HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
Subscribe
Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

The affordable way to a brand new sofa

The affordable way to a brand new sofa

How to remove stains from clothing

How to remove stains from clothing

Pop and Scott do a linen cover for the Dreamer couch

Pop and Scott do a linen cover for the Dreamer couch

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

{headline}

{headline}

8 small things that can take your home from blah to beautiful

8 small things that can take your home from blah to beautiful

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

Two-Fold Tango Whiskey cocktail recipe

Two-Fold Tango Whiskey cocktail recipe

{headline}

{headline}

7 best indoor plants for your bathroom

7 best indoor plants for your bathroom

Retreat to nature: Eden Health Retreat in Currumbin Valley, Queensland

Eden Health Retreat in Queensland

How to sell on Gumtree

How to sell on Gumtree

Take a peek inside our cosy June issue

Take a peek inside our cosy June issue

Eight great gift ideas for Mother's Day

Eight great gift ideas for Mother's Day

Four delicious wine + chocolate pairings

Four delicious wine + chocolate pairings

How to declutter a room in 10 minutes or less

How to declutter a room in 10 minutes or less

  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

How to remove food stains on any sofa

Gone for good  - by Jane Pine
  • 01 Mar 2018

You usually spend more money on your sofa than any other piece of furniture, so it pays to look after it.

However, it’s inevitable that you’ll end up with a food stain on it at some point.

The key to dealing with any stain, says cleaning expert Melissa Maker, is to know what you’re working with.

"Know what material your upholstery is made of, whether it's leather, cotton or linen, or microfibre," she explains. The care tag on your sofa will tell you what material it is – just look under a cushion.

Here’s how to clean food stains from any sofa.

First, scrape off any of the debris from the stain as soon as it happens with a butter knife. Then blot – not rub – the stain using a paper towel.

"Imagine you are brushing a soft tomato or peach, that's about how hard you want press," says Maker. Continue doing this until the liquid is removed.

Then you need to consider your sofa material.

Untreated leather

Cover the stain with baking soda and leave for 15 minutes before vacuuming it with the brush attachment.

Coated or finished leather

Blot and then wipe with a damp microfibre cloth. You might need to use a leather conditioner if the stain remains.

Cotton or linen

Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with 2/3 cup rubbing alcohol and sponge on to the stain then blot with a clean white cloth until the liquid is absorbed.

"Make sure you're getting the solvent onto the stain only to avoid creating water rings," says Maker. Repeat the process until the stain disappears.

Microfibre

Check the label for the letter in the list below.

W: You should use a water-based cleaning solution.

S: Dab the stain like cotton or linen (above), but use rubbing alcohol or vodka instead.

S/W: Either of the above methods will work

X: Vacuum only, don’t use liquid. Try to scrape up any excess stain and then gently use a toothbrush to lift remaining debris.

This article originally appeared on Better Homes and Gardens. 

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

Recommended to you

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

The affordable way to a brand new sofa

The affordable way to a brand new sofa

How to remove stains from clothing

How to remove stains from clothing

Pop and Scott do a linen cover for the Dreamer couch

Pop and Scott do a linen cover for the Dreamer couch

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

{headline}

{headline}

8 small things that can take your home from blah to beautiful

8 small things that can take your home from blah to beautiful

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

Two-Fold Tango Whiskey cocktail recipe

Two-Fold Tango Whiskey cocktail recipe

{headline}

{headline}

7 best indoor plants for your bathroom

7 best indoor plants for your bathroom

Retreat to nature: Eden Health Retreat in Currumbin Valley, Queensland

Eden Health Retreat in Queensland

How to sell on Gumtree

How to sell on Gumtree

Take a peek inside our cosy June issue

Take a peek inside our cosy June issue

Eight great gift ideas for Mother's Day

Eight great gift ideas for Mother's Day

Four delicious wine + chocolate pairings

Four delicious wine + chocolate pairings

How to declutter a room in 10 minutes or less

How to declutter a room in 10 minutes or less

HomeBeautiful
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
HomeBeautiful Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Instyle
  • marie claire
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

Shop This Offer
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug