The holidays are over, and you are all refreshed and rejuvenated, but have you noticed those stubborn and lingering holiday party stains yet, whether from food spills, wine, or pet paw prints on your upholstery?
Cleaning such stains can be a headache. But with some effective cleaning solutions, you don’t have to spend a lot of effort rubbing and spending too much time.
Let’s learn how to remove holiday party stains from upholstery easily. Read on to learn more!
Understand the Upholstered Furniture Fabric Tag
Before you start cleaning your upholstery, it is a good idea to identify the fabric type and the attached tag to understand what cleaning process suits the specific fabric upholstery. Some of the tag codes are as follows.
W: This code means you are allowed to use all water-based cleaners.
S: If the code is “S” you must always dry-clean your upholstery and should only be spot-cleaned using solvent-based cleaners. (Commercial cleaners are best fit)
S/W: Here you can use water-based solutions for spot cleaning but dry clean for deeper stains.
Wash: Cushions and couch covers can directly go into the washing machine for a wash. Remember to read the instructions for delicate settings and air drying.
X: You need to care extra for these types, using more effective methods or calling pros.
4 Ways to Remove Holiday Party Stains from Upholstery
1. Dish Soap and Water
The basic yet most effective cleaning option is dish soap and water for “W” and “S” tags on upholstery. This solution is most suitable for common food and mud stains because of its high pH which can break them.
Steps:
- Mix a few drops of dish soap into a bowl of cool water. (Avoid colored dish soap that can stain delicate fabrics)
- Wet the microfiber cloth and blot the stain area without rubbing it.
- Use a dry towel to remove moisture and residue and let the area dry.
2. Baking Soda
If you find greasy food stains like french fries, sauce, or butter on your couch, you need simple baking soda to absorb them.
Steps:
- Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the stain.
- Let it sit for 20 minutes to absorb the stain.
- Vacuum the residue and repeat the process until the stain is completely gone.
- Once you remove residue, and if couch fabric allows water-based cleaners, go with the first option to remove the remaining stain.
3. Vinegar and Dish Soap
Spills like coffee, tea, juice, and red wine need extra care and a powerful cleaning solution. Vinegar and dish soap provide a strong combination for such stains if the upholstery allows water-based cleaners.
Steps:
- Mix three parts of warm water with one part of vinegar and a few drops of dish soap in a bowl.
- Dab the solution with a clean cloth or sponge without soaking the stain further.
- Once clean, rinse it with a fresh cloth dampened in water.
- Finish it with a dry cloth.
4. Ice and Cold Water
Stains like candle wax can be removed using ice cubes.
Steps:
- Place an ice pack covered in a towel over the stain to harden it. You can dab the ice water too.
- Scrape the hardened wax with a butter knife.
- And finally, dish soap, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol can treat the remaining stain.
When to Call Professional Upholstery Cleaning Service
Holiday party stains can come from various sources, including food spills, wine, coffee, and even candle wax, making your upholstery look horrible. Solutions like dish soap and water, vinegar, baking soda, and ice can remove holiday party stains from upholstery all thanks to their stain-removal properties.
However, when the stains are so stubborn or you find no DIY is working, calling a professional upholstery cleaning service can do the trick. With years of expertise and skilled professionals, we at Tuff Carpet Cleaning can work diligently to recover your stained upholstery to clean and rejuvenate it effortlessly. We use advanced equipment and safe solutions, that go beyond ordinary to make a visible difference.
Having us as your upholstery cleaning partner, you have nothing to worry about, call us now and see the difference!