Professional furniture cleaning and stain removal is always the best option
Professionals have the expertise and the specialised chemicals to identify the stain correctly and to deal with it without damage to the fabric. But if you want to tackle a stain yourself here are some general rules that are meant as guidelines to get a good result
Test The Cleaning Solution or Product Before You Start
Successful stain removal starts with correct identification of the stain itself and the type of fabric.
Find a non visible part of material ( such as an inside seam or the hem area on the inside of a cushion) and use a small amount of the cleaning fluid or agent or water on the area, agitate gently and then use a white towel to blot the area.
Examine the cloth – if there is dye on the cloth then you can’t use the cleaning product. The fabric is not colour fast and if you try to remove the stain you may make the situation much worse.
Even if you remove the stain you might lighten that area of the fabric, and this might beequally noticeable if not worse.
However if you are happy that the fabric is colour fast and this is true of most modern fabrics, you can go ahead and use the cleaning product.
Insert a Towel or Cloth Below The Stain
If it is possible to put a towel or cloth beneath the area of the stain under the fabric, do this before you start the cleaning .
When you dissolve the stain you can absorb it into the towel below as well as above and this aids the removal.
Use Any Cleaning Product Sparingly
Do not saturate the fabric even with water – your goal is to use a little and repeat. Very few stains come out straight away .
A small spray bottle is your best tool – mix whatever stain removal agent you are going to use( and we suggest starting with water) and spray the area lightly.
Washing Your Cushion Covers
Washing throw pillows and upholstery cushions from your furniture, is not recommended unless the manufacturer says so.
The fabric can be removed for spot cleaning but many textile backings can be permanently damaged and the fabric may wrinkle and shrink with laundering.
If the fabric colour lightens during laundering there is no way to rectify this.
Zips on throws and cushions are usually provided for upholsterers to insert the cushion materials, not to allow laundering.
Don’t Scrub or Rub Stained Areas
Never ever rub the stain. Successful stain removal takes patience. It is better to go slowly and carefully or you may damage the fabric even if you remove the stain itself.
Remove Stains Quickly
Mop up as much of the stain as quickly as possible and try to remove it when it is fresh A dried stain is much more difficult to remove and makes damage to the fabric much more likely.
Not Every Stain Can Be Removed Perfectly
Stain removal for upholstery has limits If a drink has been spilled and has soaked through the padding you will at best only be able to remove the stain on the surface – the visible stain on the fabric.
It will not be possible to remove spilled liquid that has seeped into the padding below the fabric.
This goes for most stains – you are only removing the visible portion of the stain and in the process attempting to cause as little damage to the fabric.
Odours
If liquid with odour such as vomit, urine or beer has been spilt on your furniture, then you have two problems.
First to remove the stain and then to remove the odour.
In this case is even more important to remove the liquid as quickly as possible
When the liquid has soaked into the padding it must be removed by a professional because the smell may get worse as time goes by.