Learn how to get a stain out of upholstery fabric seats, whether in your home, camper or car. We also share recipes for the best homemade stain removers for upholstery fabric.
One of the most common issues that any chair, couch or sofa owner faces, is having to deal with upholstery stains removal on the seats, armrests and back. If you’ve recently purchased a lovely new lounge suite, discovering a stain can cause way more stress and anxiety than may seem reasonable to onlookers.
If you’re in this situation, just breathe, and chill a moment. I’ve been there and it’s an awful feeling (actually I did it to an old housemate’s new couch, who didn’t like me to start with, so even worse)… but it’s not the end of the world.
Fortunately, most fresh stains can be removed at home, with some common household ingredients and tools. Here, I’ll explain the exact steps for how to get a stain out of upholstery fabric on your beloved chair, couch or car seat.
How to Get a Stain Out of Upholstery Fabric
What You Will Need
Before you get started, you will need to make sure that you have the following items:
- Gloves
- Old Toothbrush
- Spray Bottles
- Paper Towels
- Microfiber Cloth
- Homemade Upholstery Cleaner (see next section for recipes)
Optional tools:
- Steamer (Steam Cleaning Machine)
- Carpet Cleaner
How to Remove Stain from Upholstery – Instructions
Once you have all the materials you need to properly remove stain from upholstery, it’s time to start cleaning.
Step #1 – Pretreat the Fabric Upholstery
It’s always important to pretreat the upholstery before you begin cleaning it. The first step in the cleaning process is to remove any dirt, dust, or sand that is on the seats. You want to make sure that there is no dust, sand, or dirt that could otherwise contaminate the area.
Regardless of whether you use a shop vac or a handheld cordless vacuum, take the time to thoroughly vacuum the furniture from top to bottom. There should be no visible particles left anywhere on the floors, seats, armrests (including cup holders), or any cracks and folds.
Step #2 – Apply Stain Cleaner
The next step is to start applying the cleaner. You have two options to choose from when it comes to cleaners, you can either use a store-bought option or make a homemade cleaner. Store-bought cleaners are generally more effective because they are stronger. As a result, special care must be taken to ensure that you do not damage the car upholstery.
To clean the stained car upholstery, start by checking whether the cleaner will affect the fabric of your upholstery in any way, by applying a small amount to an area that cannot be easily seen. Try the cleaner on the inside of the seat cushion between the seat and the center console. If there are no adverse effects, then you can begin cleaning.
You will generally want to use a toothbrush to scrub the area gently in a circular motion. Spend about ten minutes gently massaging the stained area with the toothbrush, working the cleaner in, and brushing the residue away.
Step #4 – Air Dry the Upholstery Fabric
After you have thoroughly scrubbed the area with the old toothbrush, it’s time to let it dry out naturally. You do not want to use any form of heat source such as a blow-dryer as this can actually damage the car upholstery or even bake in the stain. Instead, either open up the doors or roll down the windows to allow the air to flow through the car. You may also use some paper towels or a microfiber towel to blot off any excess moisture which will help speed up the drying process.
Choosing a Safe Cleaner for Upholstery Stains Removal
There are a number of products that are available today to help treat and get rid of stains in fabric upholstery quickly. When choosing a fabric upholstery stain cleaner, there are three important things to take into consideration. The first and most important is whether it will affect the color of the upholstery on your furniture.
Colorfastness
Colorfastness refers to whether a specific cleaner can damage the dyes used to color your fabric seat upholstery. Certain chemicals can cause the dyes to run and bleed, and this can discolor the fabric. Be careful when choosing a commercial cleaner, as some of the cheaper stuff available may use harsher chemicals. Most homemade cleaners will not adversely affect the color of the upholstery.
Application
Application is also important when it comes to choosing a stain cleaner for fabric upholstery. Whatever cleaner you choose, you will want to make sure that it also includes a manual or instructions that are easy for you to follow. Commercial cleaners should use easy-to-press nozzles and ergonomically designed bottles that require minimal scrubbing. Most homemade cleaners will require a little more elbow grease to work effectively.
Brand
The brand is also very important when it comes to choosing a commercial-based product. Do not simply choose a product because it is the cheapest. Make sure that the brand offers some form of warranty, as this will give you some peace of mind when using it. Also, take the time to research online to see what other people say about the particular brand. When all else fails, you can always choose a homemade stain cleaner on your furniture upholstery instead.
Homemade Cleaners for Upholstery Stains Removal
When it comes to removing stains from fabric upholstery, you have two different types of cleaners to choose from. The most common is to use a homemade solution, that will provide you with just enough stain-fighting power, to get the job done. Commercial-grade car upholstery stain cleaners, on the other hand, tend to use harsher chemicals, which makes the job easier but may also damage some fabrics.
How to Get a Stain Out of Upholstery Fabric using Homemade Cleaner
There are several different homemade cleaners that are commonly used today, including vinegar, laundry detergent, baking soda, and even club soda. Here are some of the best:
Recipe 1: Vinegar, Water, Mild Soap
This particular homemade upholstery stain cleaning solution is composed of vinegar, water, and mild soap. You will need several containers, and a spray bottle to make this solution. A funnel will also be helpful when it comes time to transfer the solution to the spray bottle.
Recipe
To make this homemade stain remover:
- In a spray bottle, start by mixing vinegar and water in a ratio of 1 to 2 (1 vinegar : 2 water).
- Then add a single tablespoon of mild dish soap.
- Carefully mix all of this together.
- Let it sit until all the foam and bubbles pop.
Then using the funnel, transfer the mixture into the spray bottle, and shake it well to ensure that all of the ingredients are mixed.
How to Get a Stain Out of Upholstery (Method)
Wait until the bubbles subside, then spray the clean the solution directly onto the stain. Make sure that you do not add too much of the solution to the area, and give it about 3 minutes to soak.
With the help of your used toothbrush, gently scrub in a circular motion to ensure that you scrub every single fiber in the affected area. Continue to scrub for about ten minutes.
Once you have finished scrubbing, use your paper towels or a microfiber towel to blot the fabric and remove any excess moisture. Once the moisture has been removed, simply let it dry.
Recipe 2: Laundry Detergent & Water
Simplicity is the key when it comes to this homemade stain cleaning solution, suitable for all fabric upholstery around the home and car.
You will be using a pure mix of water and powdered laundry detergent, as follows:
- Gather water and laundry detergent in the quantities recommended on the detergent packaging.
- Then, add some extra detergent, to make it extra strong for your stain spray. I tend to double the quantity of laundry detergent, but depending on your brand of detergent and the sensitivity of your fabric, you may prefer a weaker solution.
- Heat the water until it is warm, and mix the two together thoroughly.
Just like you did with the vinegar, water, and mild soap solution, use the funnel to transfer it to the spray bottle. Follow the same exact steps for applying, scrubbing, and drying.
Recipe 3: Baking Soda & Water
Most people have baking soda laying around the house. It is excellent for removing deeper stains on your fabric upholstery caused by blood, soft drinks and coffee. It is also fabulous for deep cleaning ovens and stovetops, soap scum in sinks, and even stubborn toilet stains. You will mix it with warm water to make this solution.
Recipe
- Heat some water until it is hot to the touch (not boiling).
- Put 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda (aka bicarbonate of soda) in a small bowl.
- Slowly add the hot water to the baking soda, creating a paste-like mixture.
Because you want this stain removing mix to be thicker, you will not be using a spray bottle. Instead, you will be applying it directly using your old toothbrush.
How to Get a Stain Out of Upholstery (Method)
Once applied, follow the same instructions as the other homemade cleaners, by gently scrubbing in a circular motion for up to 10 minutes area. Then gently blot the area to remove excess moisture, and let it air dry.
Recipe 4: Club Soda
One of the oldest methods for removing stains from fabric is to simply use club soda. You see it all the time in movies, where somebody stains their shirt and they use some club soda to clean it.
It’s perfect for quickly removing lighter stains from fabric upholstery. Supposedly, it’s the combination of carbonation, bicarbonate of soda (remember that from the last method?) and sodium in club soda, that is responsible for the cleaning action.
All you need is one simple ingredient: club soda. Spray on the club soda just like you would with any other cleaner (or carefully pour it on), and gently scrub it using the toothbrush. After about 10 minutes, blot the area and let it air dry.
Other Options for How to Get a Stain Out of Upholstery Fabric
For those who do not want to scrub, or are worried about using harsh chemicals from store-bought upholstery cleaning sprays, here are two other excellent options for how to get a stain out of upholstery fabric seats:
Upholstery Steam Cleaner
A steam cleaner is the preferred method for cleaning upholstery, and is what the professionals use. As well as cleaning upholstery, they are a great all-purpose cleaning tools for the house and car, for hard surfaces as well. Find out more in our guide to the best steam cleaners for couches and chairs.
Steam cleaners rely on water only, and using one is very simple. After you have thoroughly vacuumed the furniture, you run the steam cleaner over it to clean out any dirt, grime, or residue. Not only is it great for removing stains, but it will remove any stubborn odors as well.
Carpet Cleaning Machine
Just like a steam cleaner, a carpet cleaner can also remove stains from fabric seats. Carpet cleaners can also be rented locally for affordable rates, and there are a wide range of cleaning chemicals available. Just as you would with a steam cleaner, you will be able to quickly and easily remove both stains and odors.
Final Thoughts on How to Get a Stain Out of Upholstery
If stubborn stains are plaguing your seat upholstery, then the best method ultimately for getting rid of those stains is using a specialty upholstery cleaning machine.
While they are the perfect solution for how to get a stain out of upholstery fabric, these devices can be pricey, especially considering that you may only use them a couple of times. If this is the option you want to go for, then it may be worth checking to see if there is anywhere that rents upholstery cleaning devices in your local area, instead.
Alternatively, it is possible to use a carpet cleaning machine, or a store-bought stain remover solution combined with some good old elbow grease. When choosing the best stain remover for upholstery off the shelf, the main thing to look for is color-fastness. The main problem with many commercial stain removers is their potential for staining your fabric upholstery, and it is well worth testing the stain removal product on a small patch to ensure it doesn’t adversely effect your fabric. You’d be surprised how even some natural and innocuous-seeming liquids can cause the color on certain upholstery to change, so if in doubt, test your homemade cleaners too.
