Spills and accidents on furniture are inevitable in most homes, especially those with children or pets. Fortunately, permanent upholstery stains are much easier to prevent if you’re aware of the proper cleaning technique. Here's a closer look at three standard stain types and how to treat them.

A Guide to Common Upholstery Stains

1. Grease

From burgers to soup, oil is a standard component of just about every style and type of food. Unfortunately, fat creates one of the most stubborn fabric stains to remove. The spots also darken the longer they set and become more unappealing to look at. 

The key to tackling a grease stain is not going too hot or too cold, as extreme temperatures can cause the discoloration to set in permanently. Sprinkle the area with baking soda and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before vacuuming. Next, dampen a cloth with clear vodka and blot the spot to draw out the oil. Repeat the two-step process until the surface is stain-free. 

2. Red Wine

Enjoying a glass of red wine on the couch is a typical evening ritual for many adults, even in homes that enforce a table-only rule for meals. Yet, the presence of tannin in dark berries results in hard-to-treat discoloration on upholstery if wine is spilled. To avoid a set-in stain, it's vital to clean up spilled wine as soon as possible by blotting the surface. On light-colored fabric, dab the spot with hydrogen peroxide. For dark materials, on the other hand, opt for white wine instead, to prevent bleaching. 

3. Blood

Just about every sort of exercise and daily activity can result in scrapes or injuries, making blood a common cause of furniture stains. In most cases, it is transferred from clothing. Yet, it can also occur by directly coming into contact with injuries, especially with pets. To remove it, treat the stain with carbonated water and blot until the spot is removed. 
 

Are you dealing with stubborn, stuck-on upholstery stains? If there are stains that you can't seem to get out, give your furniture a makeover with the help of Lines Circles & Angles Custom Upholstery & Repair in Cincinnati, OH. Since 1975, this furniture store has spruced up the favorite furnishings of residents across Hamilton County with re-upholstery and repair services. Learn more about their specialties online and request a free in-home estimate today by calling (513) 984-1074.