Heidi Norton
A couch is a breeding ground for crumbs, spare change, lost remotes, pet hair, bacteria, and stains. It is important to clean your couch regularly, especially if you use it frequently or have pets. If you have a perfume stain on your couch, it is important to act quickly. First, use a rag or paper towel to absorb any remaining liquid from the perfume. If the perfume has already dried, you may need to use an upholstery stain remover. Once you have removed the excess liquid, saturate the spot with cold water. You can also sprinkle baking soda over the stain to absorb any remaining liquid or oil. After letting it sit for 20 minutes, vacuum up the remains. If the stain is particularly stubborn, you may need to use a professional cleaning service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First steps | Find the source of the stain, then remove the cushions and cushion covers. |
| Removing excess liquid | Use an old rag or paper towels to absorb the liquid. |
| Removing the stain | Use a bleach-free upholstery stain remover. |
| Removing odours | Use vinegar, baking soda, charcoal, or an odour-absorbing spray. |
| Vacuum | Vacuum the crevices, underneath and behind the couch. |
| Washing | Wash cushion covers in cool water with a bleach-free detergent and vinegar. |
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What You'll Learn
Use baking soda to absorb the stain
Baking soda is an alkaline substance, and when it comes into contact with acidic odors, it reacts to neutralize them. This chemical reaction between the baking soda and the acid neutralizes or produces a less odorous compound. The change in pH helps eliminate the smell. It is also a versatile household item known for its cleaning and deodorizing properties. It is a powerful yet gentle cleaning agent that offers numerous benefits for cleaning couch cushions and other household items.
To get rid of a perfume stain on your couch, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda evenly over the couch cushions. Make sure to spread it generously and evenly over the entire surface of the couch and on both sides of each cushion. Work the baking soda powder gently into the fabric with an upholstery cleaning brush or any other clean, soft-bristled brush. To avoid damaging the upholstery, do not use a stiff-bristled brush or brush it against the fabric’s grain.
Allow the baking soda to rest and absorb the perfume odor for at least 15 minutes to an hour. If the odor is abnormally strong, you might need to wait longer. You can also create a baking soda paste by mixing a few tablespoons of baking soda with water and applying it directly to the stain. After the baking soda has had time to work, blot the stained areas with a damp cloth to remove the paste and the stain.
Using a handheld vacuum or a vacuum cleaner with its upholstery attachment, meticulously vacuum up all the baking soda powder from the entire surface of the couch and cushions. Then, replace the cushions in their original positions. Repeat these steps after 24 hours if the perfume smell remains.
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Mist the couch with vinegar
To get a perfume stain out of your couch, misting the affected area with vinegar is a highly effective method. Firstly, locate the source of the perfume stain. If the cushions have zip covers, remove them and launder in the washing machine with a bleach-free detergent mixed with one cup of white vinegar. If the cushions do not have removable covers, you can try misting them with vinegar.
Before misting the couch with vinegar, do a quick spot check by spraying a hidden area to ensure the vinegar solution does not damage the fabric. Fill a spray bottle halfway with distilled white vinegar and top up with cool water. Mist the couch with the vinegar-water solution, ensuring you are about a foot away so as not to oversaturate the fabric. The vinegar smell will be strong, but it will dissipate as the vinegar dries. It is the vinegar's drying process that lifts and removes odour particles.
If the perfume stain is particularly stubborn, you can try rubbing the vinegar-water solution directly onto the affected area. You can also try dampening a sponge with vinegar and blotting it over the stain. Allow the area to dry and repeat until the odour is removed.
White vinegar is an inexpensive, natural antibacterial that will kill smells and bacteria. It contains 5% acetic acid, an organic compound that is highly effective at fighting dirt and grime and effective against some pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella.
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Vacuum the couch
To get a perfume stain out of your couch, you'll first want to identify the source of the smell. If the smell is not from a stain, you'll want to find where the smell is coming from. It could be something that has fallen in between the couch cushions, such as crumbs, spare change, or pet hair, which could be causing the smell.
Once you've found the problem area, it's time to vacuum the couch thoroughly. Start by removing all of the cushions, cushion covers, and pillows. Vacuum couch crevices, as well as underneath and behind the couch to start with a clean slate. Pay attention to corners and cracks. Pull out the seat cushions, if possible, to vacuum underneath them. Most vacuums have a fabric attachment, which is either a rectangular or circular bristle head. Some vacuums also have a separate hairbrush attachment, which helps pick up pet and human hair. This allows you to vacuum the cushions and armrests with ease. You can also use this attachment or a longer head to get in between the seat cushions. You should vacuum your couch at least once per week.
If the perfume stain is recent, you can try to remove the excess liquid by placing an old rag or stack of paper towels on the spot and pushing down with force. If one towel gets soaked, switch to a new one. If possible, remove the cushion, place the rag on top, and step on the cushion for extra force. This will help transfer the liquid from the couch to the rag before it gets the chance to stain. If the stain isn’t recent, you may need an upholstery stain remover. Make sure you use a bleach-free stain remover to avoid damaging the fabric.
If the perfume smell is strong and won't come out, you can try sprinkling baking soda generously on the cushions, in crevices, and especially on areas with a stain. Give the baking soda some time to work (about an hour or so), then vacuum up the remains. If the odor persists, repeat vacuuming and sprinkling baking soda onto the affected areas.
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Use an upholstery stain remover
If the perfume stain on your couch is old and set-in, you may need to use an upholstery stain remover to get it out. Before you begin, check your upholstery cleaning codes to determine the best way to tackle the stain. Some pieces can be cleaned with water, while others will require a solvent. If your couch doesn't have a cleaning code, which is often the case with vintage or antique furniture, do a patch test on a hidden area of the upholstery.
There are several upholstery stain removers available on the market that can help remove stubborn stains without damaging the fabric. For example, Woolite's Instaclean stain remover contains ingredients that penetrate and dissolve stains on contact. Its formula is EPA Safer Choice certified and acts like a fabric-safe bleach, removing coloured stains like tomato sauce, coffee, and fruit juice. After applying it to the stain, let it sit for a minute, then blot. It's important to test Woolite's Instaclean on a hidden spot before treating the stain, and it should never be used on silk, velvet, vinyl, or leather upholstery.
If your couch is outdoors, you can try a stain remover formulated for outdoor cushions and fabric coverings. This type of stain remover goes on wet and turns into a white powder as it dries, which can then be vacuumed or brushed away.
When using any upholstery stain remover, always follow the instructions on the product label and test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the couch before applying it to the stain. Repeat the process until the stain is removed, then blot the area with a clean cloth to remove any excess moisture.
Remember, it's always a good idea to vacuum your couch regularly to keep the fabric in good shape and prevent dust and crumbs from settling into the upholstery. Vacuuming should be the first step in dealing with any kind of stain, as it helps to remove loose particles and gives you a better understanding of the extent of the stain.
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Wash cushion covers in the washing machine
If your cushion covers have a zip and are washable, the best way to get a perfume stain out of them is to wash them in the washing machine. Firstly, scrape any remaining perfume residue off the upholstery with a blunt knife. Wipe the knife with a paper towel after each swipe and keep doing this until you have removed as much of the stain as possible. Next, sprinkle baking soda over the remaining stain to cover it completely. Leave the baking soda for at least 20 minutes to absorb the perfume. Use a hand vacuum to remove the baking soda from the cushion cover.
Now you can put the cushion covers into the washing machine. Wash them in cool water to avoid shrinking or discolouration. Use a regular, bleach-free detergent mixed with one cup of white vinegar to help remove the perfume odour. Once the cycle is complete, take the covers out and allow them to air dry.
If the covers still smell of perfume, repeat the process. You can also try sprinkling baking soda generously on the inside of the covers and leaving it for an hour or so, then vacuuming up the remains.
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Frequently asked questions
Use an old rag or stack of paper towels to blot the stain, applying force to absorb as much liquid as possible. If the cushion cover can be removed, do so, and launder it in cool water with a bleach-free detergent and a cup of white vinegar.
Try placing an old rag on top of the cushion and stepping on it to apply extra force to absorb the liquid.
You may need to use an upholstery stain remover. Make sure it's bleach-free to avoid damaging the fabric. If this doesn't work, you may need to call a professional to spot clean the sofa.
Sprinkle baking soda generously on the cushions, crevices, and stained areas, leaving it for about an hour before vacuuming it up. Repeat if necessary. You can also try placing bowls of charcoal or opening a window to air out the room.
Regularly vacuum your couch, including the cushions, crevices, and underneath. You can also use an absorbent material like a towel, talcum powder, or cornstarch to protect your couch from natural body oils, perfume, and makeup transfer.
