THE BEST DIY COUCH STAIN REMOVER RECIPES

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The best DIY couch stain remover recipes!

Today I’m sharing with you my absolute favourite recipes to make all natural, DIY stain removers for your couch.

The following recipes are all natural. No need for toxic ingredients or harsh chemicals. 

They all use simple ingredients you already have in your kitchen. 

Plus, check the FAQs section at the bottom of the post.

The following post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll get a small commission if you decide to buy using the links provided. This will add NO EXTRA COST to you but it helps me to keep this blog up and running. Thank you. You can get more info by reading my Disclaimer page.

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Our two dogs are really great fun. They keep us company and entertain us with  mischief and cuddles. They truly are part of our family and we would never want to be without.

For some reason, they have decided that the little leather couch we have in our living room is their own exclusive domain, and we never get a chance to sit there, unless we  embark in a race and beat them to it!

It really is great fun, and we don’t mind letting them have their own private sofa in the house. However, the couch gets really dirty and fast!

How do I clean my sofa myself?

That’s the one million dollar question, isn’t it? With the dogs spending so much time on the sofa, especially in the winter months, I needed to come up with a cleaning solution that is: 

• Effective;
• Not time consuming;
• Natural and non toxic.

Well, I think if you are in the same predicament, you will want to read this blog post till the end!

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How do you get a deep stain out of a couch?

Thankfully for you, there are several natural solution you can use to clean your sofa in case it gets too dirty or stained.

However, the very first thing you should do is to read the label!

Yes, sofas do come with a label, just like clothes. The label will tell you what you can and cannot use to clean it.

Indeed, this is very important if you want to preserve your couch and keep it in good condition for many years to come.

How do I know if my couch can be cleaned?

Generally speaking, all couches and sofas can be cleaned. But, the type of cleaning products and methods you will use will depend on the specific fabric and materials used to produce your piece of furniture.

where is the cleaning code on my furniture?

According to this article:”Just like how you’d find cleaning labels on your clothes, upholstery fabric codes are found on the underside of the main section. For instance, cleaning codes on sofas are usually found on the seat cushions. You’ll normally find the tags tucked down the sides of the cushion, next to the armrest, or around the back of the couch.

If you can’t reach down the sides of the sofa cushion, it’s likely because the cushion has been sewn to the frame during upholstering. In this case, you’ll need to inspect the sofa’s platform (this is the hard bit underneath where the cushions sit). You should be able to find the cleaning tag if you run your hand across the front. To get a better look, try to pull it away from the platform until you spot its letter coding (it will read either “W”, “S”, “S-W” or “X”).

Alternatively, if the cleaning tags have been removed or cut off, you should look at the manufacturer’s website to get the full cleaning specifications for your furniture”.

what Do cleaning codes mean?

Let’s have a look at some of the most common codes, to see what they mean and how you can use them to determine how to clean your sofa.

What does cleaning code W mean?

The code “W” stands for a “water-based cleaner”. In other words, these fabrics can be washed (or spot cleaned), with a water based cleaning product, such as a shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. However, you should always avoid harsh products like alcohol as they will ruin the fabric.

These fabrics are the easiest to clean. But, you should be careful to not over wet them. In particular, remember that the code “W” doesn’t mean that the fabric can be put in a washing machine! 

What does cleaning code S mean?

The code “S” stands for “solvent”, and it indicates fabrics that can be dry cleaned only. Do not wet these fabrics as you will damage them.

On the other hand, water-free solvents such as rubbing alcohol, clear alcohols and dry cleaning solvents are ideal for this type of sofas and upholstery.

What does cleaning code W/S mean?

A “W/S” code is nothing other than a combination of the previous two. This means that your couch can be cleaned with a water-based cleaner and with a dry cleaning product.

In this case, it is advised to do a small “patch test” before cleaning: choose a small, inconspicuous spot of your sofa and treat it. Wait till the fabric is fully dry to see if there’s any damage. If the fabric is intact, you can then treat your couch safely.

What does cleaning code X mean?

An “X” code is almost self explanatory. It means you can not treat your sofa either with water based products, or solvents.

In those cases, you can exclusively vacuum or brush the fabric.

If you happen to stain a fabric with this code, your only option is to call in the professionals!

How do you make homemade couch cleaner?

Before we dig into the recipes for the best DIY couch stain remover, let me give you a few pro tips!

PRO CLEANING TIPS

• When cleaning a stain, you should never rub it. The best way is to blot it instead. Rubbing will only push the stain further into the fabric, making it more difficult to clean it.
• Cleaning codes aside, it is best practice to vacuum your upholstery often. This will get rid of dust, allergens, pet hair, etc. Cleaning the fabric will be much easier after vacuuming.
• A fabric sofa with a “deep pile” needs to be brushed after cleaning in order to restore its natural look.
• Tap water can sometimes contain chemicals that are not suitable to be used in DIY cleaning products. Choose distilled water if possible. 
• If your couch has zipped cushions, do not remove the covers to wash them. They might shrink or tear during cleaning, rendering them unusable afterwards.
• Regardless of what type of cleaning product you use, never apply it straight on to the fabric. Instead, you should spray it onto a clean cloth or rag (a microfiber cloth is perfect for the job). Direct application on the fabric may stain it or discolour fabrics.

important

Always wear protective gloves when cleaning your home, car, or outdoor areas.

Do not handle any cleaning product or dirty, infested item without protecting your hands first!

Before applying or spraying any product on your furniture or upholstery, check the labels and cleaning instructions.

Do not spray any expensive item, as you might possibly damage it. Leave costly items to the professionals!

Always test on a small, inconspicuous area first.

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If you like to make your own homemade cleaners, you will love these posts!

I have an entire section on my blog dedicated to natural homemaking and you should definitively check it!

This is an example of what you will find here:

15 BEST ECO FRIENDLY CLEANING PRODUCTS FOR THE KITCHEN (EASY AND NATURAL)

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN HOMEMADE, DIY COUCH STAIN REMOVER

Dear friend, I’m going to share with you several homemade recipes you can try to treat and clean your couch naturally.

Indeed, all the following recipes use natural ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. 

I hope you will find them useful.

IMPORTANT

Check the labels before you start making any of the following DIY couch stain remover recipes!

All the following recipes are for information and ideas purposes only.

Use any of them at your own risk, as I cannot accept any responsibility for any damage your furniture or upholstery can incur in.

Always test recipes on a small area first. Indeed, it is always best and safer to do a spot test on inconspicuous area first.

If in doubt, always contact professional upholstery cleaners.

A NOTE ON THE INGREDIENTS

As mentioned already, all the following recipes use exclusively simple ingredients you likely already have at home.

dish soap

Any dish soap (for example Dawn dish detergent) are extremely good at cutting through dirt and grease stains.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

A natural alternative to bleach, this ingredient can brighten fabrics while lightening the colour of dark stains.

BAKING SODA

Baking soda is one of my favourite ingredients when it comes to make DIY cleaning products! You can use it in so many different ways, to clean and deodorise fabric and surfaces. It is a mildly abrasive agent than can remove old stains easily as well.

WHITE VINEGAR

White vinegar is an excellent disinfectant and deodoriser. I use it daily to disinfect kitchen countertops, clean windows and mirrors, and as a natural fabric conditioner.

Never use cooking vinegar for cleaning purposes. Stick to white distilled vinegar instead.

How to Clean a Fabric Couch

There are several ways you can clean a fabric couch. 

Let me give you some examples!

all natural fabric couch stain remover

This, in my modest opinion, is the best cleaner and best stain remover recipe you will find on the internet today!

You will need:

• 1/4 cup of white vinegar;
• One TBSP of dishwashing liquid (or Castile soap or another mild soap);
• 1 cup of warm water.

In a spray bottle, mix all ingredients and shake well.

Grab a dry cloth or rag, and slightly spray it with the vinegar solution. Start cleaning the sofa by gently dabbing it.

Lightly wet another cloth with water only, and rinse the area.

For tough stains, you can apply the homemade stain remover for a second time (if needed).

Let the area air dry naturally.

DIY COUCH STAIN REMOVER WITH BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR

For this recipe, you will need:

• 1 TBSP each of dish soap and white vinegar;
• 2 cups of warm water;
• Baking soda (to sprinkle).

Start by sprinkling the baking soda on the affected area. Leave it work for at least 20 minutes, and for an hour max. After this initial time, with the help of your vacuum, make sure to get rid of all the baking soda (use a brush attachment for this purpose).

While waiting for the baking soda to work its magic, grab a spray bottle and mix the soap, white vinegar and water. 

After removing the baking soda, spray the wet mix on a cloth or rag, and start treating the stain.

With the help of a clean wet cloth, lightly rinse the area.

You can apply the cleaning solution for a second time if needed.

Let the area air dry naturally.

DIY COUCH STAIN REMOVER WITH RUBBING ALCOHOL AND VINEGAR

Let’s face it: life with kids is …… unpredictable! And, if your children are artistically inclined, ink stains might happen sometimes!

Thankfully for you, I have another recipe you could use as a spot treatment for ink stains.

In a spray bottle, add a cup each of rubbing alcohol and vinegar. Shake well to mix the 2 ingredients.

Spray the mixture on a cloth or rag, and gently dab the stain with it.

Allow the fabric to air dry before treating it again (if necessary).

DIY COUCH STAIN REMOVER WITH hydrogen peroxide

This recipe is recommended on lightly coloured fabric only. The hydrogen peroxide in fact, will lighten the dark colour of stains, but it could discolour your couch as well.

This recipe works very well on stains such as coffee, or red wine.

In a small spray bottle, add a cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1 TBSP of dish soap. Shake well to mix the 2 ingredients.

Spray the mixture on a cloth or rag, and gently dab the stain with it.

Lightly wet another cloth with water only and rinse the area.

Dry the fabric with a towel at first. Then, let it air dry.

How to Clean a LEATHER Couch

Leather couches might be more intimidating to clean as they can be quite expensive.

However, I’m going to give you the recipe for a very effective homemade solution. 

DIY LEATHER COUCH CLEANER RECIPE with white vinegar

In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of warm water. Dip a cloth or rag in the wet mixture, and gently start cleaning your sofa. Wipe it gently, making sure to not over wet it.

After cleaning it, dry the sofa with a clean, dry towel.

For best results, and to keep the leather soft, you should apply a leather conditioner regularly to your sofa (about every 6 months).

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THE BEST DIY COUCH STAIN REMOVER RECIPES: FAQs

I appreciate that the idea of cleaning your expensive sofa at home with a DIY product might be daunting. This is why I’ve compiled some of the most common questions about this topic.

I hope you find this section helpful.

Does vinegar remove couch stains?

White vinegar is very effective to remove stains and to deodorise fabric.

Can white vinegar ruin fabric? Can I spray white vinegar on my couch?

Vinegar is a very strong ingredient, and I honestly would never spray it directly on the couch or any other fabric. 

It is best to use it in a mix, diluted with other liquid ingredients. Furthermore, make sure to spray any homemade mix on a clean rag or cloth before treating any stain. Do not spray directly on your furniture or upholstery.

What is the hardest stain to get off a couch? Are there stains that cannot be removed?

According to this specialised article, the hardest and most stubborn stains to remove (that often times require the help of professionals), are:

• Chocolate, 
• Blood,
• Tomato sauce,
• Red wine.

The very same article reminds us that in those cases “Rubbing a stained area of fabric can actually push the pigment deeper into the fibers, leading to longer-lasting absorption of the stain. Furthermore, many tips and tricks you’ll find online aren’t meant for certain fabric types. […] You may end up degrading the fabric and making the spot even more unsightly than before.”

Sometimes there is no other option than to call in the experts!

Does baking soda remove couch stains?

Baking soda will not remove completely a stain from your sofa, but it will help in loosening it, while at the same time will deodorise the fabric.

This ingredient works effectively when in conjunction with another one (see the recipes I share above).

Will baking soda ruin my couch? Is baking soda safe on couches?

Baking soda will not ruin your sofa. However, you must not let it sit on the fabric for too long. In any case, always refer to the cleaning label or manufacturer’s instructions.

How long do you let baking soda sit on couch? Can you leave baking soda on a couch overnight?

You can safely let baking soda sit on fabric for a minimum of 10 minutes to a maximum of one hour.

After one hour, make sure to remove it completely by using an upholstery attachment with your vacuum cleaner.

Will rubbing alcohol ruin my couch?

The excellent Reader’s Digest, gives us the answer to this question: “The rubbing alcohol won’t leave water stains, but it will change the couch color and make the seat feel a bit hard—but not for long. Just use a bristle brush to fluff the area in a circular motion once the rubbing alcohol has dried, and your couch will look as good as new”.

Can I use dawn on my couch?

You can certainly use a dish soap like Dawn to treat stains on your couch. However, never use the soap undiluted and on dry fabric.

It is best to use it according to the recipe I provide above. That’s an excellent  homemade upholstery cleaner!

Can I use hydrogen peroxide to remove stains?

Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective stain remover for various types of stains. In addition to that, it works well in treating mildew, blood, fruit and vegetable, and dye stains.

THE BEST DIY COUCH STAIN REMOVER RECIPES: CONCLUSIONS

I hope you found this post useful.

I know from experience how your couch is always under continuous attack from every member of your family! From food stains to pet stains to red wine stains, your sofa will see them all!

The recipes I shared above will certainly do a great job at removing those stains, while deodorising the fabric at the same time.

Let me know in the comment section below if you try any of the recipes, I’d love to hear from you.