How to Wash Difficult Pieces of Furniture

Image of couch, a difficult to wash piece of furniture

We’ve all hit that moment of panic when a spill happens on an unexpected furniture piece. Whether a wine spill on a couch, or kids coloring on a wooden piece of furniture, unexpected marks are bound to happen on your furniture. The good news is, there are typically cleaning hacks for any tricky spills or marks. We’re here to bring you a few simple hacks to keep those difficult furniture pieces looking fresh.

How to Remove Couch Stains

For fabric upholstery, make an easy at-home cleaning solution with ¼ cup vinegar, ¾ cup warm water and a tablespoon of dish soap. Put the mixture into a spray bottle and mist over the area on the couch. Then scrub with a soft cloth, followed by dabbing with a second damp cloth with clean water to remove the soap. Finish up by patting with a dry towel.

How to Remove Stains from Throw Pillows

Decorative pillows should add ambiance to your home, so when unwanted spots appear, it’s important to address the stains as quickly as possible to have the best chance of successfully removing the stain. To remove spots from decorative throw pillows, make a simple solution of equal parts rubbing alcohol and white vinegar in a spray bottle. For a fresh smell, add a few drops of essential oil. Spray the solution on the stain, and immediately rub with a clean cloth. Alternatively, you can mix a teaspoon of dish soap with warm water and blot the stain, then rub with a dry towel.

Removing Stains from Wooden Tables

Wooden tables, whether in the kitchen, dining room, or even living room coffee tables, are meant to be gathered around and enjoyed. But all that time at the table means accidents are bound to happen. Here are some simple solutions for various stains in your wooden table.

  • Water stains are the most common occurrence, but thankfully there’s an easy fix! Mix a paste of salt and water, using only a couple of drops of water at a time, just enough to bind the salt. Then rub the mixture onto the stained surface and wipe off with a dry cloth. Another option is to use petroleum jelly. Rub the jelly onto the marked surface and leave overnight, wiping off with a dry cloth the following morning.
  • Red Wine or other dark liquids are another common culprit for leaving marks on the table. To rid your table of these types of stains, start with a dishwashing detergent and mix with hot water. Wet a cloth with the mixture and rub onto the stain. After that, you’ll rinse the spot with a clean dampened cloth. Follow this with polishing the table to leave it shining.
  • Pen and marker stains are another unfortunate, yet common occurrence. Start by wiping the mark with a damp cloth and a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent. If the mark doesn’t budge, you’ll need to try something a little more heavy duty with isopropyl alcohol. Since this is a stronger solution, make sure to test in a less noticeable spot first to see how it affects the wood. Rub the alcohol onto the stain with a cloth, and be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin. Afterwards, wash the spot with a damp, soapy cloth and then dry.

If and when a spill does happen, no need to panic with these simple cleaning hacks! And of course, you can always call your trusty Home Clean Heroes for a full-on house cleaning service at 844-439-4376.