An unconventional cleaning method involving a common kitchen item could be the solution to stubborn sofa stains, according to a newly compiled list of household tips. The hack suggests using a pan lid, a cloth, and a mixture of laundry detergent and water to tackle marks left behind after festive indulgence.
The Viral Quest for Home Hacks
This unusual suggestion surfaced after writer Eleanor Cording-Booth embarked on a mission to uncover useful household tips she might be "missing." She posed the question to her Instagram followers earlier this year and was inundated with responses, noting that white vinegar unsurprisingly played a "starring role" in many ideas.
Among the 77 home "hacks" she compiled, one particularly inventive tip focused on cleaning upholstered furniture. The method was shared in detail in House and Garden magazine.
How the Pan Lid Method Works
The technique is surprisingly simple. First, wrap a clean cloth around the lid of a pan and secure it at the handle. Next, mix laundry detergent with water and dip the cloth-wrapped lid into the solution.
"Apply this with pressure to an upholstered piece and move it around like you would a hoover," Cording-Booth advised. This creates a focused, scrubbing action that can help lift ingrained dirt and stains from fabric.
Crucial Cautions and An Alternative Method
However, furniture experts urge caution. Furniture Instore, a furniture company, emphasises that different sofa care labels dictate the safest cleaning method. They warn that not all fabrics can tolerate this or any water-based approach.
The company offers an alternative technique also using laundry detergent, but stresses it should only be used on sofas with a W or WS label. These labels indicate that water-based cleaners, or water and solvent-based cleaners, are acceptable.
Their recommended method involves:
- Mixing a teaspoon of mild dish soap or laundry detergent with 250ml of warm distilled water to create a lather.
- Lightly applying the solution to a microfibre cloth.
- Gently blotting the stain, working from the outside inwards.
- Blotting away the mixture with a second clean cloth.
- Using a third cloth to remove any leftover moisture before allowing the sofa to air dry.
This news follows related cleaning advice shared on social media earlier this year. In one instance, a Reddit user sought help removing pen marks left by a toddler on a suede-like sofa. The most suggested solution was using rubbing alcohol, with a strong caution to blot, not rub, to avoid damaging the fabric.
The universal advice from all experts remains clear: always check the manufacturer's care label before attempting any new cleaning hack on your furniture.
