Certain types of fibers, such as wool, cotton, silk, and some nylons are particularly susceptible to permanent staining from coffee, tea, wine, etc. Be aware of hot liquids, especially. Of course, bleach and household chemicals (see below) can cause permanent staining as well.
Unfortunately for everyone, some stains are permanent. They simply become part of the fabric. Continued attempts to remove them will cause dye loss or fabric damage, known as chafing or fraying. Many stains are removed by the dry cleaning machine and require no additional effort from the cleaner.
You can get unexpected blood stains out of your favorite fabrics, but the key is doing it as soon as possible—dried blood can leave a permanent mark. In fact, blood is probably the hardest stain to remove from carpet, according to Samantha Hodges, director of digital marketing at Rugs.com.
Many people are often shocked to discover that wool is one of the more powerfully stain resistant materials out there. Wool has a number of properties that are very desirable in regards to stain resistance, most of which stem from the unique spiral structure of the fibers.
For fabric upholstery: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 warm water and 1 tablespoon of dish soap or Castile soap. Put in a spray bottle. Mist the soiled area. Scrub with a soft cloth until the stain lifts.
If you find a stain on an item that has been through a hot dryer, it doesn't have to be permanent. By using the right laundry products and the right technique, stains that have been dried do come out. Back-to-school cleaning.
Greasy / Oil Stains – such as hand lotion, hair mousse, lard and butter. Oxidisable Stains – key ingredient in alcoholic drinks, coffee and tea (without milk) and soft drinks. Particulate Stains – such as mud and ground in dirt. Combination Stains – these stains can be a mix of two or more of the above stain types.
Yet again white vinegar comes to the rescue when it comes to household chores. Considered to be as effective as oxygen bleach by many, white vinegar is incredibly powerful when it comes to removing stubborn stains.
Create a cleaning solution by combining equal parts water and white vinegar in a small bucket. Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution so that it is damp but not wet. Wipe the couch, rinsing the cloth regularly. Dry the couch with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
Bodily fluids and excrement are some of the hardest stains to remove. And they definitely happen, especially in homes with pets and children. Vomit, stool, and drool. They all leave serious stains and you'll want to take care of them as quickly as possible.
Light Colors are Best
While darker colors may look nicer in some cases, they will also show any dirt or stains more easily than light colors. Lighter colors such as beige, tan, and white are better choices because they will hide dirt and stains more effectively.
Nigrosin and India ink are both examples of negative stains commonly used in microbiology, although any negatively charged stain maybe used.
To clean a couch, mix one cup of isopropyl alcohol with half a cup of water, and dip a soft cloth into the solution. Gently blot the stain, being careful to avoid oversaturating it. The alcohol will evaporate quickly, so letting it air dry will remove any residual moisture in little time.
Blue. The color blue is a very refreshing color. It can also calm you down, not only because of the color itself but also because the deeper blues can help you mask stains. Having deep blue colored bed sheets and couches can help you hide most stains and even dirt.
Use hot water with a mild liquid soap. The trick is to use a white or a neutral cloth so that it doesn't bleed color on your sofa. For more stubborn stains, a solution of vinegar and baking soda can be used*.
Rubbing. Frantically rubbing a stain can make it spread further and also damage the weave of the fabric. Try gently dabbing the stain away first.
Going synthetic is a great choice if you really need stain resistance! Polyester and other synthetics fabrics are essentially made up of small fibers of plastic.
Dark tones and prints
According to The Company Store, grays and dark tones are excellent color choices for hiding stains, especially if you frequently sweat. Alternatively, Thompson Tee suggests giving blue sheets a go, as they are well known for hiding sweat stains (dark blue is your best bet).