting residue.
CleanSeal® Approved ProductsFor synthetic upholstery fabrics, we use high-performance solutions approved to clean deeply while maintaining your manufacturer’s fabric protections.
Weaker when wetWater can damage it
Heat sensitiveCan melt or glaze
Silky lustreLooks like silk
Usually dry cleanedLow-moisture clean
The fabric
What Is Acetate Fabric?
Acetate is a manufactured fibre made from cellulose, usually wood pulp or cotton. It is known for its silky feel and soft drape, and it is often used in fabric blends.
Acetate is a semi-synthetic fabric. Knowing which fibre your upholstery is made from is the first step to cleaning it safely, because every fibre reacts differently to water, heat and cleaning products.
Acetate at a glance
- Silky, smooth surface with a natural lustre
- Drapes well and takes dye richly
- Resists shrinking, moths and mildew
- Weaker when wet
- Sensitive to heat: it can melt or glaze
- Dissolves in acetone, including nail polish remover
- Not very resistant to abrasion
How it is made
How Is Acetate Fabric Made?
Cellulose is chemically treated with acetic acid to form cellulose acetate, which is dissolved and spun into fine filaments. The result looks and drapes like silk, at a much lower cost.
The way a fabric is made decides how it feels, how long it lasts and how it should be cleaned, so it is worth knowing before you buy or book a clean.
Where acetate upholstery is used
- Decorative cushions and throws
- Curtains and drapes
- Formal or occasional chairs
- Blended lounge fabrics
- Linings and trims
Care
How to Clean Acetate Upholstery
Always check the manufacturer’s care tag first. W means water-based cleaners are fine, S means use a solvent or dry-cleaning product, WS means either, and X means vacuum only.
Do
- Vacuum gently with a soft brush
- Blot spills straight away with a clean white cloth
- Test any cleaner on a hidden area first
- Keep it out of strong sunlight
- Check the manufacturer’s care tag
Avoid
- Rub or scrub wet fabric
- Use acetone-based products
- Use hot water or high heat
- Soak the fabric
Steam or dry
Acetate Upholstery Cleaning: Steam or Dry?
Because acetate weakens when wet and is sensitive to heat, a low-moisture dry clean is usually the safer choice, and steam is generally avoided.
See how dry cleaning works.
What our technician does
- Inspects the fabric and its care tag
- Vacuums to remove dry soil
- Pre-treats stains and marks
- Chooses the safest cleaning method
- Deodorises and dries it quickly
Professional help
When to Call a Professional for Acetate Upholstery Cleaning
Acetate marks easily and water rings are hard to fix at home. A professional inspects the fabric first and uses a low-moisture method to protect it.
We come to you anywhere in Brisbane. Read about our couch cleaning service.
Call a professional when
- A stain will not lift by blotting
- The care code says S or X
- The piece is delicate, antique or valuable
- There is an odour or sign of mould
- It has been over a year since the last clean
Related guides
Acetate Upholstery and Related Fabric Guides
Explore all of our upholstery fabric guides.
Rayon, also sold as viscose, is a soft, silky fabric made from regenerated cellulose, usually wood pulp.
Learn moreSilk is a natural protein fibre spun by silkworms, valued for its lustre, softness and strength.
Learn moreQuestions
Acetate Upholstery FAQs
Can acetate upholstery be steam cleaned?
Usually not. Heat and moisture can damage acetate, so we normally use a low-moisture dry clean after inspecting the fabric.
Why does acetate leave water marks?
Water can leave rings on acetate as it dries. Blotting rather than rubbing, and professional cleaning, reduce the risk.
Is acetate a good fabric for upholstery?
It is not especially resistant to abrasion, so it suits low-traffic pieces better than a busy family lounge.
What is acetate fabric made from?
Acetate is a manufactured fibre made from cellulose, usually wood pulp or cotton.
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