Sofas, armchairs, pouffes, padded chairs and kitchen benches are used every day, so stains appear on them regularly. Red wine, mascara, ketchup, chocolate and lipstick cause the most trouble.
The general rule for every stain: act as quickly as possible, blot rather than rub, and always test the product on a hidden area of the upholstery. Below you will find a solution for each type of stain.
What you will need
Important: Test WD-40 and any other product on a hidden part of the upholstery, such as the back or under a cushion. Do not use it on genuine leather, velvet or silk without testing first. Clean with a damp, not wet, sponge so you do not soak the padding.
Step 1
Red wine
Blot the excess straight away with a paper towel and cover the stain with salt or baking soda. After a few minutes, remove the powder and go over the area with a slightly damp sponge.
If you only find the stain the next day, spray a little WD-40 Multi-Use onto it and wait a few minutes. Then clean it with a sponge dipped in warm water with laundry soap. Do not overdo the WD-40, so the soapy water can easily remove the greasy film.
Step 2
Mascara
Mascara marks often appear after an afternoon nap on the sofa. Spray WD-40 onto the stain; for a small spot, precise application through the WD-40 Smart Straw is easier.
Blot with a cloth or sponge until the colour transfers, then wipe the area with a cloth dampened in water with a little detergent.
Step 3
Ketchup and tomato sauce
Lift the excess sauce with kitchen paper without smearing it. Apply a little WD-40 to the stain, wait a minute, then rub the area with a dry cloth.
Finally, wipe it with a damp cloth and laundry soap to remove any tomato and product residue.
Step 4
Chocolate
A fresh stain on a removable cover can be soaked in milk and washed. On fixed upholstery, WD-40 helps because it dissolves the fats that make up a chocolate stain.
Apply a little, wait a few minutes, blot with a cloth and clean the area with a sponge and soapy water.
Step 5
Lipstick
Lipstick on a sofa cushion or chair seat, especially after children have raided the make-up bag, also responds to WD-40. Spray lightly onto the stain: it penetrates and loosens the colour's grip on the fabric.
Blot with a microfibre cloth from the edges to the centre until the mark has gone.
Step 6
Final clean and drying
After any WD-40 treatment, go over the area with a sponge, warm water and laundry soap, then with a dry cloth. Let the upholstery dry at room temperature, without a hairdryer or heater, before sitting on it.
Tip: A fresh stain is many times easier to remove than an old one, so keep paper towels and a can of WD-40 within reach. In summer, with windows open, dust sticks more readily to damp upholstery, so let it dry completely.
What next
Vacuum upholstered furniture weekly and treat stains as soon as you notice them. WD-40 Multi-Use is also useful for squeaky sofa bed and recliner mechanisms.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».