How to prevent body oil stains on furniture

Stains and spills are easy to spot on furniture. It’s the invisible sweat stains and accumulation of body oils that can slowly wreak irreparable havoc on your cherished sofa regardless whether its upholstered in fabric or leather.

With a reverence for regular maintenance and some clever fabric choices though, you don’t have to sacrifice any upholstery to body oils anymore. Just follow these tips to stay on the clean side of lounging!

1. Choose stain-resistant fabrics

Increase your odds of your upholstered furniture lasting the years when you choose the right foundational elements. 

✔️Synthetic fabrics and blends are less absorbent than natural fibres like cotton or linen. A fabric that incorporates polyester or microfibre can also more effectively repel liquids and oils.

✔️A tight weave can prevent body oils from seeping into the fabric, making it easier to clean.

✔️Darker upholstery colours better conceal stains and discolouration that can occur from body oils. Lighter-toned upholstery can show stains more visibly.

✔️Choose fabrics that are treated to increase stain resistance. Blafink carries a selection of AquaClean fabrics, popular for their finishing that helps repel liquids, including body oils.

2. Spot clean and vacuum regularly

The key to protecting your upholstered furniture from body oils is regular maintenance. Beyond using throws or slipcovers to mitigate the transfer of body oils onto your upholstery fabric, never underestimate the power of the good ol’ vacuum cleaner and baby wipes! 

Our golden guidelines include:

✔️Vacuum weekly, making sure to get between all the nooks and crannies. Use an attachment (the long and narrow one) that can get between the back and seat cushion, and between seat and arm. Use a soft bristle if you have velvet upholstery to brush out brushed nap.

✔️Spot clean visible stains and spills immediately with baby wipes, which are strong enough to rid dirt and spots, but gentle enough to not break yarns in your fabric. Look for baby wipes sans harsh chemical and alcohol, like Cloversoft Baby Wipes. 

🚫Never wash your cushion inserts in the washing machine. This can result in shrinkage, discolouration, and misshapen cushions.

3. Invest in deep cleaning

There’s nothing like a professional deep clean to get your upholstery looking and smelling like ~almost~ new. Schedule an annual appointment OR for the price of 1 deep cleaning service, get your own device and clean to your heart’s delight.

We can personally attest to the efficacy of the Bissell SpotClean Pro, which is particularly useful if you have AquaClean upholstery, that can be deep cleaned just with water. It’s small but motors loudly, so get your pets and kids out of the way before busting it out.  

Related: How to prevent sun damage on your furniture