A surprising cleaning method involving a common kitchen item could be the answer to banishing stubborn stains from your sofa. The unusual tip, which uses a pan lid and two household ingredients, emerged from a quest to uncover the best home 'hacks'.
The Pan Lid Method for Sofa Stains
The advice was highlighted by writer Eleanor Cording-Booth, who compiled an extensive list of 77 home tips. Her mission began earlier this year when she asked her Instagram followers for the household wisdom she might be 'missing'. The responses flooded in, with white vinegar predictably taking centre stage. However, one of the more unconventional suggestions specifically targeted upholstery marks.
As detailed in House and Garden, the method is straightforward. Wrap a clean cloth around the lid of a pan and secure it at the handle. Then, create a mixture of laundry detergent and water. Dip the pan-cloth into this solution and apply it with pressure to the stained fabric. The guidance suggests moving it around 'like you would a hoover' to lift the grime.
Crucial Care Label Warnings
While this hack offers a simple solution, experts urge caution. Furniture company Furniture Instore emphasises that different care labels dictate the safest cleaning method. They note that techniques using water or detergent should only be used on sofas with a W or WS label, which indicate that water-based or water/solvent-based cleaners are acceptable.
The company provides an alternative, gentle method for delicate fabrics. This requires:
- One teaspoon of mild dish soap or laundry detergent.
- 250ml of warm distilled water.
- Microfibre cloths.
- A spray bottle (optional).
The process involves creating a lather, lightly applying it to a cloth, and gently blotting the stain from the outside in. A clean cloth should then blot away the mixture, followed by a third cloth to remove moisture before allowing the sofa to air dry.
Related Stain-Removal Advice
This news follows other shared cleaning wisdom from earlier in the year. On social media, cleaning enthusiasts revealed a 'genius' one-item hack for ink stains. One Reddit user sought help after a toddler's pen 'masterpiece' adorned a suede-like sofa. A suggested solution was using rubbing alcohol at a 50% concentration to prevent fabric damage.
A critical warning accompanied this tip: always blot the stain instead of rubbing, as rubbing can spread the ink or harm the fabric's fibres. The overarching advice from all experts remains consistent: always check the manufacturer's care label before attempting any cleaning method on your furniture.
