The staff at Couch.com are parents too... when it comes to couch cleaning, we've seen it all. From stains to barf to the lipstick that was on top of your nightstand, we've had to clean some serious stuff out of some serious sectional sofas. We polled our team internally on a quest to find out what the number one hardest thing to remove from a couch is. Spoiler alert: it isn't red wine.
The Top 10 Worst Substances to Get Out of Your Couch
- Red Wine: Another glass, another drunk dial to the local clean service... Here's how to fight red wine stains. The link provides handy tips, including using salt and boiling water.
- Chocolate: Pleasure for the taste buds, but a pain to clean. Discover how to tackle chocolate stains. This guide suggests using laundry detergent or dish soap.
- Coffee: It energizes us but tires our upholstery. Banish coffee stains with this guide. Vinegar, baking soda, and commercial cleaners are recommended.
- Ink: A writer's ally, a sofa's foe. Learn the art of ink stain removal here. Alcohol or hairspray can be helpful, it says.
- Curry: Culinary ecstasy, textile terror. Here’s your manual for cleaning curry stains. The link suggests using a stain remover and cold water.
- Tomato Sauce: Maybe you should have thought twice about eating that pasta bolognese with your feet up on your reclining couch. Here's your tutorial on eradicating tomato sauce stains. It recommends detergent and cold water.
- Oil: A covert interloper your fabric didn’t anticipate. Here's how to combat oil stains. The guide suggests using baking soda or a commercial cleaner.
- Blood: Even a tiny wound can leave a big stain. Here’s your guide to eliminate blood stains. Cold water and soap are your friends, according to this link. We actually have had a lot of success using hydrogen peroxide!
- Pet Urine: Sometimes, our furry friends leave surprises. This is your primer on tackling pet urine. The guide highlights the use of vinegar and baking soda.
- Gum: The adhesive intruder, bonding with your cushions. Learn gum removal basics here. Ice cubes and a butter knife can help, the link says.
So what's the number one hardest thing to clean from a couch?
Couch.com's Staff Pick: Oil- in the case of a some hot dripping pizza grease or some massage oil leakage, time is not your friend. If oil stains aren't addressed right away, they can be permanent. The most important thing is to hop to it right away and don't wait until after the episode is over...
What's the best cleaning solvent to use overall?
Couch.com's Hot Tip: Rubbing Alcohol- working in furniture stores and on photoshoots, our team has seen it all and we've become experts at how to clean couch cushions. The unsung hero of the stain fighting team? Rubbing Alcohol- it's pure, potent and NOT water based so it dries quickly.
How to use it: apply it somewhat liberally to an area and let it soak in for about 30 seconds. Then, in a circular motion using a microfiber cloth or towel, rub vigorously and say a little prayer to the Couch gods.
Be sure to check out our guide to check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Clean Your Couch as well as our recent post, The Real Truth About How to Keep Your Couch Clean!
