Kunuk asked, “Anybody know how to get dip stain out of a fabric couch?”
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Accidents happen, and sometimes the dip package or spit cup spills, leaving a mess and a stain. Use the steps below to clean up the spill and any stain that is left. It is easiest to remove the stain when it is fresh, however the methods below can remove older tobacco stains as well.
Removing the Tobacco Stain
You Will Need:
- A dustpan and brush
- A spoon
- Paper towels
- Dish liquid
- A cloth
- Enzyme digester
- Non-gel shaving cream
- An old toothbrush
- Rubbing alcohol
- Methylated spirits
Steps to Remove the Tobacco Stain:
- If the tobacco is unused (still in powder form), use a dustpan and brush to sweep up the spill. Try not to grind the pieces into the carpet fibers.
- If the tobacco is from a dip cup spill, scoop up any solids with a spoon or dustpan, then blot up as much liquid as possible with paper towels. Try not to grind the tobacco into the carpet fibers as you clean. Once the mess is removed, use one of the stain treatment methods in the steps below.
- Stir 1 tablespoon of dish liquid in 2 cups cold water. Blot the solution onto the stain with a cloth. Let it soak for about half an hour, then blot up the excess liquid. When the stain is removed, dab the area with cool water and blot dry.¹
- Apply an enzyme digester, such as a pet accident cleaner, to the stain. Follow the directions on the label.²
- Apply a small amount of non-gel shaving cream onto the stain and use an old toothbrush to gently rub the shaving cream into the stain. Wipe off any excess, then rinse the area with a wet cloth or sponge.³
- Tobacco stains can also be removed with rubbing alcohol. Apply the alcohol to a cloth and blot the stain until it is removed. Rinse the area with a wet cloth to remove any residue from the cleaning solution and blot the area dry.
- Moisten a cloth with methylated spirits and blot the stain with the cloth. When the stain is removed, rinse the area with water and blot dry.³
Additional Tips and Advice
- White vinegar is often used for removing stains from tobacco smoke stains from a variety of surfaces, as well as for removing the tobacco smell. It is worth trying on a dipping tobacco stain as well. Use a mixture of 1 part vinegar in 3 parts water.
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Sources
- Stain Rescue! by Anne Marie Soto
- Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson
- Stain Removal by Stephanie Zia
I rented my apartment and requested no smoking inside. They lived there 2 years and now (from their smoking) my sofa and chair are discolored with smoke stains. How do I clean them?
Hi Priscilla,
The steps above shoud work to remove the discoloration, however, since you have two chairs that you want completely cleaned rather than spot cleaned, a faster method may be to use an extraction machine (for example, a Rug Doctor machine can be rented that has an upholstery attachment). If you don’t want to do the cleaning yourself, most carpet cleaning companies offer the option of cleaning a chair as well. They will likely use an enzyme cleaner to remove the stains. Good luck!