Permanent or stubborn stains are typically caused by spillages that are not removed quickly after they occurred. The key to handle such challenging spots is to remove the stains immediately after you discover it. Hopefully by the time you act on the stain, the spillage has not caked within the textile and become permanent. If all safe ways are tried but results don’t meet your expectation, always contact a professional cleaning company immediately.
Below are common stains that can highly cause “permanent” stain and suggestions how to remove / lighten the mark.
1. Watermark
Watermarks are often seen on soft furnishings like carpet, sofa and mattress after flooding or caused by leaking air conditioner. When water spillage is left on the fabric for too long before drying, watermarks will develop. To prevent watermarks from forming, quickly get on your toes to dry the spillage as quickly as possible, by turning on the fan / air conditioner, opening up the windows, etc.
If watermarks can’t be avoided, then you can try to remove / lighten the stain by blotting the spot with a clean damp cloth that has been lightly moistened with mild detergent and warm water that is safe for your fabric material. Remove as much stains as possible by repeating this step till no more stain can be removed / lightened. Rinse the soaped area by blotting using a clean damp cloth till the soap is fully removed. Immediately dry the damp spot using a fan or hair dryer switched to cool mode.
2. Red Wine Stain
You may think your expensive sofa is damaged when your guest spilled a glass of red wine. Red wine is not deadly if they are removed quickly after a spillage. Simply use layers of clean kitchen papers to absorb any excess spillage (never rub). Next, pour a small amount of white wine onto a clean white cloth and use it to blot the stain till removed. If stain can’t be removed completely, apply a layer of soda paste on the stained spot and leave it to dry overnight. Vacuum thoroughly the next day.
3. Curry Stain
Turmeric in curry powder is the key culprit that can cause your soft furnishing to be permanently stained if curry gravy is spilled. If the spot is not quickly removed when it is still fresh, the spot can quickly become a permanent mark on your soft furnishing especially if the fabric type is one that absorb fluid and stain quickly.
If spillage occurs, quickly remove any excess curry spillage by scrapping or dabbing using layers of kitchen paper to absorb the wet gravy. Use a clean, white, damp cloth that has been moistened with diluted white vinegar and a little amount of dish washing detergent to blot the stain. Blot till no more stain can be removed / lightened. After 60 minutes, rinse the spot by blotting the damp area with a clean damp cloth that has been rinsed with clean water. Blot till the soap and vinegar are fully removed. If stain is still visible, blot the spot with rubbing alcohol which can be purchased from local pharmacy. After rinsing make sure the damp spot is dried quickly.
