Sweat/oil stains in furniture
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Eastern Shore of Maryland
Posts: 119
Sweat/oil stains in furniture
I was given two really nice high backed upholstered chairs that I would love to use, however from people leaning back in the chair there are stains on the upholstery where their head touched the fabric. Does anyone know how to remove these stains? They are actually brown in color now on a cream colored fabric. Thanks to anyone that has any ideas on how to save the chairs.
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,659
Hire a professional carpet/furniture cleaner?
I've used product called "Carpet Stain & Soil Remover" by Shaw floors on some upholstery and it worked wonders.
If you try this product, test it in an inconspicuous spot to see if the fabric is colorfast. It was okay on what i used it on, but fabrics vary.
Sprayed it on - let it set for 1 to 5 minutes - and then wiped the furniture with clean terry cloth washcloths. The dirt and grime transfer to the washcloths - and then I need to wash the washcloths - but they go in the washer more easily than the furniture.
I've also used "Awesome" - and used the same technique. This also worked very well for me. Also, test first on an inconspicuous spot.
I've also used just a barely damp cloth and wiped away at the spot.
I've used product called "Carpet Stain & Soil Remover" by Shaw floors on some upholstery and it worked wonders.
If you try this product, test it in an inconspicuous spot to see if the fabric is colorfast. It was okay on what i used it on, but fabrics vary.
Sprayed it on - let it set for 1 to 5 minutes - and then wiped the furniture with clean terry cloth washcloths. The dirt and grime transfer to the washcloths - and then I need to wash the washcloths - but they go in the washer more easily than the furniture.
I've also used "Awesome" - and used the same technique. This also worked very well for me. Also, test first on an inconspicuous spot.
I've also used just a barely damp cloth and wiped away at the spot.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,131
I have bought Awesome in the Dollar Store. I am terrible to get grease stains on the front of my knit tops. I asked a friend what to do about the stains and she advised I use Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid or Awesome.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,050
If the stains won't come out and reupholstering seems to cost as much as a new chair, how about making a little quilt for each one that can be held firmly in place with twist pins or perhaps shaped in such a way that they go over the chair backs like a slip cover? If the backs are straight at the sides, that wouldn't be any harder to do than making a bag with a squared off bottom. You could coordinate the fabric and design to go with the upholstery.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,050
Hours after I read this, I have just come across a Quiltworks magazine from 1994. A quilter wrote about her 3-yr-old marking a quilt with an orange Lip Smacker. She said that Fels Naphtha, which I believe is still available in grocery stores, got that stain out. I have never tried it, but thought I'd pass it along because although I've heard of that stuff, I don't recall ever seeing anyone recommend it before. It's been around for eons, so I'll bet it's good for something.
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ridgecrest, CA
Posts: 227
You might also try K2R, which is available in the grocery stores. It is like a dry cleaning process. Spray it on, wait till it is dry and brush off, then vacuum it. Be sure to test a hidden area first.
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