Christina said, “I have a light burn mark on my canvas sofa…do you have any tips I could try? Thank you.”
If the burn mark on your upholstery is similar to a scuff or scorch mark, you may be able to clean it away. Select a method below to remove the stain, and if needed, keep trying different methods until the stain is removed. If the burn has created a hole in the fabric, use The Patch Method.
The Glycerin Method¹
This is a great method to start with as it can help to loosen the burn stain for other methods if not fully remove the stain itself.
You Will Need:
- Vegetable glycerin
- Water
- A cloth
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- Combine equal amounts of liquid vegetable glycerin and water.
- Sponge the mixture onto the stain with a cloth.
- Leave the glycerin on the stain for a couple hours.
- Blot up the glycerin with a dry cloth, then sponge the area with water to rinse.
The Borax Method¹
This method is commonly recommended as a treatment for burn marks on upholstery and should work well by itself or after the glycerin method.
You Will Need:
- Borax
- Water
- A cloth
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- Combine 1 tablespoon of borax with 2 cups of warm water.
- Sponge the solution onto the stain with a cloth.
- Blot the area with a dry cloth to remove the solution.
- Sponge the area with plain water to rinse and pat dry again.
The Baking Soda Method²
This method works particularly well on silk. You can start with this method on any fabric type though if preferred, or try using it after one of the other methods.
You Will Need:
- Baking soda
- Water
- A vacuum
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- Combine the baking soda and water to make a paste.
- Rub the paste into the burn mark.
- Allow the paste to dry, then vacuum it up.
- Sponge the area with a damp cloth to rinse, then vacuum the area again to remove any remaining residue.
The Peroxide Method³
As peroxide can have an adverse effect on some types of fabrics, be sure to test it on a small, hidden area of the upholstery first. In many cases it’s fine, but it’s always better to test first just in case.
You Will Need:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Water
- A cloth
- An iron
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- Make a 1:3 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water.
- Test the peroxide on a small, hidden location on the upholstery first to look for any color fading or bleeding.
- If safe, pour some peroxide on a cloth, then wring the cloth out so it is only damp, not dripping.
- Lay the dampened area of the cloth over the stain.
- Run an iron on medium heat over the cloth several times, being careful not to let the iron touch the bare upholstery.
When the stain is gone, sponge the area with water to rinse, then pat dry.
The Patch Method²
Use this method if there is a hole in the fabric from the burn.
You Will Need:
- Nail scissors
- Fabric glue
- Wax paper
- A book
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- Use nail scissors to cut off the burned edges of the hole.
- Cut a small piece of fabric from the bottom of the chair or couch for a patch.
- Carefully stick the patch through the hole so that it’s behind the hole, and dab fabric glue along the inner edge of the hole to hold the patch in place.
- Lay a piece of wax paper over the hole and set a book on the wax paper to be a weight as the fabric glue dries.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Lightly filing burn marks with a nail file can sometimes remove the mark. Be careful not to file too much though or you may damage the fabric.⁴
Sources
- 101 Essential Tips: Removing Stains by Cassandra Kent
- The Spot and Stain Remover Handbook by Jean Cooper
- How the Queen Cleans Everything! by Linda Cobb
- Field Guide to Stains by Virginia M. Friedman, Melissa Wagner, and Nancy Armstrong
My carpet was burnt when my iron fell on it. It was there barely a second but the burn patch is quite dark. The colours still show through. I think the carpet probably has man made fibre in it, possibly polyester.