Removing Water Stains from a Sofa

If you have ever spilled liquid on your sofa, you probably know about the horror of trying to remove water stains from your furniture. As you try to wipe up the spill, it seems to grow as you attempt to clean it. In many cases simply wiping it with water can make it worse, but how else can you successfully clean the stain?

Luckily, there are different ways to remove water stains from your sofa. If you find a spill on your sofa, don't worry—there are things you can try to remove it.

The way to remove water stains is generally dependant on the fabric that your sofa is made of. Depending on whether your sofa is cotton, micro fiber, leather, or something else, you will want to take that into consideration when attempting to remove the stain.

If you spill on your couch, try one of these methods for cleaning up the stain:

• If you have a micro fiber sofa, one suggestion is to use baby wipes to clean up the mess. These do not have a high amount of moisture, and shouldn't make the problem worse. Use them to get as much of the stain out as you can.
• For a suede sofa, use denatured alcohol and gently rub the stain with a saturated cloth. Remember to test this method on a hidden area of the couch so you will know if it has an adverse effect.
• On a sofa made of velvet, dampen the area just a little and use a hair dryer set to low on the fabric. This should prevent any water stain rings from forming.
• Blot any spills from a leather couch as soon as they occur. Hopefully a spill will not be absorbed into the leather. If it is, you may want to contact a leather cleaning professional to ensure you don't damage your sofa by trying to clean it yourself.
• You can also try to use vinegar mixed with water to clean water spots from the couch. It is important to be sure you don't let any wet spots remain on your couch too long.

Keep in mind that different fabrics have particular cleaning instructions. Look at the cleaning instructions for your sofa to learn more. For instance, if you see W, you can use a water-based cleaner to clean, while an X mean you can only vacuum the fabric to clean it. If the stain will not come out, contact an upholstery cleaner. A specialist might be able to save your furniture if nothing else helps.