Tips on Cleaning Stains off Furniture
It’s inevitable that furniture will eventually get stained, whether it’s from pets, spilled liquid or messy food, or just everyday wear and tear. The question is, what is the best method of removing the stains when they occur? We understand the panic that sets in when wine, ink, spaghetti sauce, juice, or a puppy mess leaves a stain on your couch, but as long as you act quickly, there is hope of removing the stain. And if these following tips don’t completely remove the stain, Fibrenew offers residential upholstery repair throughout the Denver area. The technicians at Fibrenew have experience removing a variety of stains from several items and materials, including furniture upholstery and leather on couches, car seats, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and more. We have been in the upholstery repair industry since 1987 and have seen all types of stains, faded leather, torn vinyl, and dozens of other issues. With our specialized proprietary product line, we have become experts in repair techniques and leather dye color matching technology to give our customers a peace of mind. Rather than throwing away a great piece of furniture, get in touch with our team and we’ll restore your furniture or vehicle interior to a like-new condition.
Removing Stains From Furniture
First, Check the Cleaning Codes
Rather than waiting for a spill to happen, take a minute right now to find a cleaning instruction tag on your furniture. They can typically be found on the bottom of a cushion or with the manufacturers booklet that comes with the piece. The tag will have four letters that will determine the type of cleaning method needed depending on the material of the couch. The letters include:
- W: This is typically on furniture made with polyester, nylon, herculon, acetate, or olefin and requires water-based upholstery cleaner. When cleaning stains off of these materials, mix a teaspoon of dish soap with a cup of warm water and dab the stain with a clean cloth. Avoid getting too much soap on the stain and definitely try not to scrub it, which will only set the stain even further. After the stain is gone, use a clean rag and water to help rinse away the soap.
- S: For items made with cotton, linen, rayon, wood, silk, denim, velour, or damask, you’ll want to use a solvent-based cleaner. Cleaning these materials will require a product with ingredients like pine oil, d-limonene, and glycol ethers. These are stronger chemicals that can help pull the stains from these fabrics.
- S/W: Either water- or solvent-based cleaning products will work, but which one you use will depend on the type of stain. If the stain is water-based (juices, pet stains, etc.), use water and an everyday dish soap. With oil-based stains (pizza sauce), use solvent-based cleaning products. You’ll often see this code on items that are made with a combination of both natural and synthetic fabrics.
- X: Known as one of the more rare cleaning codes, you may find this one an item that is made with more delicate materials. In this case, it’s best to work with a professional upholstery repair service. Avoid using any cleaning products, but stick with brushing or vacuuming to remove dirt.
Cleaning Specific Types of Stains
It’s important to understand that removing stains from furniture is a process that can take some time and effort, but it’s still important to act as quickly as possible to prevent the stain from drying completely. If you have any questions about DIY stain removal, reach out to the team at Fibrenew. If you’re not confident that the stain can be removed, let the pros take over — we’ll come to your home with our own proprietary product line and you can be confident the job will be done right.
Grease Stains
Create a paste using baking soda and warm water and spread the mixture onto the stain. Leave the paste on the stain for at least 10 minutes, allowing as much of the grease to be soaked up as possible. Use a vacuum to remove the baking soda and gently scrub the surface with a toothbrush and a touch of dish soap. Use a clean, wet cloth to blot away any remaining stain.
Wine
Dip a clean cloth into some sparkling water and blot (don’t wipe) the stain. If the stain had enough time to really set in, try a combination of vinegar and a teaspoon of dish soap mixed with cold water. Blot the area with a clean cloth afterwards to rinse the area.
Beer or Coffee
These liquids are a little simpler to handle. Beer can be cleaned with an ice cube and a small amount of dish soap. For coffee stains, you’ll simply need a little bit of dish soap. Just use a clean cloth to dab at the stain and rinse the area with a clean cloth and water.
Pet Stains
Similar to grease stains, pet stains can be cleaned using vinegar and baking soda. Pour the vinegar onto the stain and let it soak into the material. Then sprinkle a small amount of baking soda and let the mixture rest, allowing it to dry. Use a vacuum to clean away the dried paste and then you may need to use a small amount of dish soap to complete the process.
Contact the Experts at Fibrenew
When dealing with stains on furniture, there’s still a little bit of doubt that the entire stain can be removed even with the best cleaning methods. When you’re not confident, it’s best to contact professional residential upholstery repair services. With professional products that are proven to restore the look and color of the material, you can be confident that there won’t be a trace of the stain on the furniture. Fibrenew has been providing upholstery repair and reconditioning services to the Denver area since 1987 and we know what it takes to completely restore the look of stained furniture. Don’t get rid of barely used furniture when you can restore it instead. Get in touch with our team today for an estimate.
