The Stubborn Stain Saga

By this point, I’m reasonably certain that the majority of responsible furniture owners are aware that spills and stains on upholstery should be cleaned immediately with all due haste. It’s the right thing to do and stands the best chance of successful stain removal. But let’s consider for a moment the times when it’s just not possible to immediately handle a stain.

A quick search of the internet might lead you to believe that no one in the history of the world has failed to blot and treat a spill in a timely manner. That you and your upholstery are utterly doomed because your stains have set-in and nothing – at least nothing short of inventing a time machine, crashing the lively spaghetti and red wine party that marred the vintage set of dining chairs you just scored at the flea market, and cleaning those spills when they occur – will be of any use in removing the stains.

All kidding aside and in spite of several Google search result pages to the contrary, there are things you can do to revive a stained piece of upholstery even if the staining took place long ago. In unfortunate true stories from my life, a few years ago, unbeknownst to me, a mover cut himself and bled on all of my living room furniture while loading it into storage for three months. I know, and I only discovered the well-set-in stains upon moving into my new apartment. I was blown away – there were blood smears on everything! I really wish this person had spoken up and taken advantage of the ample first aid kit I tote with me during moves, but he didn’t. So, in addition to being worried about the mover and what his work situation must be like if he’s afraid to mention being wounded on the job, I had a lot of set-in stains to deal with. Really, a lot.

Tackling Set-In Stains

Here’s what I learned along the way about getting old stains out of upholstery:

Vacuum First

Upholstery should be vacuumed frequently to keep the fabric in good shape and prevent dust and crumbs from settling into the body of the furniture. In the case of an old stain, it’s surprising how much a simple vacuuming can help fade the stain. It should always be the first step in dealing with this kind of damage – you don’t really know what you’re dealing with or how bad the stain truly is until all of the loose particles have been sucked away by the vacuum.

Check Cleaning Codes

Check your upholstery cleaning codes. This gets you on the right track of how to best tackle your stain. Some pieces can be cleaned with water, others will require moving directly into various solvents. If your furniture lacks a cleaning code, which is often the case with vintage and antique pieces that have been modified over the years, do a simple spot test on a hidden piece of upholstery. I like to test water, vodka, and vinegar because they’re always my first choices for cleaning before getting into the more heavy-hitting chemical stuff.

Gentle Steam

If your furniture can be cleaned with water, hitting the stain with a bit of steam loosens it up and makes the stain more responsive to treatment. I typically just grab my iron and use the steam button for this application. I don’t find it necessary to drag out the steamer to deal with small areas.

Soap and Water

This is the phase where you cross your fingers and hope that a simple solution is all that’s needed. If your furniture can be cleaned with water, mix a little dish soap with cool water and, using a wrung-out sponge, blot the stain with the soap mixture. Take care not to rub at the stain – at this point, it’s unlikely that the stain will set in deeper, but rubbing can weaken and pill your fabric. Next, rinse the sponge and use just water to blot out some of the soap mixture. Press dry with a cloth or paper towels.

Solvent Cleaning

If your furniture cannot be cleaned with water, try using vinegar or vodka on a cloth to blot the stains. The smell of both the vinegar or the vodka will disappear when the area is dry.

Heavy-Duty Cleaners

If a more gentle clean doesn’t work, it’s time to go heavy-duty and break out the tough cleaners. Any cleaner you choose to use should be spot tested in a discreet place on the piece of furniture. Some people swear by Resolve or Tuff Stuff, and blogger Jenny Komenda has had some truly remarkable results with Folex. I’m fortunate that my stains came out without having to venture into this territory, but on several separate occasions when an entire glass of red wine or a mug of hot coffee has spilled, Wine Away has been a real lifesaver. It managed to entirely remove red wine stains caused by an unfortunately placed glass being flung across the room by an exuberant hand gesture from the two brand-new cream side chairs in my living room.

Persistence Pays Off

If your stain has survived this entire cleaning process, you are dealing with one stubborn stain. As exhausting (and possibly irritating) as the process can be, doing it all over again can give you the result you’re looking for. The previously mentioned wine on white chairs situation took two full passes before the stains came out. I really thought when I entered Phase 2 for the second time that there was no way these stains were going anywhere, but perseverance paid off, and the stains disappeared.

The seemingly impossible-to-remove set-in stain has been conquered. Hooray! Feel free to share your accomplishments with friends, so long as you offer to help out if they ever have need of your stain-removing powers.

Dealing with Fresh Stains

Just in case a spill happens in the future that you can take care of immediately, here are some tips and tricks for how to spot clean upholstery stains that have just happened:

Baking Soda Magic

Like with so many other materials and features around the house, baking soda can help eliminate odors in your couch as well. This miracle substance immediately gets to work capturing odors and loosening stains after it is applied to your couch’s fabric. Apply baking soda to your cushions, arms, backrest, and even crevices. You may want to give more attention to stains. Let the baking soda sit for 20 minutes if you are eliminating minor odors. Feel free to leave it for a full hour if you have some serious stench to deal with. Now, break out the vacuum and hose everything up.

Blot, Don’t Scrub

It’s important to remember that baking soda is not a substitute for actually steam cleaning or blot cleaning your sofa. Those methods are the better way to effectively eliminate stains and dirt hanging onto the fabric fibers. When dealing with fresh spills, always remember to blot and never scrub. Scrubbing can distort the fabric’s texture and spread the stain further.

Upholstery Cleaning Codes

Not all upholstery is created equal. Using the wrong technique could cause permanent damage. Just like the textiles you wear, each piece of upholstered furniture in your home comes with a label outlining the specifics of caring for it. Neglecting to follow those directions could result in permanent damage.

One of the key details included on your couch or favorite lounge chair’s tag is its upholstery cleaning code – a letter or combination of letters that corresponds to the manufacturer’s recommended method of spot-cleaning the fabric. These codes exist, says Kevin Kluth, president of Pinnacle Eco Clean in Rochester, NY, “so you don’t get into trouble.”

Regardless of the recommended cleaning method, Kluth advises testing it in a small, inconspicuous area first, such as the zippered part of a cushion. Remember also to always blot and never scrub to avoid spreading the offending substance or distorting the fabric’s texture. For even more guidance, call the retailer that sold you the piece. “A lot of stores have different concepts of what these codes mean, and whoever you’re buying that sofa from knows that fabric the best,” says Tracy Morris, founder of DC interior design firm Tracy Morris Design.

Whether you’re dealing with a stubborn set-in stain or a fresh spill, proper spot cleaning of your sofa fabrics is crucial to maintaining the beauty and longevity of your Sofa Spectacular purchase. With a little know-how and some elbow grease, you can keep your cozy retreat looking its best for years to come.