How to Remove Stains from your Sofa

We’ve all been there. Either we sit down to have a TV dinner one Friday night and drop a big dollop of curry sauce on the couch, or one of the kids smears their greasy hands on the cushions or even the dreaded moment when you get a splash of white wine on your brand new couch.

Then the heartbreak, the sinking feeling comes and we aren’t entirely sure how to get this stubborn stain out of the sofa. We’ve compiled a handy guide to show you how to get some of the most common stains out of your sofa safely and efficiently.

Red Wine

Blot the stain immediately after it happens to soak up any moisture. Then, combine some liquid washing up soap and a tablespoon of white vinegar to around two cups of water. Soak a clean cloth in the solution and sponge the stain gently to remove.

Pen Ink

Gently apply some rubbing alcohol to a clean, dry cloth. Don’t pour the alcohol directly onto the stain as this may cause your sofa to become discoloured or misshapen. Slowly dab the cloth around the stain and wash it disappear. Always test this on an inconspicuous area of your sofa first, though! Grab another clean cloth and dip in water, then simply wipe the area and pat gently with a dry towel.

Grease

Cover the stained area with some talcum powder or bicarbonate of soda. Allow the powder to cover the stain and leave for around 30 minutes. This will help to absorb some of the grease. Next, remove the powder by slowly vacuuming the area. Alternatively, cover the stain with some mild washing up liquid. Grab a cloth and some warm water and dab over the stain to remove.

Urine

Yes. Really. Whether it belongs to your toddler or your pet, urine is one of the most common stains to occur on our upholstered sofas so be sure to spray a little vinegar-water solution over the affected area. This will help to remove the stain and get rid of the unsightly stench. Next, sprinkle a tiny bit of bicarbonate of soda on the urine patch as this will help to absorb the moisture. Hoover it up after 20 minutes.

Blood

Accidents can and do happen and even something as small as cutting your finger can sometimes mean your sofa resembles a murder scene. To easily remove bloodstains, simply add one teaspoon of salt to a bowl of cold water. Grab a clean cloth and dip into the solution, then blot or dab the bloodstain. Let the mixture work into the fabric and allow it to sit for around 30 minutes. Once it’s soaked, use a soft brush to scrub and the bloodstain should be completely removed.

Chocolate

Fill a small bowl with cold water and add a few drops of liquid washing up soap in. Using a clean cloth, dampen the stain starting from the outer edge and slowly work your way to the middle, gently rubbing until the stain begins to lighten. Rinse the solution from the fabric by wiping with a different, clean damp cloth and wipe with a dry towel to remove any excess moisture and to avoid discolouration.

Voilà! These simple tips should help you remove almost any stain from your fabric or upholstered sofa in no time meaning you can get on with your day!

How do you get stains out of your sofa? Be sure to let us know via Facebook or Twitter!