How to Clean Water Stains on Upholstery

Water stains can be just as unsightly as any other stain. It's a bitter kind of irony that water can leave a stain, but it does. If the windows in the car are left rolled down and the rain comes from out of nowhere like it sometimes does, it can leave a water stain that can altogether alter the appearance of whatever upholstery it touches. There are several different ways to remove water stains from different types of upholstery that will leave it looking good as new in no time at all.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clean cloth
• Hair dryer
• Iron
• Vinegar
• Paper towels
• Ammonia
• Borax

1. Dampen the stained area with a clean damp cloth. Place three or four paper towels directly on top of the damp area and use something heavy to hold them down. Point the hair dryer over the paper towels on the cool setting so that the moisture will transfer onto the paper towels.

2. Point an iron on the steam setting at the stained upholstery and give it a blast of steam. Allow the upholstery to air dry and repeat if necessary. Make sure that the iron doesn't spray out water as well or it will cause more water stains.

3. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and spray the area liberally with it. Allow the vinegar to sit on the stain for at least five minutes. If the stain is still there, spray more and wait another five minutes. Once the stain is lifted, wipe the area clean with paper towels.

4. Mix one cup of ammonia with a half-gallon of warm water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray the area liberally and allow it to air dry. Repeat if necessary.

5. Dampen the area, being careful not to completely soak it. Sprinkle some borax onto the dampened area and gently scrub with a soft clean cloth. Allow the area to dry completely before vacuuming up the borax with the brush attachment on the vacuum cleaner.

Tips & Warnings

• Test each method on an inconspicuous area of the upholstery before using it on a larger area.