Linda Renfro

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.

bearisgray

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.

nativetexan

that is the reason ladies put antimacassar's on their furniture. hair oil! I do hope you get it all out. good luck.

elnan

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.

tranum

I know people who keep a mixture of 2 parts hydrogen peroxide and 1 part Blue Dawn in a spray bottle for stains on laundry.

gramma nancy

A bit more expensive than a bottle of Dawn -- but, reupholster? If you really love them, it may be worth it.

Rose_P

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.

nativetexan

oh good idea. i have a small quilt on top of the recliner for my cat! twist pins are definitely used. she tends to crawl up. she is a bit over weight. don't tell her i said that.

Rose_P

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.

M cubed

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.