How to Get a Stain Off of a Couch

There are many ways to clean your couch.

A sofa is usually the central piece of furniture in your family room, but it's also a target for spills and accidents from every member of the family. The best method to clean your sofa will depend on the type of material and the stain involved.

Things You'll Need

• Dry cleaning solvent
• Clean cloth
• Mild detergent
• Ammonia
• White vinegar

Instructions

1. Check the label on your couch for general cleaning instructions. It will specify any restrictions or cleansers to avoid. However, some basic stain removal methods will work for a wide variety of fabrics.

2. Apply a dry cleaning solvent, which you can buy at most grocery stores, for stains like melted butter and other greasy spills. Mix the solvent with 1 tbsp. of mild detergent and a cup of warm water. Blot this solution onto the stain with a clean cloth, and then rinse it with warm water. The same solution will work to remove marker stains.

3. Clean liquid cheese off of your sofa with 1 tsp. of mild detergent and a cup of warm water. Blot the stain with this solution, and then mix 1 tbsp. of ammonia and 1/2 a cup of water. Blot the stain with this mixture, and then rinse it with clean water. Let it dry on its own.

4. Clean coffee stains with a mixture of 1 tsp. of mild detergent and a cup of warm water. Blot the stain from the outside of the stain inward, and then mix 1/3 cup of white vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Blot that solution onto the stain, as well. After you remove the stain, use a clean cloth to remove the rest of the solution, and then let it dry.

References

• Mrs. Clean: Upholstery Cleaning and Upholstery Tips
• Arizona State University: Cleaning Inside the Home