If you manage to get nasty drool stains on your sofa, do not worry. Here are 10 best methods that will show you how to tackle these stains easily.
Drool stains are some of the most innocent but stubborn stains you can come by. From a napping relative to an adorable pet, it is surprising how quickly you can amass these drool stains on your beloved couch.
But luckily, there are plenty of techniques you can use to tackle this problem. So, here is a comprehensive list of 10 methods to remove these irritating stains for good.
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Understanding The Couch Cleaning Lable
Fortunately, most stores bought textile cleaners explicitly designed to be safe to use. However, as many may know, you still must be careful.
Every mass-produced modern textile will have a treasured white tag hidden somewhere on it. This critical component provides all the necessary information about how to deal with it appropriately.
Luckily, most modern textiles are manufactured to make them hassle-free to clean and are washing machine safe. However, more specialized upholstery can specify dry cleaning or the use of specific cleaning agents to prevent damage.
Fortunately, universally utilized symbols are used on these product labels to ensure you are on the right track. Here are the most significant and common ones you may see:
- X – Professionally clean only, so take it straight to the dry cleaners.
- S – Solvent cleaners exclusively
- W – Only use water-based cleaners.
- SW/WS – This can take any cleaning method, including solvent, water-based cleaners, and steam wands.
You must observe the cleaning instructions provided to you on your couch’s cleaning label. The manufacturer will always be the best source of knowledge to guarantee your textiles are kept safe.
Top 10 Methods
Fortunately, there are generally several methods to tackle stains. This is no less true when we are talking about ingrained saliva on our favorite couch.
Depending on the type of textile, cleaning instructions, and severity of the stain, you will have to decide on the best method for you and your couch. Always use the mildest method before you use a more robust cleaning method.
This is a great safety measure to prevent you from accidentally damaging your upholstery.
If you are still determining if a particular method will be too powerful, always test it on a smaller, more discrete section of your couch to confirm it will not discolor or damage it. Although most of these methods are reasonably gentle, you can never be too safe.
So here goes. These are the top ten methods for removing drool stains from your couch:
White Vinegar
As with many cleaning methods, sometimes the old ones are the best. For example, white vinegar has been regarded as the ideal home cleaning method for an unbelievable amount of stains.
Most of us probably have an old vinegar bottle in the back of a dusty old kitchen cupboard. So we are already fully equipped to take on the stain.
Vinegar is a natural and relatively strong acid, which is perfect for unsticking, particularly stubborn stains. It is also considered safe for the majority of fabrics, but you be careful using it on fragile leather.
To use, simply add a cup of white vinegar to a cup of warm water. Mix thoroughly and blot generously to the affected areas.
Be patient, and the drool stains will quickly begin to disappear.
[amazon box=”B07CN5K12R” template=”vertical”]Baking Soda
Another incredibly effective home remedy is baking soda. It is another DIY essential that will likely sit on your kitchen cupboard’s top shelf.
Baking soda is a gentle alkali that is excellent at breaking up tightly bound stains and grime. It has an added benefit of being odorless too, which is beneficial compared to the vinegar alternative.
The best approach is to create a paste with a cup of baking soda with just enough water to give it the texture of toothpaste. Then, apply the paste to the affected areas and leave it for 24 hours.
Once the time is up, wash the remaining dried paste away with a damp cloth and inspect the fantastic results!
[amazon box=”B0722NB764″ template=”vertical”]Lemon Juice
Lemon is another naturally occurring acid. It can actually be more potent than vinegar, so be vigilant about how fragile your upholstery is before you use this technique.
For this method, add a cup of warm water to the juice of half a large lemon. Use this mixture to dampen a microfiber cloth and repeatedly blot the drool stain.
Remember to use lemon juice sparingly because there is a risk that it will discolor the textile. However, if all goes to plan, you will have an amazing-smelling and new-looking couch in no time.
[amazon box=”B074J5WZS8″ template=”vertical”]Rubbing Alcohol
For a more drastic cleaning method, you should think about using rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. This well-known cleaning technique is perfect for tackling deeply penetrated stains and grease.
To apply, use it in a spray bottle. Again, you can use it reasonably generously.
Just remember to wait until it has fully evaporated before you can wipe the remaining stain particles off.
You may be left with a couch that smells a bit like vodka. So before you use this technique, be sure to have a fragrance ready to replace the powerful alcohol smell.
[amazon box=”B07NFSFBXQ” template=”vertical”]Bleach
You can use bleach as a powerful cleaning agent for stubborn stains. Be very careful, however, as it can quickly ruin delicate textiles.
Moreover, bleach is an incredibly harmful substance and should always be used with causation. Be sure to use gloves throughout the process and keep well out of reach of pets and children.
To use this method, you must be precise in preparing it. Try to add around 3ml of bleach to 1000ml of water.
This will provide you with the optimum concentration to remove stains but not permanently damage the material. Apply the mixture to the drool-stained area for 10-15 minutes.
Be sure not to let it sit any longer, as it is highly corrosive. Wash the area with warm soapy water afterward, ensuring you have removed any residual bleach.
[amazon box=”B016OKJD9S” template=”vertical”]Enzyme Cleaner
An enzyme cleaner is a more specialized product that can often be picked up at your local pet store. It is an excellent all-around cleaner that is loved by pet owners internationally.
The primary goal of the cleaner is to tackle stains and grime by using living enzymes to agitate and loosen up stubborn stains. It is an incredibly effective and very gentle approach, even to delicate textiles.
Enzyme cleaners can be applied in various ways depending on the manufacturer. Be sure to follow their instructions accurately, and you will be well on your way to a clean, fresh couch.
[amazon box=”B094X9T138″ template=”vertical”]Elbow Grease
Another old-fashioned by rarely forgotten technique is using a bit of elbow grease. In essence, you will likely remove a stain with enough time and repetition with whipping and blotting.
Drool stains from pets, or people are particularly stubborn due to their rich mineral content, penetrating the material and hardening quickly. But if you are up to it, try this helpful technique to remove the drool and hopefully give you some muscles in the process.
[amazon box=”B001BSJ1F0″ template=”vertical”]Dish Soap
Dish soap is one of the most commonly used cleaning methods globally. It is excellent at tackling grease and grime, so why not use it on your couch?
Add a squirt of dish soap to two cups of warm water. Use a textured microfiber cloth and begin scrubbing.
Over time the soap will start to break down the drool stain and hopefully leave you with a beautifully clean couch. Be careful to use only a little dish soap, however.
Do not apply it directly to the couch. Otherwise, it will cause a stain itself.
[amazon box=”B07HKR2QP9″ template=”vertical”]Dry cleaner
If your couch label recommends that you dry clean your couch cases, you should do so. It is a delicate and professional method to effectively remove dirt and grime from the most fragile of textiles.
Even if it is not dry clean specific, you can also take your couch covers to professional cleaners. This is a more expensive option, but sometimes we should leave these more complicated jobs to the professionals.
Washing Machine
Sometimes the most obvious options are the best. For example, modern washing machines are well equipped to handle just about any textile that comes it’s way.
This is true for couch covers too. You can use your home washing machine if they need to be cleaned.
Be extra careful to follow the cleaning label’s instructions and refrain from using an overly hot wash or dryer if they do not recommend it.
Conclusion
You should now be secure in the knowledge that you can easily take on even the nastiest and most stubborn drool stains on your couch.
Reviewing the article above should equip you with all the skills required to take on these disgusting and stubborn stains, no matter how old or deeply penetrated. So you can get back to enjoying your loved ones and pets without any niggling worries about staining you couch.