How to Remove Perfume Stains from Carpets and Sofas

Perfumes and colognes are made from a wide variety of ingredients. These can be natural (such as plants, fruits, woods and animal secretions) or they can be man-made (such as alcohol, coal, tars and petrochemicals). Because of these ingredients, spilling some perfume or cologne on your carpet or sofa can therefore leave lasting marks that not only leave odours behind but also unsightly stains. There is good news if you find yourself in this situation. There are certain steps you can take to remove these stains and odours. Let’s explore these in more detail below. 

 

How to get rid of perfume stains from carpets and sofas

 

Fabrics that absorb perfume or cologne spills will not only carry the odour for a long period of time if untreated but it will also leave a stain on your fabric carpets or sofas if left untreated. There are a few things you can do to avoid this situation. Take a look. 

 

• Read the care label carefully and follow the manufacturer’s instructions

 

Before getting started, it’s always advisable to read the care label of your sofa or your carpet carefully. This way, you’ll be able to see what the manufacturer says about the recommended methods for cleaning your furniture or carpet. As a result, you will limit damaging the fabric, leaving you with unsightly stains. Therefore, as a starting point, always check the instructions first.

 

• Treat the stains as quickly after they occur as possible

 

Another important piece of advice before you get started is to treat the stains as quickly as possible after the spill occurs. This will ensure that they don’t get deeply absorbed into the fabric of your carpet or sofa, leaving you with stains that are harder to eliminate later on.

 

• Pre-test the solution on a small area first

 

Whether a carpet, a sofa or any other piece of fabric upholstery, you should always test out the cleaning solutions discussed below on a small area of one to two square centimetres. The reason for this is to help you gauge the way in which the solution will react with the fabric in question and you will avoid risking damaging the entire carpet or sofa if you apply the solution to the entire stain.

 

• Carpet

 

Perfume stains on a carpet can be dealt with in a couple of ways. Whether it’s a blended, natural, synthetic fibre or wool, you will first need to blot the spill using an absorbent cloth, sponge or paper towels. Next up, be sure to use a wet sponge on the spill area with cool water. When this is done, you need to use a commercial fabric spot cleaner which you should spray onto the stain. 

 

If the stain persists, you can mix another solution that consists of one part glycerin, one part white dishwashing detergent and eight parts water. This solution should be applied to the spot sparingly using a cloth which you will use to rub gently over the stain and then absorb it from the affected area. Repeat this process until the stain is removed. When done, ensure that you sponge or rinse the area with clean, cool water to extract any of the chemicals and to get rid of any of the solution that may have been left in the fabric. Blot thoroughly and allow the area to dry. 

 

• Upholstered furniture

 

In order to get rid of perfume stains on upholstery, you will need a dry cleaning solvent. This solution is ideal for furniture that is made up of blended fibres, fibreglass, natural or synthetic fibres or wool. 

 

The first step is to blot the excess spill with a dry cloth, a sponge or paper towels. Next, you need to sponge the stain with the dry cleaning solvent. You should use a cloth to blot until the solvent is absorbed. Repeat this process several times until the stain disappears. This should leave your upholstery stain-free.

 

• Ensure good ventilation

 

The final step is to ensure that the carpet or sofa is well-ventilated in order to dry naturally and quickly enough. Be sure to avoid placing upholstery in direct sunlight as this is likely to cause fading and damage the quality of the fabric. If the carpet is removable, you can also place it outdoors to dry but again, it’s recommended that you do not place it in direct sunlight. In addition, consider using a fan to help speed up the drying process.

 

Contact the carpet cleaning specialists today

 

Perfume or cologne spills on a carpet can leave very heavy odours in your home, not to mention spills that cause stains that can be difficult to remove the longer you wait. Therefore, it’s advisable to act as quickly as possible once the spill occurs so that you can preserve the quality and longevity of your fabrics. For more deeply ingrained stains or if you feel unsure about how to go about getting rid of perfume stains on carpets or sofas, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Perfect Carpet Cleaning. Our extensive experience in dealing with all sorts of stain removal on carpets and upholstery will ensure you get the best results, leaving your home clean and smelling fresh once again.