How to Get a Stain Out Of A White Sofa

Dream white sofas are homey and comfortable when mixed with a combination of warm, dark woods and soft plush fabrics. Focusing on warm lush textures will give off cosy vibes with your white couch at the centre of it all!
In reality, a white sofa is a perfect background for stains and keeping your white sofa white is an art in itself. You can avoid discolouration by rotating the cushions regularly, and closing the curtains or pulling down the blinds to keep off any direct sunlight.
If you have children or pets you can use protective covers and encourage no eating or drinking on your white furniture if at all possible. But accidents do happen. Want to know how to get a stain out of a white sofa? Read on…

The best way to clean a white sofa

A stain on a white couch is immediately visible so you can act quickly! Remember that the longer a stain sits on the fabric the harder it is to remove.
Now depending on the type of upholstery, this determines what method of cleaning you use. The tag on your sofa will indicate if water and detergent can be used with the letter “W”. The letter “S” will indicate that a dry-cleaning solvent must be used, and “WS” means that the fabric is suitable for water-based or dry-cleaning solutions. The letter “X” means you should only have your sofa cleaned professionally.

1- Water-based cleaning process

Use a damp paper towel to blot up any excess liquid. Don’t rub as this only causes the stain to penetrate deeper into the fibres. Keep blotting until the stain won’t lift anymore.
Then mix a solution of two tablespoons of washing up liquid with cool water and wet a white cloth. Wring out any excess water and carefully dab the stain using different areas of the cloth as the stain lifts.
You should read the manufacturer’s instructions to see if bleach is a suitable cleaning option. If the stain is still visible mix 10 parts of water with a part of bleach in a bucket. Using a white paper towel lightly dab the remaining stain to lighten the fabric.
Rinse by using a damp white paper towel and then blot with a dry paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Bear in mind that overwetting can lead to future problems with mould, mildew, and unpleasant odours.

2- Dry cleaning solvent method

Pour two to three tablespoons of a dry-cleaning solvent onto a clean white cloth and then carefully blot the stain. Start at the edge and work towards the centre. Repeat the process until the stain has lifted entirely and leave for 24 hours before checking to see if the stain has completely gone. Repeat as necessary.

3- Alternative white sofa cleaning techniques

Store cupboard basics such as baking soda are perfect for lifting many dark stains from white fabrics. Applying a small amount directly to the stain and leaving it to oxidise will allow you to then blot the spot dry until the stain has gone.
You can also try mixing a paste of baking soda and cool water. Gently rub over the stain and leave to sit for around 20 minutes before vacuuming up any residue.

Professional upholstery cleaning

If your white sofa has an “X” on the cleaning tag or you’re at all concerned about tackling the cleaning process yourself, simply call in the experts. Specialty services provided by trusted cleaning companies include stain removal solutions. Depending on your upholstery fabric the best cleaning option will be chosen.
Your trained and experienced upholstery cleaning technician will inspect and analyse any stains on your white sofa before starting the cleaning process. Many stains including wine, coffee, blood, grease and oil-based stains can be removed. The stains will be pre-treated with the appropriate stain removal product, and then your sofa will be deep cleaned with a hot water extraction technique that kills bacteria, pollutants, and mites that may be hidden deep inside the upholstery fabric.
For delicate upholstery fabrics that are prone to shrinkage, a dry cleaning method will be carried out. You can rest assured that the fibres, structure, and composition of your sofa will all be taken into account to ensure that the results of the stain removal and cleaning service are pristine.