How to remove water stains from a fabric sofa

how to remove water stains from fabric sofa

Did you know that water can leave stains on upholstery? A spill on your sofa seat can leave a brown, rusty, and ugly patch. Many homeowners come across this kind of dilemma, so today we’ll show you how to remove water stains from a fabric sofa or any upholstery.

Natural acids work well when dealing with hard water stains, so you don’t need to buy any specialized, expensive cleaning products for this process. Vinegar, Lemon juice, and rubbing alcohol will do the trick.

Let’s look at each approach below:

White vinegar gets rid of water stains

White vinegar contains natural acetic acid and is excellent for removing hard water stains from different surfaces and furniture, including your fabric sofa.

You’ll need:

  • 2 cups of white vinegar
  • 1 cup of hot water
  • A cloth
  • A soft-bristled brush

Follow these steps:

  1. Take a damp piece of cloth and first pat on the stained area to try to work on the excess stain.
  2. Mix the two liquids in the measurements given to form a solution (vinegar and water).
  3. Dip a piece of cloth in the solution and then dab on the stain.
  4. Take a soft-bristled brush and brush over while going in circular motions.
  5. Leave for about thirty minutes.
  6. Rinse again with the damp cloth and examine the stain.
  7. If you’re happy with the results, you can use a blow dryer to dry the area, but if the stain is still visible, repeat the process up to 3 times.
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Lemon juice approach to remove water stains from your sofa

Lemon is also another good solution for removing hard water stains from the sofa. The citric acid in the lemon will lift the stains easily.

You’ll need:

  • 2 freshly squeezed lemons
  • 1 cup of hot water
  • A cloth

Follow these steps:

  1. Mix the lemon juice and water to form a solution
  2. Take the solution and pour it on the affected part of the sofa.
  3. Let this sit for about 10 minutes to allow the citric acid to break down the water stains
  4. After the 10-minute time frame, spray more solution on the stain
  5. Then take a toothbrush and use it to work on the stain, as you continue sprinkling the lemon solution.
  6. Stop to examine if the stain is clearing out.
  7. Take a damp piece of cloth and pat the area. The stain will transfer to the piece of cloth.
  8. Repeat the process until all the stain has come off.
  9. Once done, take a dry piece of towel and pat dry the area.

Enjoy your stain-free couch!

Rubbing alcohol is also effective

Rubbing alcohol is also another hack that will help remove water stains from your couch.

You’ll need:

  • 1 cup of rubbing alcohol
  • 1/2 cup of warm water
  • An old toothbrush
  • A spray bottle

Follow the following steps:

  1. Mix the two liquids to dilute the alcohol.
  2. Put the solution in a spray bottle.
  3. Spray the rubbing alcohol solution on the water stains on the sofa.
  4. Make sure you use enough to cover the stains.
  5. Using your toothbrush, gently scrub in circular motions to push the two products into the water stain.
  6. Leave the rubbing alcohol for about 10 minutes to set in well.
  7. Take a damp piece of cloth and pat on the spot to finish up the procedure.
  8. Once satisfied your sofa is spotless, pat the area dry.
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Be aware the some fabric sofas have removable couch covers can be removed and tossed in the washing machine. If that’s the case, then spot clean the area with the ingredients above and launder as you normally would.

OxiClean works wonders on sofa fabric

You have probably already heard about the magic of OxiClean cleaner. It will work well on removing water stains on your fabric sofa as well. If all else fails, use OxiClean.

You’ll need:

  • OxiClean
  • Warm water
  • A spray bottle
  • A soft-bristled brush
  • A cloth

Follow this procedure:

  1. Take warm water and mix it with OxiClean, according to the instructions written on the package.
  2. Saturate the stained area on the fabric sofa with OxiClean.
  3. Take a vacuum and clean the area once you have poured OxiClean. Alternatively, take a soft-bristled brush and work on the stain.
  4. Finish by taking a damp cloth and patting on the stained area. This will transfer any remaining stains to the piece of cloth.
  5. Use a hairdryer to dry the area.

Other water stains and how to deal with them:

Frequently asked questions

Does water stain upholstery?

Water can stain the sofa and other upholstery because of the minerals in the water. Hard water contains minerals like copper and magnesium, which react with some fabrics. We recommend going for a milder solution to begin with because some water solutions can actually just be removed by the water itself

Can the suggestions above work for removing water stains from other upholstery?

Yes, the solutions above can remove water stains from any other upholstery. The products are all-natural, inexpensive, and easily available. So you won’t need to break the bank to keep your home clean and stain free. But just to be safe, before attempting to clean though, check the care tag on your sofa to find out the best option for your seats.

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For more information about getting rid of water stains on different types of upholstery, check out this article. You can also read here to find out how to eliminate water stains on your carpet.

How can one maintain their sofa and avoid water stains?

To maintain your sofa and keep it free from water stains, the best approach would be to clean your sofa daily if possible and put a little vinegar in the cleaning water. This prevents the build-up of stains.

 Vacuuming your seats daily will also work well with lifting the stains.

Is OxiClean suitable for removing water stains from the sofa?

Yes, OxiClean can get rid of water stains on sofa fabric.  Just do a small test first on a hidden place on your couch to ensure bleaching does not happen. But as always, we advise you start with the natural solutions, then move to stronger commercial ones only if need be.

Wrapping up

A freshly cleaned set of sofas makes a house very neat and presentable. Everyone loves when the living room is clean and tidy. Next time you have those ugly brown stains on your sofa, don’t get discouraged, just choose which solution works for you and remove those water stains from your sofa.

how to remove water stains from fabric sofa

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