A glass with condensation, a spilled juice or a glass of wine can leave a ring on the armchair in a matter of seconds. The good news: on a quality outdoor fabric, most of these stains come out with water, mild soap and a little patience. These five tricks work for upholstered armchairs, sofas and cushions.
1. Blot, don't rub
As soon as the spill happens, press with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove the excess liquid. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fabric and enlarges the edge; blotting lifts it out. Switch to a clean side of the cloth when it gets damp.
2. Warm water and mild soap
Mix a quarter cup (about 60 ml) of mild soap per gallon (about 3.8 liters) of warm water. With a sponge or a soft-bristle brush, work the stain from the outside in so it doesn't spread, and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Rinse well
Remove all the soap with clean water: residue attracts dirt and can leave a new ring where the stain was. Blot the excess water with a dry cloth, again without rubbing.
4. White vinegar for stubborn rings
If the stain has already dried or left a ring, apply a mix of water with a little white vinegar using a cloth, let it sit for a minute or two and rinse with clean water. Always test first on an inconspicuous area. It's the same trick we recommend in our Care Tips.
5. Air-dry and check before repeating
Let the fabric air-dry, without a hair dryer or direct heat. Some stains seem to still be there while the fabric is damp, so judge the result once it's dry. If a trace remains, repeat the process instead of scrubbing harder.
What to avoid
Undiluted chlorine. It can damage the fabric.
Hard brushes and abrasive products. They wear down the surface and can leave marks.
Direct heat. A hair dryer or an iron can set the stain.
Better to prevent
A coaster or a side table within reach prevents half of all rings. And if your upholstery is a light shade, these steps work for you too: here we tell you about the advantages of a light-colored sofa.
These instructions apply to outdoor fabrics like Sunbrella®, which we use on many of our pieces. If yours has a different fabric, write to us and we'll tell you how to care for it.
Meet our armchairs and sofas
Browse the armchairs and the modular sofas, or review our materials guide. If you have a stain that won't come out, message us on WhatsApp.