How do I clean upholstery?

I have always had good luck using Resolve carpet cleaner on furniture. You might want to use a brush made for suede to run over where your husband lays his head. That should bring the nap back up somewhat after cleaning.

What type of fabric?

You can try a carpet cleaning machine and use the upholstery attachment. That may bring up the nap. If you have a steamer--you could steam the area and use a stiff hand brush to try and bring up the nap. If that doesn't work it just may be that the chair fabric is going to stay matted no matter what you do. You could find a pretty place mat or table runner to drape over the head rest or a pretty towel-both would be easy to wash. If you are handy with a sewing machine you could also sew a little slip cover that fits over the headrest like a mini pillow case or just a decorative rectangle that drapes on the chair.

I agree with GK--I bet a steamer and brush would help. I have a Jiffy steamer and it has a few different uses beyond steaming clothes. It can help re-fluff carpet after you've had a heavy piece of furniture on it, so I bet it could help with your matted upholstery. Alternatively, you might shave a very small amount of the upholstery pile off if it's too matted and the fibers are tangled together.

I was going to suggest the above. My dad had the same concerns with the head area. We put soft towels over the area.

Hi Sylvia, depending on the type of fabric you have, I have had luck with a small steamer...it seems to fluff everything back up again.

Try a "Gleener" get it Amazon,Bed Bath Beyond,on line