How To Remove Stains From Upholstered Furniture

Ingredients

• Clean, white cloths
• Dishwashing liquid
• Rubbing alcohol
• Baking soda or cornstarch
• A vacuum with a hose attachment
• Dry-cleaning solvent

Steps

1. Clean stains immediately - Blot spills immediately with a clean, white cloth, and then clean the spot as quickly as you can. The more time that elapses, the more difficult it will be to remove stains. (22 sec. )
2. Make sure you blot. Never rub a stain into fabric; it will embed the stain into the material, making it harder to remove. (35 sec. )
3. Look at the label - For upholstered furniture, check for an instructions tag before attacking any stain. “W” means you can spot-clean the item with water-based detergent. “S” indicates cleaning with a water-free product, like dry-cleaning solvent. “SW” means you can use either water or a dry-cleaning product. “X” means the item should be professionally cleaned. (40 sec. )
4. Never machine wash slipcovers – they could shrink. Take them to the dry cleaners. (61 sec. )
5. Test a small area - You have several options for washable upholstery, depending on the stain. Test an inconspicuous area of the furniture before applying any product. (66 sec. )
6. Fight food stains - Get most food and beverage stains out by swishing 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with 2 cups of cool water and dabbing the resultant suds onto the stain with a clean, white cloth. Blot until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat the dabbing and blotting until the stain is gone. Dab with cold water and blot dry. (76 sec. )
7. Be berry careful - For berry stains, follow the previous procedure, but replace the dishwashing liquid solution with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 2/3 of a cup of rubbing alcohol. (96 sec. )
8. Absorb grease - If gravy, margarine, mayonnaise, cooking oil, or butter has left grease marks, sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on it, let it stand for about 15 minutes, then vacuum. Then apply a dry-cleaning solvent to the area with a clean, white cloth, blotting it until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat with solvent as needed. (108 sec. )
9. Know some exceptions - With peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, and yogurt stains, even on washable upholstery, use dry-cleaning solvent, available online. Apply it with a clean, white cloth, blotting, and repeating until the stain is gone. (129 sec. )
10. Victorian upholstery was usually stuffed with horsehair. (142 sec. )