You bought an expensive couch with the thought that now your house looks elegant. But after a very little period of time, it gets stained. There can be many reasons for staining like
- First of all your pets and kids can be the prime culprit for staining on your couch.
- You can also become a reason for staining your couch, maybe mistakenly.
- Your guest or anyone who comes to your house sits on your couch only and becomes a cause for couch staining.
No matter whatever be the reasons, couch stain removal can be easy. But, you need to be careful and active so that you can take the right action at the right time.
Types Of Stains On Couch
Many people just after seeing a stain, find a method to remove it immediately without knowing the reason and type of stain it is. So, there are many types of stains and you cannot be able to find a method for removing them without understanding their nature. Different types of stains are:
- Permanent stains: Food colourings, old urine stains, hot tannin-based stains, cosmetic products, strong dyes, paints, etc. are the substances that cause permanent stains. They cause damage to the fibres of the fabric.
- Solvent soluble stains: These are generally oil-based stains that cannot be treated with water. They can be caused by grease, chewing gums, oily foods, creams, solvent-soluble adhesives, varnishes, wax, ointments, etc.
- Dye stains: These stains are treatable and caused due to various food dyes, furniture stains, artificially coloured drinks, etc.
- Tannin stains: The substances that involve tannins cause this type of stain and are found in tea, red wine, coffee, cola drinks, vinegar, beer, chocolates, cider, fruit juices, etc.
- Protein stains: These types of stains are caused due to the staining of various body fluids like blood, sugars, and other food or drink types.
Therefore, make a study of all the types of stains and identify the type of stain on your couch. You can decide on a perfect method only after this.
Methods Of Stain Removal
There are many methods with the help of which you can remove various kinds of stains from your couch. These are as follows:
- Brushing
- Flushing
- Pretreating
- Presoaking
- Scraping
- Freezing
- Sponging
- Tamping
Couch Stain Removal Tips And Tricks
When you suddenly see a spot or stain on your couch, you get stressed. But do not panic! It is just a stain and it can be removed, only you have to handle the situation with care. Here are some tips and tricks for handling such a stressful situation:
Actions Before Removing Stains From The Couch
Do not directly attack the stain with any stain removal product immediately. Relax and check the tag on the fabric of the couch which shows some codes having some meanings like:
- X: Vacuum or light brushing only. Must be professionally cleaned.
- S: Dry cleaner detergent only. Do not get over wet. Do not saturate.
- WS: Do not saturate with liquid. Use mild detergent with a steam vacuum or a dry-cleaning detergent.
- W: Do not be overwhelmed. Clean only with a water-based shampoo or foam-upholstery cleaner.
Stain Removal Tips For Each Type Of Upholstery
There are some tips that help you to remove the particular stains from a particular fabric when you do not know. Let’s take a look at the following tips:
- Microfiber
This is durable and easy to clean but it is important to check the fabric tag to get the correct cleaning approach. For cleaning use blot the stain, spray it with distilled water and scrub it with a light-coloured sponge, and then dry it. Brush it in a circular motion to re-fluff the microfiber.\
- Cotton and linen
First of all, check the cleaning instructions as linen couches may require professional upholstery cleaning or are machine-washable. If no instructions are provided then use the normal technique. Apply a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris. Proceed with the spot test for a small amount of mild detergent-water mixture. If passed then wet a soft cloth and dab the stain.
- Wool
If allowed in the instructions you can remove the covers and wash them in washing machines. Otherwise, first vacuum clean your couch, add detergent to warm water, wet your cloth, and dab the stain without scrubbing. Again dab the stain with water only.
- Synthetic fibre
After checking the label, clean the upper layer of soil and dust with the help of a vacuum cleaner. Brush the stain for the removal of stubborn debris. Clean and dab it with a mild detergent-water mixture using a cloth.
- Leather and vinyl
They are easy to clean and stylish. For the removal of stains, you can use non-detergent soap with warm water. Wet a cloth and wipe the stained area. Re-wipe the area with water and dry it.
How To Keep Your Furniture Stain Free
Once you clean and remove stains from the furniture, there are tips following which you can prevent your couch from further staining. They are given below:
- Invest in a stain-resistant couch.
- Get some fashionable slipcovers.
- Treat stains immediately.
- Use a Spray-On Fabric Protector Treatment.
- Clean your couch regularly.
To Summarise
For the complete removal of stains, you must know the reason for staining, and the types of stains, only then you will be able to remove them. There are many methods for the removal of stains but first of all, you must check the tag on the fabric of the couch for instructions and then use the appropriate method. If given on the label, take help from a professional. After removal of the stain, use the fabric protector and regularly clean your couch to prevent further staining.
