Help! A Stain on Soft Furniture, How Do I Approach It?

Especially in homes where children and pets spend time, soft furniture getting dirty becomes an everyday issue.

Is buying a new sofa the only solution when the kids grow up, or are there ways to prevent permanent damage from stubborn stains on soft furniture?

Which Fabric to Choose?

If you want your sofa fabric to last as long as possible, you should choose a fabric with a higher wear resistance. This strength and durability is measured using the Martindale unit, which assesses the fabric’s resistance to friction. The fabric is tested by rubbing it in a machine until the fibers break. For home use, a Martindale rating of at least 25,000 is recommended. Additionally, if you have pets or small children at home, it’s advisable not to choose light-colored upholstery, as even the smallest dirt is visible on it.

Be particularly cautious with chemicals sold in retail stores, even if they claim to be suitable for the surface being cleaned. Household cleaning agents are often not suitable for various surfaces. Dishwashing detergent is meant for dishes, and window cleaners are intended for windows. Universal cleaners are often ineffective or damaging.

Wrong cleaners may leave stains after the fabric dries. These stains trap even more dirt and dust, causing the furniture to get dirty even faster in the future.

For stain removal, you should use special cleaning solutions or mild soapy water, but avoid bleach, as its stains are irreversible. Do not soak the stained area or rub it too intensely. Abrasive sponges can also damage the fabric.

What Do Professionals Do Differently?

The benefits of professional cleaning are predictable—experience, training, and the right tools. A special textile cleaning machine allows dirt to be removed from deeper within the fibers. After cleaning, it’s important to get as much dirt and cleaning agent out of the furniture as possible. This can only be done with a machine that has a textile rinsing function.

Another advantage of professional equipment is its ability to remove dust mites from soft furniture, carpets, and mattresses. Dust mites feed on dead skin cells, and to avoid allergies caused by their waste, it’s best to eliminate them completely using specialized equipment.

When treating stains, it’s important to follow these techniques:

• Gently blot the stain with a cloth, twisting it lightly.
• For larger stains, always work from the clean area toward the dirty area to avoid spreading the dirt.
• Finally, always dry the cleaned area with a dry, clean fiber cloth or lint-free paper.

How Often Should Furniture Be Cleaned?

Careful and regular cleaning will definitely prolong the life of your sofa fabric. The frequency of cleaning depends mainly on how much the furniture is used.

It’s important to remove stains as quickly as possible. Even if you plan to have the stain professionally removed later, acting immediately will help. Reducing the impact of the stain with a slightly damp and dry cloth can prevent the stain from soaking into the fabric. If a professional completes the stain removal, the remaining upholstery can also be maintained.

During cleaning, both dirt and the cleaning solution are rinsed out of the fabric, meaning the furniture will stay damp after cleaning. It should be left to dry for 12-24 hours, depending on room ventilation, before use.

During this drying period, the furniture shouldn’t be used and should only be admired from a distance as a much cleaner sofa.

This guide provides detailed advice on fabric care and stain removal, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right cleaning methods and tools to extend the life of your furniture.