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Does Water Cause a Stain On Upholstery?
You are probably wondering how on earth would water cause a stain on upholstery. But yes! Water has minerals like copper and magnesium that react with certain types of fabric thus causing a stain on upholstery and even carpets in case of a spill.
Therefore, you don’t only have to be cautious when on your sofa with tea, wine, or soup but also water. Fortunately, water stain is not as bad as wine stain and can be easily eliminated with products that you already have at home or can be bought at an affordable price.
It is also important to note that, water stains should be dealt with immediately it happens just like every other type of stain. If left to stay for a longer period, the water stain will set in and might be difficult to eliminate. You might even need a profession for that and it might cost more.
So, does your couch have water stains? Read on to find out effective ways to get rid of the stain while leaving your couch looking clean and new.
How to Get Water Stains Out of a Couch?
There 4 ways to get rid of water stains on a couch. Both ways are effective and you just have to identify one that works best for you. Plus, it is ok to use one after the other, if one is not as effective.
You can get rid of water stains on upholstery by using:
- White vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Oxiclean
- Rubbing alcohol
All these are common cleaning products that we have at home. You have probably used them as cleaning agents on different forms of stain but truth is, they can be used to get rid of water stains on upholstery as well.
To find out how you can use each of these products to get water stains out of your couch, let’s narrow down and explain how each process works.
Method 1: Use of Vinegar to Remove Water Stains from a Couch
What you will need:
- ½ cup vinegar
- Warm water
- A sponge
- A microfiber cloth
- Spray bottle
Instructions
- In a spray bottle, put ½ a cup of white vinegar and add 2 cups of warm water. Shake gently to mix and form a vinegar solution.
- Spray the solution on the part of your couch that is stained with water. Let it sit for about 8 minutes
- Using your sponge, scrub the area gently and in a circular motion until all the stain lifts.
- If the stain is still there, you can repeat this process for two more times until the satin lifts.
- If you are certain that all the stain is gone, use the microfiber cloth to blot dry the area by dabbing on it.
- You can let the couch air dry for about 8 hours or you can use a hair dryer to dry it. In any case make sure the couch is dry completely before subjecting it to use.
Method 2. Use of Lemon to Remove Water Stain From a Couch
Lemon has an acid called citric that makes it the best cleaning agent you could think of. It is best at eliminating all sorts of stains and water stain is not an exception. So, yes you can use lemon juice to get rid of water stains on your couch and other types of upholstery.
What you will need:
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 2 cups warm water
- Sponge
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloth
Instructions
- In a spray bottle, put ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice and add 2 cups of water. Shake it gently to mix and form a lemon solution.
- Spray a generous amount of the solution on the stained area and let it sit for about 8 minutes. This will enable the citric acid to break down the minerals in the water stain.
- After the 8 minutes, spray the sponge with some lemon solution then rub on the area gently and in a circular motion until the stain lifts.
- You will need to repeat spraying the solution on the stained area while rubbing it off with the sponge until all the stain lifts.
- After confirming that the water stain is no more, use your microfiber cloth to blot dry the area. And if in a hurry, you can use a hair dry to dry the area.
Depending on the type of your couch’s fabric, you can choose to use a sponge or a soft bristle brush to rub off the stain. However, a sponge is almost suitable for all types of fabrics.
Method 3: Use of Oxiclean to Remove Water Stain from a Couch
You can use a generous amount of Oxiclean mixed with warm water to clear out water stains on your couch. However, you will need to test it in an inconspicuous area like the back of the couch to see if there will be any reaction. If there won’t be any discoloration, you can go ahead and use it to eliminate water stains on your upholstery.
However, I have personally used it every time I want to get rid of stains on my couch upholstery including water stains.
What you will need
- ½ cup Oxiclean
- 1 cup warm water
- A sponge
Instructions
- In a spray bottle, put ½ cup Oxiclean and add 1 cup warm water to form a solution. Make sure you shake it gently for the solution to mix properly.
- Spray the solution on the water stain on your couch and let it sit for about 8 minutes for the solution to break down the minerals in the satin.
- Take a sponge and spray it with the Oxiclean solution until it is damp enough then rub it on the stain gently and in a circular motion.
- Repeat the process for 2 more times until all the stain lifts.
- Take a microfiber cloth and blot the area dry. Make sure the wet area dries completely before subjecting to use.
- You can also use a vacuum cleaner to vacuum up all the excess Oxiclean solution. Vacuuming would also make sure that no Oxiclean smell is left behind.
Method 4: Use Rubbing Alcohol to Remove Water Stain Out of a Couch
Rubbing alcohol is a recommended cleaning agent for both domestic and commercial purposes. You can use a generous amount of rubbing alcohol mixed with warm water to get rid of water stains on upholstery.
What you will need
- ½ cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 cup warm water
- Sponge
Instructions
- Mix ½ cup rubbing alcohol and 1 cup water in a spray bottle. Shake the mixture gently to form a solution.
- Spray the solution on the water stain on your couch upholstery then let it sit for about 8 minutes for the solution to break down the minerals causing water to stain the upholstery.
- Spray some of the solution on a sponge then rub it over the stain gently and in a circular motion until the stain lifts.
- The stain may not lift all at once and you might have to repeat the process 2 more times until all the stain lifts.
- If you are certain that your couch is free from the water stain, use a microfiber cloth to blot dry it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Vinegar Remove Water Stain from All Upholstery Types?
It is very unlikely for vinegar to cause discoloration on the upholstery that is why is highly recommended as a cleaning agent.
You can use vinegar to remove water stains from any type of upholstery. Just make sure to mix with warm water and let it sit on the stain for about 8 minutes before rubbing it off. Plus, depending on the extent of the water stain, you can let the vinegar solution stay for up to 2 hours before rubbing it off.
Conclusion
A clean sofa makes a living room lively and inviting to spend time in. In order to prevent your sofa from water stains and any other types of stains, it is important to avoid eating and drinking around your sofa. And although this might be hard to implement, it is important to be cautious than sorry.
Stains can ruin the aesthetic of your sofa if you don’t care and maintain it carefully enough. Make sure you vacuum it up regularly and be sure to add vinegar in your cleaning water when cleaning it as this will help prevent stains from setting in the upholstery further.
Lastly, the methods mentioned in this article on how to remove water stains from a couch are tested and proven to be working by me and people close to me, and so, I can highly recommend it to anyone. However, if the stain fails to completely lift off (this might be because you left the stain to overstay on your upholstery) you might need to contact professional couch cleaning services for help.
Read also: How to make your couch’s upholstery stain repellent
