Can You Remove Upholstery Stains That Have Already Dried?

Whether you have an old or new stain on your upholstery, stains can be quite a challenge to get out. There are various factors to consider before removing upholstery stains, some of which include the type of cleaning solutions you use and the type of fabric your upholstery is. 

Does this mean that you can remove upholstery stains that have already dried? The short answer is, yes! However, this may depend and may not be an easy feat to accomplish. As such, it is important to consider a few things before you attempt to remove upholstery stains,

If you would like to learn more about how to remove dried stains on your upholstery, feel free to continue reading our article below.

Learning The Cleaning Codes

Before figuring out how to clean upholstered furniture, it is important to determine its cleaning code. This is often visible on the cushion tag. The code is what determines the ideal cleaning solution. They are as follows:

• W: Water-based upholstery cleaner. Man made fabrics commonly include polyester, nylon, herculon, acetate, and olefin. 
• S: Solvent-based upholstery cleaner. This is for upholstery made of cotton, linen, rayon, wood, silk, denim, velour, or damask.
• S/W: Water- or solvent-based upholstery cleaner. The cleaner is based on the stain type: water for water-based and solvent for oil-based.
• X: Professional attention. This is a rare code often found on delicate furniture. Only brushing and vacuuming are recommended. 

Once you have been able to identify the cleaning codes, prep work is required. Before cleaning, brush down the furniture with a stiff brush or with a clean, dry white cloth. Avoid coloured cloths as the dye could transfer. 

If odours are present, sprinkle a bit of baking soda and let it sit for around 30-60 minutes. Then, vacuum the nooks and crannies and make sure to remove any hidden objects. 

Cleaning Upholstery By Hand

Depending on the type of cleaning required by your upholstery, there are different ways by which you can attempt to remove tough stains. 

For upholstery coded “W”, a homemade solution of dish detergent and one cup of warm water should do the trick. Dab the solution onto the stains. Make sure you do not oversaturate or over scrub. Use a rag dampened with water, and then blot dry.  

For upholstery coded “S,” make use of solvent-based dry cleaning solutions which often contain ingredients such as pine oil, d-limonene, and glycol ethers. Perform spot removal, blotting soiled areas with a white cloth moistened with the solution, then let dry. Brush or vacuum the upholstery afterwards to restore its original texture. For larger areas, it is recommended to hire a professional.

For upholstery encoded “S/W,” clean water-based stains with water and oil-based stains with solvent using the previously described methods above. 

If the stains are tough and still do not come out, try adding a little white vinegar to your homemade solution. You may also purchase a water-based upholstery cleaner from the store. Special stains such as coffee or wine may need more special solutions, however. If these methods do not work, try considering steam cleaning your upholstery. 

Calling A Professional

Dried stains can be incredibly tough to remove. Therefore, sometimes the most effective stain removal technique is simply to call a professional upholstery cleaner. This is most especially recommended for upholstery coded X or for very deep stains. 

Summary

When it comes to stain removal for upholstery, it is important to consider what type of fabric your upholstery is. The cleaning code is one way to determine how best to clean your upholstery. If you happen to employ the wrong cleaning techniques and solutions on your upholstery, this can lead to further damage that will need more attention in the future.

While there are some methods you can employ yourself, it is recommended to hire a professional if your upholstery’s fabric necessitates it or if the stain is simply too deep and difficult for you to remove. A professional service will be able to conduct stain removal, deep cleaning, odour removal, and even allergy control to help restore your upholstery back to brand new once again.

If you’re looking to have your upholstery or your carpets professionally cleaned by a trustworthy and reliable carpet and upholstery steam cleaning service in Melbourne, then look no further than Monster Clean.

Please call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for all your cleaning needs, on 0478 250 900 or leave an enquiry.