When everyday life brings muddy paws, spilled drinks, or unexpected messes, it helps to know that your upholstery is built to take it all in stride. For sofa shoppers who want features like moisture repellency, easy-cleaning, or just a little extra peace of mind, performance fabrics are a worthwhile investment. That’s why much of the upholstered seating we offer at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet is covered with performance fabrics like LiveSmart.
That said, not all performance fabrics are engineered with the same features and characteristics in mind. For this reason, like all other performance fabrics, LiveSmart has its own specific care instructions. If you’re here for answers on how to clean LiveSmart fabric, you’ve come to the right place. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know.
[Disclaimer: Since LiveSmart makes their performance fabrics from a number of different fibers and blends (such as olefin and polyester), different LiveSmart fabrics may have different characteristics and care instructions from one product to another. As a result, we encourage consumers to double check with their upholstery’s seller and/or manufacturer for cleaning codes and specific care instructions when in doubt. Need help on how to check and decipher your sofa’s cleaning codes? Read more about those here.]
What Makes LiveSmart Fabric Special?
LiveSmart upholstery is crafted with low-denier performance yarns (i.e. finer yarns rather than thicker, coarser ones) that have been treated with a stain-resistant and moisture-repellent finish. This treatment helps liquids bead up on the surface instead of soaking in, giving you more time to address spills before they become stains. The fabric is designed to resist stains that result from everyday accidents — from juice spills and coffee to pet mishaps and muddy footprints — making it a practical, family-friendly option for busy homes.
Their mineral-based proprietary finish is also antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and free from PFAS. As a result, LiveSmart typically requires no extra treatments or protective sprays. These built-in performance properties give you confidence to live, relax, and enjoy — without constant worry about ruining your furniture.
Everyday Maintenance for LiveSmart Upholstery
Even premium upholstery fabrics like LiveSmart require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best over the long-term. As with most things, consistency is key. To keep your LiveSmart upholstery looking fresh and working as intended:
- Vacuum or lightly brush regularly using an upholstery attachment or soft brush to remove dust, pet hair, crumbs, or other debris.
- Blot spills immediately — don’t rub. This is to prevent any residue from bypassing the stain / moisture barrier and setting into the fibers.
- Rotate or flip unattached cushions and pillows when possible to extend the life of the fabric and ensure even wear.
- For dry messes, gently brush, vacuum or lift off before using any wet method discussed below.
Integrating these simple habits into your weekly cleaning routine will help maintain the stain-resistant / moisture-repellent barrier and make cleaning easier over time.
How To Spot Clean LiveSmart Fabric (Spills & Everyday Stains)
For many common spills — drinks, snacks, mud, or simple messes — a mild soap-and-water solution is often all you need.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Warm water- Clean white cloth
- Mild liquid detergent or dish soap (like Dawn)
- Woolite fabric and upholstery cleaner
- 32 oz spray bottle (optional)
- Soft-bristle brush (optional)
Here are your first steps:
- Blot up any excess liquid immediately with a dry cloth or paper towel.
- Mix your dish soap cleaning solution — 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent in 16 oz lukewarm water. Double this to 2 tablespoons for standard 32 oz spray bottles.
- Soak a cloth in the solution and clean the stained area in a circular motion, from the outside inward, while taking care not to oversaturate the fabric.
- Blot with a clean cloth dampened with only water to remove any soap residue. Then pat dry.
- Allow to air dry fully before use.
Because of LiveSmart’s moisture-repellent finish, the fabric itself helps prevent deep absorption — giving you extra time to act before stains set. Just make sure to not oversaturate the fabric when cleaning.
How To Tackle Tougher Stains w/ LiveSmart Fabrics
LiveSmart’s stain and moisture repellent finish helps with many spills, but sometimes stronger measures are needed. Especially for stubborn stains or messes involving oils, grease, ink, or deeply set dirt. According to the manufacturer, after initial spot cleaning attempts you may consider a gentle, multi-purpose upholstery cleaner that’s safe for treated fabrics, such as Woolite fabric and upholstery cleaner.
When using a cleaner:
- Always blot gently — do not scrub aggressively.
- Always test in a concealed area first to ensure no discoloration.
- After cleaning, rinse thoroughly, blot dry and then allow to air dry completely before use.
- Take care to not oversaturate the fabric, as this can damage the fabric’s liquid-repellent, anti-stain barrier.
Because of LiveSmart’s design, you’ll often find you don’t need aggressive cleaning to restore fabric appearance — but moderation and frequent preventive care are key.
What to Avoid When Cleaning LiveSmart Fabric
- As mentioned above, avoid over‑wetting the fabric — excess moisture can damage the moisture barrier and make drying difficult.
- Avoid harsh chemicals or solvent‑based cleaners (unless specifically stated by the manufacturer).
- Don’t scrub or rub aggressively — this can damage the treated fiber finish and reduce repellency over time.
- When using cleaning products, always rinse thoroughly and let air dry — avoid high‑heat drying or machine‑drying unless care label allows.
General Long-Term Tips for Preserving Your LiveSmart Upholstery

- Treat spills promptly — the sooner you blot, the less likely a stain will set in and get past the fabric’s anti-stain barrier.
- Use protective covers or throws in high‑traffic or pet‑heavy areas to preserve the fabric’s finish and reduce wear.
- For pieces with unattached pillows and cushions, occasionally rotate cushions and seat positions where possible to distribute wear evenly and prevent fading in sun-lit areas.
- Inspect your furniture periodically — especially seams and cushion edges where dirt and moisture tend to accumulate.
- Follow manufacturer’s cleaning code or label — if covers are removable and machine-washable, use only gentle cycles and air drying.
Got More Performance Fabric Questions? Let Us Be Your Upholstery Resource!
If you’re not sure whether your sofa or chair uses LiveSmart, or you have a stain that won’t budge, feel free to drop a line on our convenient live webchat, or grab your fabric sample and swing by any Metro Atlanta or North Georgia Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet store. We’ll help you determine the right care method — because the best cleaning is gentle, correct, and effective.
For more helpful info, check out our other upholstery resources below:
How To Clean Upholstery Fabric: Our Guide to Stains & Upholstery Cleaning Codes
How To Clean Revolution Fabric: A Step-by-Step Care Guide for Olefin Upholstery
How To Clean Sunbrella Fabric: A Practical Care Guide for Acrylic Performance Upholstery
How To Clean Crypton Fabric: A Trusted Care Guide for Cleaning Engineered Performance Upholstery
How To Clean Nuvella Fabric: A Care Guide for Ashley's Solution-Dyed Performance Upholstery
How To Clean Sunbelievable Fabric: A Care Guide for Indoor/Outdoor Performance Upholstery
















