Renew Your Furniture and Carpet with these Stain Removal Tips

It seems like nothing is safe from stains! When you have a busy life with work, kids, pets, hobbies, and more, it is just a matter of time before a stain gets on the carpet, your furniture, or your clothes. People commonly eat in the living room and may spill food or drink on the furniture, or we find pet stains on our comforter, our recliner, or the rug. Mud stains can get on our clothes and shoes, but can also get on the seat cushions when people let their shoes touch the furniture.

People commonly eat in the living room and may spill food or drink on the furniture, or we find pet stains on our comforter, our recliner, or the rug. Mud stains can get on our clothes and shoes, but can also get on the seat cushions when people let their shoes touch the furniture.

Read the tips below to see how you can remove some of the most common ones.

Your first step: Before you start cleaning, read the tags on the material. Your clothing comes with tags that indicate how it can be cleaned, and your furniture also has tags underneath the cushions. Be sure to read those to see what type of cleaners you can use, so you don’t remove the color with the stain.

Unknown fabric cleaning instructions: If you aren’t sure what the material is, look it up online or call the manufacturer that you bought it from. Clean a small portion of the corner or the back before you saturate the stain, to make sure it will dry clean. Always do a cleaning carpet sample test, first.

General stain treatment for fabric furniture:

Let the dirt dry first and try to lift off/blot the excess before you clean.
Vacuum up what you can before you start cleaning. There may be dried mud that you can vacuum up, or crumbs that you don’t see. Get rid of that so it doesn’t get stuck in the fibers when you clean it.
Mix a solution of two cups of water and one tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid.
Use a clean sponge with the soap mixture and blot it up. Repeat if needed

Stain treatment for oil spots

Grease stains can travel to your furniture quite easily. Sometimes people don’t realize they have cooking oil or grease on their hands, or on the bottom of a plate, and then sit down with it in the living area.

If you find a stain on the furniture, try to clean it up quickly, so that it doesn’t get into the furniture fibers.

Sprinkle on with baking soda and let it sit for 20 minutes. This helps lift up the grease.
Vacuum the area using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum, or the direct hose end.
Use a small amount of *clear dish soap and a wet sponge on the stain.
Blot it until clean and dry with a paper towel. Repeat if needed.

Removing Ink Stains

An ink stain can ruin your fabric sofa or blanket, but you may be able to save it with this tip! You will need rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.

Mix a solution of one tablespoon of white vinegar and ⅔ cup of rubbing alcohol.
Dip a clean towel or cloth into the solution and blot the stain onto the ink.
Continue to blot it from end to end, on the ink until it disappears. (Do NOT rub the stain, or it may spread)

Removing Mud & Dirt Stains

To keep dirt and mud at the door, it is a good idea to keep a shoe tray or basket by the door and keep a large mat there to encourage people to take their shoes off. If mud does escape and gets on your carpet or furniture, use these tips:

Let the dirt dry. Scrape off the excess and vacuum any loose pieces before getting it wet.
Mix a solution of 1 cup of water and ½ tbs. of clear dishwashing liquid.
Using a sponge, apply the solution to the stain.
Blot it up. (Don’t scrub mud into the fibers)

Removing Red Wine Stains

Red wine can oftentimes be cleaned, so don’t panic. Even if it does not come out 100%, it will be almost gone if you do these cleaning steps.

Blot the area with a clean, dry towel or cloth to pick up the remaining liquid. Do not scrub.
Pour a small amount of carbonated water directly on the stain. Blot dry. Repeat as needed. (Some of the stain may bubble up, and you can blot it with a paper towel)
Mix ¼ cup of baking soda and ⅛ cup of water to form a thin paste. Apply a thin layer of paste to the stain and let it sit for several hours until completely dry. Vacuum it up.

Beer & Coffee Stains

These drinks are a common stain we have to deal with. Use these directions on how to remove a beer stain or coffee stain from your furniture.

For beer stains, rub the stain with an ice cube. (Skip this step with coffee stains)
Mix 1 tsp. of liquid dish detergent and warm water.
With a paper towel, use this solution to blot at the stain. Do not scrub, just blot.

Pet Stains

We love our pets, but they are messy! If they urinate on your carpet or furniture or leave other fluid or residue behind, follow these cleaning steps:

Mix a solution of one cup of white vinegar and one cup of cool water.
Spray the solution onto the stain, misting it but not soaking it.
Use a clean towel or cloth to blot the stain. Work from the outside edges of the stain to the center to contain it, and not spread the odor or stain further.