Real life has a way of getting messy. And when it does, having furniture that’s ready to roll with it can make all the difference. That’s why we frequently recommend performance fabrics like Nuvella Fabric to our customers — especially for heavy-use rooms and homes with indoor/outdoor spaces.
However, it’s important to remember that every performance fabric has its own personality. As such, each type of performance fabric comes with its own set of unique features, strengths, do’s, don’ts, and special care instructions. Today, we’re diving into Ashley Furniture’s exclusive Nuvella performance fabric, and how to care for it. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know.
[Disclaimer: While Nuvella is typically made from synthetic, solution-dyed acrylic, some Nuvella branded fabrics are blended with other fibers like polyester. As a result, some Nuvella fabrics may have special care instructions. If in doubt, please check with your upholstery’s seller and/or with the manufacturer for cleaning codes and specific care instructions. Need help on how to check and decipher your sofa’s cleaning codes? Read more about those here.]
What Makes Nuvella Fabric Special?
Nuvella is a solution‑dyed synthetic performance fabric made exclusively by Ashley Furniture. It is most often made of acrylic and/or polyester, and is engineered for durability, stain resistance, and fade resistance — even outdoors.
Thanks to the solution dying process, colors are integral to each fiber, meaning that Nuvella’s color maintains its vibrancy over time and resists UV fading. The fabric is also water and weather-resistant, easy to clean, and able to stand up to moisture, pets, dirt, and daily wear. All of these reasons make Nuvella a versatile choice for both indoor and outdoor furniture.
That being said, “easy to clean” doesn’t mean “no care needed.” With a little regular attention and prompt stain prevention, Nuvella can stay looking sharp for years.
Everyday Maintenance for Nuvella Upholstery
Frankly, doing the little things to prevent accumulation of stains or damage is key to the longevity of any furniture. This holds true even for performance fabrics like Nuvella. To keep your Nuvella furniture looking its best do the following on a regular basis:
- Vacuum or brush regularly to remove dust, dirt, pet hair, and debris. A soft brush or upholstery attachment helps preserve the fabric texture.
- Alternatively, shake off or gently brush away dry debris like crumbs or dust — especially if the furniture is outdoors or frequently used.
- Rotate or flip cushions if possible (for pieces with unattached cushions and pillows). This helps distribute wear evenly.
- Spot‑clean promptly after spills to reduce chances of stains setting in. Especially with food, drinks, or outdoor debris.
- For Nuvella-upholstered poolside patio furniture, give it a quick rinse after use if exposed to saltwater, chlorinated water, or sunscreen to prevent accumulation.
Making these simple steps part of your regular weekly cleaning routine will help prolong fabric life, preserve appearance, and reduce the deep‑cleaning needed later.
How To Spot Clean Nuvella Fabric (Light Spills & Everyday Stains)
For typical spills — coffee, juice, soda, light food messes — you can clean Nuvella easily with mild soap and water. As with other types of fabric, it’s important to take quick action once you know you’ve got a stain in order to prevent it from setting in.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Warm water
- Clean white cloth
- Mild dish soap or gentle detergent (think Dawn or Woolite)
- 32 oz spray bottle (optional)
- Soft-bristle brush (optional)
- Chlorine bleach (for creating diluted bleach solution for stubborn stains)
Here are your first steps:
- Blot the spill immediately with a clean, dry cloth to absorb excess liquid – don’t rub.
- Mix a few drops of mild soap with warm water in a bowl. If using a 32 oz spray bottle, use 1-2 tablespoons of your mild dish soap / gentle detergent and fill with warm water.
- Apply the soapy solution directly to the stained area and gently dab or brush the stained area with clean cloth or soft-bristle brush.
- To remove all soap residue, rinse thoroughly by blotting with a cloth dampened in clean water, and once again by blotting dry.
- Allow to air dry.
This method should work adequately for most common household messes.
How To Handle Tougher or Set‑In Stains on Nuvella Fabric (Bleach‑Safe Option)
This is the next step if the method above fails to remove the stain. For these stubborn stains — think muddy shoes, pet messes, wine, or deeply set spills — Nuvella’s construction allows a diluted bleach‑and‑water solution without damaging the color or integrity of the fabric.
Just remember when working with bleach, always work in a well-ventilated area, wear gloves, never mix with ammonia or other cleaners, and test your solution in a small inconspicuous area first.
Next steps:
- First, mix your bleach solution. Ashley recommends 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water, or a 1:16 ratio. For those using a spray bottle, this converts to 2 oz of bleach to 32 oz of lukewarm water.
- Apply the bleach solution directly to the stained area using clean cloth or soft-bristle brush. Remember to put a towel or other barrier down to prevent bleach getting onto other materials that don’t have Nuvella’s color fastness.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all residue. Rinse and blot until blotting comes back clear.
- Let air dry completely before using.
Because Nuvella uses solution‑dyed fibers, this process should not affect color — but avoid oversaturating and always protect underlying cushions or surrounding surfaces.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Nuvella Fabric
- Don’t rub aggressively or use abrasive brushes since this may wear fibers over time.
- Avoid saturating the fabric. Excess moisture can lead to waterlogging or slow drying (especially important for outdoor use).
- Please don’t skip rinsing after soap or bleach. Residue can attract dirt or degrade fabric over time.
- If the furniture has removable cushion or pillow covers, be sure to always follow the manufacturer‑provided care codes or machine washing instructions carefully.
- Avoid high heat including drying with hair dryers, hot water extraction, etc. as high temperatures can melt synthetic fibers.
General Long-Term Tips for Preserving Your Nuvella Upholstery
- When outdoors, bring cushions inside during heavy rain or extended wet weather to prevent water pooling or accumulating in seams.
- Store cushions or use covers if furniture will be unused for long periods — helps preserve color and prevent mildew or dirt buildup.
- Rinse thoroughly after bleach cleaning to remove all residue and avoid long‑term fiber damage.
- Check tags/labels on cushion covers — if machine‑washable, follow those instructions strictly.
- Where possible (if you have unattached cushions and pillows), rotate cushions and seat positions regularly to distribute wear evenly.
Got More Performance Fabric Questions? Let Us Be Your Upholstery Resource!
At Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, we know how confusing fabric care can be — especially when different performance fabrics behave differently. If you're unsure whether your furniture uses Nuvella, or if a stain just won't budge, bring by a cushion swatch or contact us here. We’re happy to help you identify your fabric and walk you through the safest cleaning method for your piece.
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 LiveSmart Fabric: A Care Guide for Moisture-Resistant Performance Upholstery
How To Clean Sunbelievable Fabric: A Care Guide for Indoor/Outdoor Performance Upholstery
