Do not be alarmed when your couch is stained with light brown patches, possibly caused by a recent water spillage. Unless the water is colored, dirty, or mixed with another element, pure, clean water can’t cause stains on fabric. Nonetheless, the minerals found in the water like manganese and iron can potentially precipitate on a thin fabric and cause rust colored stains when it oxidizes with oxygen in the air. There are simple means with which one can remove water stains and get their couch back to the way it was before. The most important thing to remember is that stains are best cleaned immediately to stand the best chance of successful stain removal. Here are some of the tips that could be helpful in removing these water stains.
Use water
In case the stain is not cleaned at once there is still always a chance to remove the stain. The best method to try first is using water. If your couch can be cleaned with water, find clean water then and mix it with a little soap. Using a wrung out of a sponge, blot the stain with the mixture. You should, however, be careful not to roughly rub the stain because that can weaken and pill your fabric. After that, continue rinsing the sponge and use clean water to blot out the soap mixture from the couch. Use paper towels or a cloth to dry, or better leave the sofa to dry on its own.
Vinegar and Vodka
If water doesn’t work, try using vinegar or vodka. The process will be the same as when using water where you will pour some vinegar or vodka on a cloth, then gently rub it on the stain to blot the stain. Blot gently from the edge of the stain towards the center to prevent the stain from spreading. The cautionary thing to remember when using this method is to first try your approach on a hidden part of the couch to test whether the sofa will lose color. After the stain is cleaned, leave the sofa to dry and do not be alarmed by the smell of vinegar and vodka because it disappears when the area is dry
Baking soda
When the above fails, you can always try a more aggressive method. The use of baking soda is an effective way of removing all kinds of stains. Wipe down the couch with dry, clean cloth to get any dust or dried gunk off the sofa. Sprinkle the baking soda on the couch and let it sit for at least twenty minutes. If you want to deep clean, you can mix in a dry carpet cleaner. Next, you should vacuum up the baking soda and if any stains remain, use a clean cloth to remove it and any cleaning solution that is suitable for your couch fabric.
The Takeaway
The most important thing to always remember is that all couches are not the same. One method of removing stain may work on a silk couch, but fail to work on a leather couch, so it is always good to try out the method of stain removal of hidden sections first. Also, if you try removing the stain with no success, seek a professional’s help.