Whether it’s mud on the sofa, grass on the carpet, chocolate on the rug or ink on the walls, here is everything you need to help you get everything back to looking spick and span – without breaking the bank.
As Easter half term gets into full swing, youngsters bring an abundance of energy and creativity into the household, along with their penchant for making a delightful mess!
And if your little ones are leaving tell-tale traces of their adventures behind, then you’re in luck – as one expert has some cost-effective super cleaning tips that’ll get your furniture back to looking its best in no time. Whether it’s mud on the sofa, grass on the carpet, chocolate on the rug or ink on the walls, here is everything you need to help you get everything back to looking spick and span – without breaking the bank.
Below, Fabb Furniture’s home interior expert Laura Chiddey reveals the most common household stains expected to appear on furniture this Easter half term and shares the best at-home remedies.
1. Mud & dirt stains
Laura says: “By half term, youngsters will be itching to head outdoors, and while letting their creativity run wild is great to see, with fun adventures come messy clean-ups. Mud is a culprit for this, as it easily transfers onto clothing, hands, knees, elbows, and all the rest. If there is no time to grab onto your child before they dive onto the sofa, this stain can transfer onto furniture.
“Before jumping to salvage your furniture, it’s essential that you let the mud fully dry. This will allow you to have better control over the stain, and once you’ve done this part, scrape the excess dirt and vacuum any loose debris. Next, create a cleaning solution by mixing one tablespoon of clear dish soap and two cups of water. Once you have your solution, use a sponge to gently pat the affected area until dry, repeating this process until you’re happy with the results.”
2. Grass stains
Laura explains that grass is another souvenir of a fun day in the garden. “Like most stains, the sooner you address grass stains the better, as dried grass stains can be stubborn to remove,” she says. “To remove grass stains from upholstery, vacuum the furniture to get rid of any loose pieces of grass and dirt. Next, mix two teaspoons of dish soap with two cups of water to create your cleaning solution. Use a soft-bristled brush, such as a clean toothbrush or nail brush, and deposit the tip into the solution, before addressing the stain with gentle scrubs.
“When using this technique, be careful not to spread the stain to other areas of the furniture, so starting from the outer edges of the stain and working your way inward is the best practice here. Once you have worked the solution into the stain, leave to sit for a good 10-15 minutes, allowing the solution to lift stubborn stains from the upholstery’s fibres. Then, pat dry the affected area using a clean, dry cloth or towel, ensuring you remove any soap residue. Finish off with another vacuum to achieve a clean, dry, and stain-free canvas.”
3. Chocolate stains
Easter half term means chocolate, and just a tiny piece of crumb is all it takes to spread like wildfire on furniture, says Laura. “Chocolate is likely to be around the house this week, and while crumbs are inevitable, there are ways to combat this stubborn stain, but we have to be quick.
“Firstly, to avoid any further damage, carefully lift up any thick, solid chocolate with a utensil such as a dull knife or spoon. Avoid rubbing at all costs as this can deepen the stain into the upholstery fibres. Next, we need a cleaning solution. Mix one teaspoon of dish soap with one cup of water, and dip a microfibre cloth into the solution. Make sure to wring out any excess water, so the cloth is damp not wet. Start scrubbing from the edges of the stain, working your way to the centre. Briefly leave the solution to sit on the upholstery before using a fresh microfibre cloth to remove any excess soap. Then, pat dry with a dry microfibre cloth.”
If you can’t see the poll, click here
4. Juice
“Juice breaks can be disastrous if spilt on furniture and can quickly become sticky and pungent if not addressed immediately,” says Laura. “First, you’ll need to get rid of as much liquid as possible to avoid further damage to the upholstery, using a paper towel to absorb the juice. Next, spray the affected area with water then pat down with a paper towel; repeat this process until no juice is transfered onto the sheet. If the liquid has cleared but a stain is still visible, dip a sponge into a mixture of one teaspoon of dish soap and two cups of water, before gently dabbing the sponge onto the stain. Lastly, revert back to spraying the area with water and patting dry, ensuring soap residue has been removed.”
5. Ink & markers
“While it’s great to see your child’s creativity flow, ink and marker stains are a parent’s worst nightmare when it comes to furniture. Removing this stain may seem impossible, however, there is a remedy that you can use at home, ” says Laura.
“Firstly, tend to the stain with lukewarm water, using a microfibre cloth to blot this in. The phrase ‘dab don’t rub’ rings true here, as rubbing will deepen the stain. Next, apply rubbing alcohol. It’s important to note that this is a strong solution, so make sure to do a patch test prior to covering the stain. Apply the rubbing alcohol onto a clean microfibre cloth and gently dab onto the stain. The solution should lift the ink onto the cloth, reversing the damage. Alternatively, you can opt for using hairspray or white vinegar to remove ink stains.”
Tips to prevent stains on furniture
Laura adds: “While spillages and messes are unpredictable, there are ways to protect your furniture in case of an accident. Pretreating your sofas with an upholstery protector will help minimise stains and protect the fabric by preventing spillages from settling on the surface. Regularly vacuuming is another way of protecting your furniture, as removing dust, crumbs, or pet hairs can prevent them from latching onto the upholstery’s fibres. However, the best way to prevent stains on furniture is to be prepared. Ensuring that your home is stocked with remedies and powerful cleaners for stubborn stains such as grease, dirt, and ink will benefit your furniture’s life expectancy.”
