No one likes stains, especially on their clothes or furniture. But accidents happen, and sometimes a stain is inevitable. If you’re lucky, the stain will be small and barely noticeable. But if you’re not so lucky, the stain could be big and very visible. Either way, you’re going to want to get rid of that stain as quickly as possible. Here are three tips to help you do just that.
Tip #1: Blot, don’t rub
When you spill something on your clothes or a chair cushion, the first instinct is to rub at the stain in an attempt to remove it. But rubbing will only spread the stain and make it harder to remove later. Instead, blot gently at the stain with a clean, absorbent cloth. This will help soak up some of the liquid without damaging the fabric.
Tip #2: Use cold water
Hot water can actually set some stains, making them impossible to remove. So if you’re dealing with a fresh stain, be sure to use cold water when trying to remove it. Cold water will help lift the stain from the fabric instead of setting it in place.
Tip #3: Pretreat with soap or detergent
If you’ve ever done any laundry before, then you know that pretreating stains with soap or detergent can be very effective in removing them. The same principle applies to fabric and upholstery stains. Simply apply a small amount of soap or detergent to the stained area and let it sit for a few minutes before blotting it dry with a cloth. This will help break down the stain so that it’s much easier to remove later on.
Stains are never fun to deal with, but luckily there are some simple things you can do to remove them quickly and easily. If the spill is really bad and has soaked into the underlying cushion itself, then the good news is that retailers like The Foam Factory have great prices on replacement cushions and foam.