Your once pristine couch, the centerpiece of your living room, has fallen victim to an unfortunate accident: an oil spill. Whether it was a cooking mishap or an innocent slip of the hand, the resulting oil stain now mars the beauty of your beloved upholstery.
Coconut oil stains are one of the most notorious and challenging stains to extract from upholstery. However, the good news is that you can take a few simple steps to remove oil stains from upholstery. With some effort and patience, you can turn your furniture to look new again.
In this derailed cleaning guide, I will share my personal experience on cleaning coconut oil and teach you how to get coconut oil out of couch. I will also discuss some preventive measures you can take to keep your furniture oil-free. Read on to learn!
Can Coconut Oil Stain a Couch?
Yes, coconut oil has the potential to stain a couch, although it may not always do so. When spilled on upholstery, coconut oil can permeate the fabric and create a visible dark spot. The stretch of staining relies on the period the oil remains on the couch.
If the coconut oil is promptly addressed and cleaned off the couch, there shouldn’t be a lasting issue. Acting swiftly is crucial in preventing a stain from setting in. Fortunately, there are usually readily available household items that can be used to tackle the problem.
How to Get Coconut Oil Out of Couch?
Recently, my mom was massaging my head with coconut oil while sitting on our read-colored couch. Suddenly, my cat jumps on the couch, spilling coconut oil on the upholstery. Although it wasn’t a good thing in the beginning, I was able to remove the stains in the end.
Let me ask you one thing: what would I have discovered from this event? You may say not to massage the head while sitting on the couch, but my answer is a bit different. I have learned how to get coconut oil out of the couch, and I will teach you the same with the help of the following steps.
[su_note note_color=”#f8d3d2″]Note: The following method is for recently spilled coconut oil which is still in liquid form. If it’s dried for your case, go to the next section, which is about removing dried coconut oil.[/su_note]
Gather The Following Materials & Items.
First of all, you should start with getting all the required materials and items under your reach before starting the process. This saves a lot of time and gives you a clutter-free playground to start your DIY project.
You will require the following:
- Tissues or kitchen paper
- Baking soda or cornstarch
- Vacuum cleaner
- Dish detergent
- Lukewarm water
- Clean rag/ cloth
Blot Up Excessive Oil With a Clean, Dry Cloth.
After spilling the coconut oil, immediately blot up the maximum oil possible with a clean, dry cloth. I suggest sticking to blotting the stain, not rubbing, it will only spread the oil and make it harder to remove. Blot up to no more oil visible on the cloth.
Sprinkle Cornstarch or Baking Soda On the Stained Area.
Even if you have blotted the area, there must be some unseen oil remaining on the fabric. Therefore, sprinkle the stained area with cornstarch or baking soda to absorb the remaining oil
Fact: Cornstarch and baking soda are both absorbent materials that can aid in soaking up oil.
Sprinkle the cornstarch or baking soda over the stained area until completely covered. Once the stain is covered properly, let the baking soda or cornstarch sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
[su_note note_color=”#dcf8d2″]Tip: Suppose you have a couch with brighter color or dark upholstery. In such a case, use cornstarch to avoid color stripping instead of baking soda when tackling coconut oil stains on dark or colored fabrics. [/su_note]
Vacuum Up the Cornstarch or Baking Soda.
Once the cornstarch or baking soda has had time to absorb the oil, vacuum it up. However, be sure to vacuum up all of the baking soda or cornstarch, as any residue can leave a white mark on the upholstery.
Prepare a Cleaning Solution of Soap & Warm Water.
Pick warm water and mild dish soap. Mix a few drops of the mild dish soap in the warm water and thoroughly stuff it with a spare spoon or something like that to make a soapy cleaning solution.
[su_note note_color=”#f8d3d2″]Note: I said warm, not hot. Always check the maximum temperature the upholstery can bear and keep the water’s temperature below that limit. [/su_note]
Dampen a Clean Cloth and Blot the Stained Area.
Dampen a clean cloth with the soapy solution you created in the previous steps with warm water and mild dish soap. Blot the stained area with the damp cloth, performing from the stain’s outside towards the center.
[su_note note_color=”#f8d3d2″]Note: As I told you earlier, be sure to blot, not rub, the stain or the stained area. Do the same when following this step. [/su_note]
Rinse the Cloth With Clean Water and Blot Again.
Once you have blotted the stained area with the soapy solution, the next step is getting it out, as we don’t want it to look unclean. Therefore, bathe the cloth with clean water and blot the stained area again to remove any soap residue from the surface.
[su_note note_color=”#f8d3d2″]Note: Once the area is cleaned, the stain should be gone. However, if the stain is still visible, I suggest you repeat blotting the stained area with a cleaning solution and rinsing it with clean water until it is gone.[/su_note]
Let the Area Air Dry Completely.
Once you have removed the spills and the stains, the next step is to let the couch air dry. Remember, I don’t suggest using hair dryers or some sort of blower to dry the cleaned areas.
Instead, I recommend leaving the couch in the open air for a while until everything is dried out. Avoid sitting on the couch or especially the cleaned area until it is dried completely.
How to Get Dried Coconut Oil Out of Couch?
Suppose you have left the spilled coconut oil untreated for a while, and now, it’s dried on the couch. What to do next? How to get dried coconut oil out of the couch? To do so, keep following the steps I have discussed.
Collect The Following Things & Items
To get rid of the dried coconut oil stains, you will require the following things:
- WD40
- A clean, old toothbrush
- Baking soda or cornstarch
- Dishwashing detergent
- Clean rag/ cloth
Apply WD-40 to the Dried Stains On the Couch.
Apply WD-40 to the dried stains on the couch to help reactivate the fatty residue in the stain and make it easier to remove.
Sprinkle Baking Soda Over the WD-40 Treated Area.
Sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda over each treated area with WD-40. Use an old clean toothbrush to work the powder into the WD-40 and stain mixture. The powder will raise the WD-40 and reactivate oil fragments, forming clumps.
[su_note note_color=”#f8d3d2″]Note: Different upholsteries require different procedures to remove the coconut oil. Ensure to check the next section in this guide to learn about safe products and alternatives to baking soda to clean certain upholsteries. [/su_note]
Keep Adding the Baking Soda and Rubbing It.
Continue adding baking soda and rubbing it with the toothbrush. The clumps will gradually become larger. Shake off the excess powder and go to the next stain.
Repeat this process for all the stained areas you want to treat, periodically shaking off the baking soda to identify remaining stains.
Keep working on the stains until the clumps become smaller. This may require patience and time. Once the baking soda stops clumping as much, it indicates that it has lifted the WD-40.
Put Dish Wash Soap in Stained Areas.
Add one or two drops of dish wash soap to each stained area and use the toothbrush to rub it in. Allow the detergent to soak into the stains for approximately 15 minutes.
Blot the Couch Using Rinsed Cloth and Let It Dry.
Rinse a cloth with clean water and use it to blot the stained areas, removing any soap residue from the upholstery. After successfully removing the spills and stains, allow the couch to air dry.
Remember, do not use hair dryers or blowers, as letting the cleaned areas dry naturally is best. Leave the couch in an open-air environment until the concerned areas are thoroughly dried out.
How to Remove Oil Stains From Different Upholstery?
As a wide variety of materials are used in couches, removing stains without causing permanent damage to the fabric can be challenging. Therefore, I have discussed different types of upholsteries and the effective way to remove oil stains.
Suede
When on suede, a highly delicate fabric, I always recommend taking swift action to successfully remove stains. If dealing with solid coconut oil, it’s best to address it before it melts. You can take off the coconut oil from the suede the following way.
- Apply baby powder or cornstarch directly onto the stain and allow it to be there for at least 2 hours.
- The powder will soak up the oil, and you will notice a color change as it does so.
- Use a soft brush to remove the powder from the suede, ensuring the brush is gentle to avoid damaging the material.
- Rerun the procedure until the powder no longer alters color, indicating that all the oil has been absorbed.
- Allow the suede to air dry naturally, avoiding exposure to heat or sunlight that could harm the fabric.
Leather
For your information, while leather is relatively durable, it still requires careful handling to avoid damage. Therefore, when I deal with leather, I typically employ similar stain removal methods as with fabrics.
However, instead of using baking soda, I always substitute it with cornstarch to treat the stains. This is because the cornstarch isn’t that caustic, so it reduces the chances of damaging the leather.
Well, that said, the following are the steps to clean a leather couch to get rid of the coconut oil stains.
- Use a tissue to blot any excess oil from the leather.
- Employ cornstarch to the concerned area with stains and permit it to sit overnight, absorbing the oil.
- Remove the cornstarch by gently rubbing a damp cloth with distilled white vinegar over the affected area.
- Continue to rub until the cornstarch is lifted and the stain is gone.
Wood
When I accidentally spill liquid oil on wood, I always take prompt action. This is because the coconut oil stains on wood can be effectively eliminated by promptly blotting the affected area with a tissue or a similar absorbent material.
However, suppose you haven’t taken any measures, and the coconut oil is not stuck on the wood. In such a case, you can do these steps to get rid of the oil stains.
- Create a blend of dish soap and water.
- Apply the soapy water to the stain and gently scrub with a brush until the oil is lifted.
- Mop away the soapy water with a soft, dry cloth.
- Allow the wood to air dry naturally.
What Are Other Cleaning Solution Options?
Although I mentioned dish wash soap in this guide, several alternative cleaning solutions are available when tackling coconut oil stains. I typically use the following alternatives if there is no dish soap available.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a well-known stain remover but should be avoided on carpets. It has the potential to melt or dissolve certain carpet backings. Therefore, opt for other methods when dealing with coconut oil stains on carpets.
Vinegar
If you use vinegar, ensure it is distilled white wine vinegar. Remember that vinegar is acidic and may bleach certain fabrics. Exercise caution and avoid using it on delicate fabrics that could be damaged by its properties.
Commercial Stain Remover Solutions
Many stores offer commercial stain remover solutions specifically formulated for use on carpets. These solutions are designed to be safe for carpet fibers.
However, ensure that the product is child and pet-friendly to prevent potential harm. It is also advisable to check the compatibility of the stain remover with your specific carpet material to avoid any damage.
FAQs
Does Coconut Oil Stain Sheets?
Coconut oil can potentially stain sheets, especially if left untreated for an extended period. Prompt action and proper stain removal techniques are recommended to minimize the chances of staining.
Will Coconut Oil Stain My Pillow?
Similar to sheets, coconut oil can stain pillows if not addressed promptly. It is important to take immediate action and follow appropriate stain removal methods to prevent any potential staining.
How Do You Remove Coconut Oil from Carpet?
To remove coconut oil from the carpet, follow these steps:
✔ Act quickly to remove excess oil. If the coconut oil is in liquid form, use a spoon or absorbent material to scrape or blot away the excess oil.
✔ Dap the stain gently with a towel. Avoid scrubbing; it can push the oil deeper into the carpet fibers. Continue blotting until no more liquid appears on the cloth.
✔ Apply baking soda to the stained area. Sprinkle baking soda over the oil stain, allowing it to be there for almost 15 minutes. Then, either scoop up the baking soda or vacuum it away.
✔ Prepare a cleaning solution using liquid dishwashing detergent. Mix one tablespoon of clear dish detergent with two cups of warm water in a spray bottle.
Does Baking Soda Absorb Oil from Carpet?
Yes, baking soda is effective in absorbing oil from carpets. Sprinkling baking soda over the oil stain and letting it be there for some time helps absorb the oil. Vacuum it and use the appropriate cleaning solution to clean the coil effectively.
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