There is one thing that can make your upholstery unsightly, and that is water stains. Not even the actual spill would look as bad as these water stains. Water seems harmless but can leave unsightly marks on delicate fabrics such as velvet, silk, microfiber, and others. The spill can have various causes, but one thing is certain: it will stain the upholstery, and you will have to clean it up.
To help you with your question of how to get water stains out of upholstery, we have written this post. We will tell you some cost-effective methods for removing water stains from your custom made furniture upholstery.
How Do Water Stains On Upholstery Occur?
Let’s keep the concern of how to get water stains out of upholstery a bit aside, and let’s know how these stains occur. Water stains occur usually when the water is spilled and then evaporated from the upholstery surface. This evaporated water leaves behind residues like salt, minerals, and a trace amount of dirt. These residues all get absorbed by the upholstery fabric fibers and leave a ring or a spot.
Usually, natural fabrics like cotton and linen are more prone to having watermarks. Synthetic blends, polyester, Sunbrella, and rayon tend to resist water stains.
Some Preparations For Water Stains – Materials Needed
Before you start your attempt to remove the water stain from the upholstery, you need to prepare all the necessary things. This is what you are going to need.
- A vacuum cleaner
- Clean clothes
- Distilled Water
- A Mild Upholstery Cleaner
- Soft Bristle Brush
4 Best Methods To Get Water Stains Out Of Upholstery
These are our 4 proven methods to help you get water stains out of upholstery. We tested them ourselves on multiple upholstery fabrics, and the results were satisfactory.
Cleaning With Vinegar Solution
White vinegar is quite effective when getting tough stains out of upholstery. The reason is vinegar tends to break down minerals left in the water. Below are the steps to use it.
Mix 1 part white vinegar in 2 parts distilled water within a spray bottle.
Do a small test of the solution on an inconspicuous part of the upholstery fabrics to check if it damages the upholstery or not.
Spray it over the water-stained area and use a clean cloth to blot it. Do not rub, instead, work your way inside to prevent it from spreading.
Take another clean cloth dipped in water and blot the vinegar-treated area to remove its residue.
Now, let the upholstery air dry under a running fan. You can also dry it using a hair dryer in a low heat setting.
Cleaning With A Mild Detergent
If your upholstery is made of delicate fabrics and suffers from water stains, you will need to use a mild detergent to clean them. This is the step-by-step process for it.
Mix some mild laundry detergent in water and make a sudsy solution of it that doesn’t have too much lather.
Take a clean cloth and dip it in this solution. Now, gently use this to blot the water stain, and remember to work your way in instead of rubbing or scrubbing.
Now, take another clean cloth dipped in plain water and use it to remove the soapy residue.
Let the wet upholstery air dry under a running fan, or use a hair dryer on a low-heat setting for faster drying.
Professional Upholstery Cleaning
If these home remedies do not seem to be working for your furniture upholstery, you need to get professional help. There are many professional upholstery cleaning service providers. They have specialized equipment, the right cleaning materials, and know the appropriate cleaning methods. They will remove even the toughest of the water stains out of upholstery with ease without damaging the upholstery fabrics.
Prevention Tips For Water Stains
If you have successfully gotten rid of water stains out of upholstery, the next thing for you is prevention. This is prevention against future water stains. These are tips for it.
Make use of fabric protectors such as Scotchguard. This will create a protective layer that prevents water from seeping into the upholstery fibers.
When cleaning upholstery at home, do not saturate it with water. Oftentimes, this water for cleaning leaves the water stains.
Make a habit of daily vacuuming your upholstery to clean off any dirt and debris. When water spills over the furniture, the dust on it causes the stains to become more visible.
Conclusion
Having water stains on the upholstery doesn’t mean the end of the furniture’s beauty. You need to show a little patience and have the know-how for basic cleaning to remove stains from upholstery. The methods we explained above will help effectively remove the water stains. If the home remedies do not work, it is always better to seek professional help. Prevention is the solution to 90% of upholstery-related issues, so make use of our tips to keep your upholstery looking good for a long time.
