1. For plain weave, linen, and cotton fabrics if you need to clean them, you will want to cold water, machine wash them, as long as they are preshrunk, and color fast. If you have items made of this that you can't wash in your machine, that are not preshrunk, or that are not color fast, you will probably want to hire a professional upholstery cleaner, or have items dry cleaned. If the finish on it is shiny, do not iron it, as it will damage the finish.
2. For silk fabrics such as crepe, taffeta, and satin, you will want to simply dry clean them. If you want to iron these fabrics, make sure to iron them on the dull side. You do not want to have silk in direct sunlight as it will ruin it. So, if you are going to use it as drapes, you will want to line them with satin. If you have silk upholstered furniture, you will want to keep it out of direct sunlight.
3. For rayon fabrics, you will want to have the this professionally cleaned. Rayon is machine washable, but most fabrics are coated with a water soluble coating, and thus, can be ruined if washed. If in question, you can always check the care label.
4. For jacquards such as brocade, damask, matelasse, tapestry that have a pattern created by weave requires mild washing. For cotton and linen, use the gentle cycle on the washing machine. If the fabric contains silk, dry clean only. Before laundering, mend, clip, or point out any loose threads to a professional upholstery cleaner, you do not want those to get snagged, and ripped.
5. For pile fabrics such as chenille, corduroy, velvet, velveteen, if made with preshrunk cotton, these can be machine washed in cold water. Be mindful of sharp objects, which can snag fabrics and destroy construction. If these fabrics are acetate, polyester, etc it should be professionally cleaned. Never iron these fabrics, the pole will flatten, and can't be repaired.
6. For wool fabrics, you will want to get them dry cleaned, and you will want to be careful with them because wool is difficult to repair if it gets torn.

Really, the best way to take care of upholstery fabric is to have it professionally cleaned. Most products that are not professional can damage fabrics, and leave streaks and stains. You want to make sure that you follow care guidelines.

No matter what upholstery fabric you have, there is likely a tag that will give you direction for how to clean them. When in doubt, call a professional upholstery cleaner.

Proper care and cleaning of upholstery fabrics will keep them looking great, and keep their color looking great longer.

Part of proper upholstery care is keeping it out of direct sunlight, not letting things be spilled on it, and making sure to clean it regularly. Direct sunlight will cause the colors to fade and the materials to weaken. So, whenever possible, line your upholstery fabric drapes, and keep upholstered furniture out of the sun.