What’s Staining Your Sofa? 4 Unexpected Reasons and How to Prevent Them
La-Z-Boy Southeast | May 16, 2024
Have you had a mysterious sofa stain appear despite your best efforts and appropriate prevention methods?
Or have you ever just wondered why some furniture is prone to stains?
Sometimes, the culprits are hiding in plain sight. When it comes to keeping your furniture looking fresh and pristine, you may think you have all the bases covered.
You may know the common causes of furniture stains caused by pet, kids, or food & drinks, but did you know that some everyday items lurking in your home can silently wreak havoc on your favorite furniture?
At La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor, our expert team knows all the tips and tricks for not only identifying the causes but also for preventing future stains from happening.
In this article, we’ll address four surprising, yet common reasons your furniture might be getting stained, along with tips on how to prevent them.
Sofa Stain Reason # 1: Oils & Creams
Your favorite seat can bear the brunt of your beauty routine as hair products like sprays, gels, or mousse contain oils and dyes that readily transfer to upholstery.
Additionally, be mindful of the greasy residues from items such as sunscreen and lotions.
The liquids and oils that make up these products can weaken the structure of fabrics and leathers which allows for moisture to seep into the fibers and become trapped. This will cause it to be more susceptible to stains that will become more prominent over time.
While one of the most durable covers available, leather is porous. This allows it to breathe and maintain flexibility. Excess moisture can lead to a loss in its strength and durability in addition to stains.
To prevent this, consider covering your furniture with a towel while these products are set in place or waiting to sit until you’ve had time to absorb them.
It’s also important to continuously clean and care for your furniture, which will remove leftover residue. Read this article for best practices on cleaning your furniture.
Sofa Stain Culprit # 2: Medical Conditions or Medications
Similar to beauty products, our bodies also naturally secrete oils and fluids.
Certain medical conditions and medications can amplify the moisture our furniture is exposed to.
Some common causes may be infections, hormonal imbalances or diabetes. Side effects from medications may also cause excessive sweating or oily skin.
If you plan to sit on your furniture for long periods, consider adding a layer of protection such as a blanket or sheet.
Routine cleaning will also help with the prevention of these kinds of stains.
Sofa Stain Culprit #3: Clothing
Your wardrobe choices could be contributing to your furniture stains.
Dyes from new clothing items, especially jeans or brightly colored garments, can transfer onto upholstery when you sit or lean against them.
To prevent this, wash new clothes before wearing them and avoid sitting on furniture with wet or damp clothing.
Sofa Stain Culprit #4: Direct Sunlight
While natural light can brighten up a room, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can damage your furniture.
UV rays can fade fabric colors and weaken upholstery fibers over time.
To safeguard your furniture, consider using curtains or blinds to block direct sunlight. You may also want to opt for a location in the room that keeps your furniture out of the direct exposure.
Working with an interior designer can help you overcome this obstacle.
At La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor, our degreed Interior Designers are trained to help you think through the best locations for your furniture and all of the life that happens in your room.
How to Avoid Future Sofa Stains When Buying New Furniture
If you’re in the market for new furniture, there are steps you can take that will keep you from scrambling for solutions in the future. These will save you time, money and frustrations in the long-haul.
1. Durable Fabric
Microfiber, cotton, and linen are among some of the most durable furniture fabrics.
Leather is also extremely durable and built to withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Read this article to learn more about the most durable furniture fabrics.
2. Pre-Treated Fabric
The best way to put your mind at ease is to prevent stains before they even happen.
There are stain-resistant treatments that can be applied to most upholstery.
When shopping for furniture, ask your consultant to show you what options are available and how pre-treatment options are applied.
3. Fabric Protection & Treatment Plan
With a customized treatment plan and warranty, you have the added help of professionals in the instance a tough-to-conquer sofa stain does happen.
At La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor, we know life happens. We work with you to prepare you for these instances by reviewing protection plans and additional treatment options.
Ease Your Mind and Protect Your Furniture
Understanding the unexpected reasons behind furniture stains is the first step towards preventing them.
By implementing simple preventative measures like covering furniture, using protective covers, or adjusting your daily habits, you can keep your furniture looking fresh and stain-free for years to come.
When buying new furniture, look for durable fabric and protection plans that can also help you.
At La-Z-Boy, we know we can’t always prevent stains from happening, but we can put your mind at ease.
We’d be happy to help you customize your new furniture at any of our locations in NC, SC, and GA.
