How to Get Stains Out of Furniture

By Matt Oden | Comments | Furniture and Upholstery Stains

Having people over and wondering how to get stains out of furniture? Maybe you are just looking to give your furniture a new fresh clean look. Either way there are a lot of great cleaning procedures to try when removing stains from furniture.

Remove stains from Furniture

Butter Stain Removal From Furniture

what you will need:

  • Dry-cleaning solvent
  • Clean white cloth
  • Warm water
  • Mild PH-balanced detergent

Many choose to have a great buttery snack on the couch while watching a movie. 9 times out of 10 someone drops a piece of their popcorn and causes a butter stain on the couch. This greasy stain might be an eye sore to you, but there are a few great tricks to quickly and efficiently remove the stain. Like most stains the earlier you treat the it the easier it will be to remove.

  1. Choose a dry-cleaning solvent that will work best for your situation. You can find this product in most grocery and retails stores.
  2. Apply the dry-cleaning solvent to a clean white cloth. Do not apply the solvent directly to the stain.
  3. Blot the stain with the dry-cleaning solvent ensuring you do not rub. Rubbing the fabric will only make the stain worse.
  4. Continue to blot the stain until the dry-cleaning solvent has been completely worked into the furniture. 
  5. Next, mix 1 tablespoon of a mild ph-balanced detergent with 1 cup warm water.
  6. Dampen another clean white cloth with the soapy mixture. Blot the stain with the damp cloth. Continue to do this until this until you think the stain has been removed.
  7. Once you think the stain is removed rinse the area with clean warm water. This will ensure you remove all of the cleaning products from your furniture.
  8. Allow the stain to air dry.
  9. Inspect the stained area. If the stain remains repeat the stain removal process.

How to Remove Ink Stains From Your Furniture: Method 1

What you will need:

  • Clean white cloth
  • Hairspray

Ball Point pens, especially blue ones, have a tenancy to leak and cause stains. Some of these ink stains could end up on your furniture. Of course no one wants an ink stain on the sofa or chair, but you should not fret yet. There are a number of different ways to remove ink stains from your furniture.

  1. Your mother was right when she told you hairspray was good to use when getting out ink stains. For this method you will need to spray hairspray onto a clean white towel. Do not spray the hairspray directly on the stain.
  2. Blot the ink stain with the hairspray dampened towel.
  3. Continue to bot until the stain has been removed.
  4. If the stain can be removed with just the help of the hairspray than you should take a second clean white cloth and dampen it with water.
  5. Blot the stained area with the water to remove any of the remaining hairspray.
  6. If the stain has not been removed move on to method 2.

How to Remove Ink Stains From Your Furniture: Method 2

What you will need:

  • Clean white cloths
  • Rubbing alcohol

The next method to removing ink stains from your furniture calls for rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is a bleaching agent and can change the color of your furniture. Before using the rubbing alcohol, ensure it is safe to use by testing a small area of fabric. If the color has not changed or faded it is safe to use.

  1. Dampen a clean white cloth with rubbing alcohol.
  2. Blot the ink stain until it has been removed.
  3. Use a second clean dry white towel and dampen it with water. Blot the stained area to remove any of the remaining rubbing alcohol.
  4. If the stain still remains you can move on to method 3.

How to Remove Ink Stains From Your Furniture: Method 3

What you will need:

  • Clean white cloths
  • Nail polish remover

The third method of cleaning ink stains from your furniture calls for nail polish remover. Nail polish remover does have chemical properties that may change the color of your furniture. Again test a small part of your fabric to ensure it is safe to use.

  1. To begin dampen a clean white cloth with nail polish remover. As you may know nail polish remover evaporates quickly so you will need to work fast.
  2. Blot the ink stain from the outside into the center of the stain until the ink has been removed.
  3. Flush the area with a clean white cloth dampened with warm water.
  4. Allow the area to air dry.
  5. Inspect the stained area. If the stain remains move on to method 4.

How to Remove Ink Stains From Your Furniture: Method 4

What you will need:

  • Clean white cloths
  • Turpentine

The final method, of removing ink stains from your furniture, calls for turpentine. Turpentine is a very strong cleaning agent and should not be used on your furniture unless all of the other methods failed. This chemical is also very flammable and you will need to handle it with care. 

  1. To begin dampen a clean white towel with turpentine.
  2. Blot the ink stain from the outside into the center of the stain with the dampened cloth.
  3. Continue to blot in this manner until the ink has been removed.
  4. Once the stain has been removed use a dry clean white towel to blot the stained area dry. You can also flush the stained area with warm water. This should help remove any of the remaining turpentine and also help reduce any fumes that linger.

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