If items tend to sit in a corner of your home collecting dust for weeks or months at a time, it’s time to clear the clutter—for good.
16.07.2024 - 17:24 / thespruce.com / Barbara Bellesi Zito
So you’ve hit the jackpot at the thrift store and found the vintage sofa of your dreams at a deep discount. But then you spot something that could turn this scene into a nightmare—an ugly stain on the fabric that looks at least half as old as the furniture itself.
With a bit of patience and the right cleaning technique, there’s an excellent chance you can remove the stain, revive the fabric, and enjoy your “new” furniture for years to come. Below, we're sharing six foolproof ways to remove stains from thrifted store finds.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
Your success in removing stains from thrifted furniture will largely depend on knowing what the stain and fabric are made from, Clint Collins, the owner of HFR Furniture Rental & Sales, says. For example, an oil-based stain on satin will need to be treated differently than a dye-based stain on suede, he says.
Here’s what he suggests for tackling some common stains:
If you’re in luck and the care label is still attached, follow it to the letter. You could also ask the thrift shop sales associate if they know the backstory on the stain. Otherwise, a gentle approach is always recommended.
Collins suggests pre-treating any stain by dabbing or blotting it with a white cloth or rag which will help extract any surface-level stain. It will also help you better see what the source of the stain is if you're not entirely sure.
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If the stains are on removable covers, Passalacqua says it might be as easy as tossing them into the wash on a gentle cycle using a mild detergent. But for non-removable fabric, he recommends diluting a gentle upholstery cleaner with
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