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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Stain on sofa I'm really cross

143 replies

Lotsnlotsoflove · 06/11/2025 18:48

I have recently (in the last 6 months) moved into a new house and renovated it. I've been really pleased with the design and finish and I really enjoy being in this space I have carefully curated. Being in a nice space is important to me and this is my home. Recently, my MiL has come to live with us due to some difficult circumstances, including the death of my FiL. In general, she is helpful and no problem to have around. Anyway, the crux of this post is that today she managed to get a huge ink stain on my beautiful velvet sofa and it is not removable or a fixable stain. I am really upset, it has ruined the item of furniture, and we cannot afford to replace it. MiL is in tears, and DH is cross with me, saying I just need to suck it up, as it was an accident. MiL is not in a position to replace it either. I have told him I am going to buy another sofa on my credit card, and we won't have a holiday next year. Now we aren't speaking. AIBU?

OP posts:
RubySquid · 06/11/2025 19:56

FourIsNewSix · 06/11/2025 19:20

Can't you replace just a piece of it or use a sofa cover?

Getting a sofa which has to become completely replaced at each stain sounds like a sure way to be upset.

This. I'm so thankful for my dark leather sofa. None of this kind of thing to stress over

Scarlettpixie · 06/11/2025 19:55

And why don't you have content's insurance with accidental damage cover if your home is 'carefully curated'?

Presuming you don't as you are so upset.

Newmeagain · 06/11/2025 19:54

I would be annoyed/upset but it’s not ok that your MIL is crying. Sounds like she is already in a bad place and now probably feels really alone and unwelcome.

Scarlettpixie · 06/11/2025 19:54

HouseofDreams · 06/11/2025 19:45

YANBU to be upset about the stain
YABU to make an old lady feel terrible for an accident

This.

northern2025 · 06/11/2025 19:53

ThisCanFuckOffToo · 06/11/2025 19:43

“Carefully curated” is the wankiest term I’ve ever heard. You’ve bought stuff you liked, that’s all.

Yanbu to be upset but unless your MIL spitefully rubbed ink on your sofa to piss you off then YABU.

Have you tried everything? I’ve got a velvet sofa and it is indestructible.

(edited, LIKED not KILLED, lol 😂)

Edited

Absolutely agree the OP sounds ghastly

Happyjoe · 06/11/2025 19:51

I actually feel sorry for MIL, if she is in tears. She won't have done it on purpose and will be feeling dreadful without being told off.
It's just a sofa. Annoying, hell yeah, but it's life, accidents happen.. (and I say that as someone who's banned her messy better half from eating/drinking on the new, very expensive sofa I treated us to, who I know eats and drinks on it when am not there!).

RosesAndHellebores · 06/11/2025 19:50

Have you thought about turnong the seat cushion over?

Glitchymn1 · 06/11/2025 19:50

I’d be annoyed too, that’s why I won’t have fabric sofas. I’d get a throw/cushions/ ban mil from using ink. Accidents happen though.

lunar1 · 06/11/2025 19:47

It’s new, call the shop and order a new cover, it’s probably still being sold.

Breadcat24 · 06/11/2025 19:47

Would it be possible to get a new seat cushion? or a couple of slightly different shade seat cushions made so it looks like a style choice

HouseofDreams · 06/11/2025 19:45

YANBU to be upset about the stain
YABU to make an old lady feel terrible for an accident

TessSaysYes · 06/11/2025 19:43

I was like this with my John lewis garden sofas. But honestly it's better to care about stuff a lot less.It just sounds just an accident. I'd try not to make an old lady feel terrible about it
Thats what I'd suggest

ThisCanFuckOffToo · 06/11/2025 19:43

“Carefully curated” is the wankiest term I’ve ever heard. You’ve bought stuff you liked, that’s all.

Yanbu to be upset but unless your MIL spitefully rubbed ink on your sofa to piss you off then YABU.

Have you tried everything? I’ve got a velvet sofa and it is indestructible.

(edited, LIKED not KILLED, lol 😂)

GetOffTheRoof · 06/11/2025 19:42

Lotsnlotsoflove · 06/11/2025 19:13

Yes she offered to clean it. But it is not cleanable according to three upholstery cleaning services I’ve described the stain and sent images to.

Claim on your home insurance.

ErrolTheDragon · 06/11/2025 19:39

BernardButlersBra · 06/11/2025 19:30

Whats wrong with velvet sofas?

Harder to clean than some of the alternatives?

Left · 06/11/2025 19:36

Is it on a section that could be patched by an upholsterer? For example if it’s on one arm only, could the manufacturer supply a fabric swatch to recover just that area?

Luxio · 06/11/2025 19:36

I agree with your husband it was presumably an accident and accidents happen. She's offered to pay to have it cleaned so it's not like she's just ignoring the issue. Suggest she buys a nice throw and draw a line under it. No one is perfect and being cross isn't going to help the situation, give the poor women a hug and tell her shit happens.

TesChique · 06/11/2025 19:31

Yes i would be silently fuming, but also, accidents happen.

Your MIL is in tears, give her a hug and tell her its ok

user12367e7e7 · 06/11/2025 19:30

Have you tried to get it cleaned

BernardButlersBra · 06/11/2025 19:30

beeautifullif3 · 06/11/2025 19:14

Yabu to have velvet sofas

Whats wrong with velvet sofas?

BernardButlersBra · 06/11/2025 19:29

YANBU. MIL needs to sort it as she was the one who did it, to be honest l wouldn't be giving it much headspace. Her crying isn't going to solve anything, apart from manipulating you and your husband. Which is her aim most likely.

She sounds like a child between the carelessness with a pen and the self pitying tears

MrsLizzieDarcy · 06/11/2025 19:24

Where did you get the sofa from? If it's a cotton velvet you are screwed but if it's a polyester velvet it should be cleanable. (I'm in the upholstery trade)

dontmalbeconme · 06/11/2025 19:22

What a lot of drama over a sofa. If it really can't be cleaned, then just buy a throw.

In the bigger scheme of things, an ink stain on a sofa really isn't a big deal.

DollyDabble · 06/11/2025 19:20

Well if professional cleaners say they can't get the stain out, then i would be taking the cushion cover off, if it comes off and trying a soak in milk followed by a gentle wash. If it doesnt come off, try gently blotting it with a cloth thats got milk on it, followed by a warm rinse with clean water. Milk strange as it seems, is great for getting rid of biro and ink marks.
Youve got nothing to lose, if you,plan on replacing it anyway. If it doesnt work, cover it with a throw until you get a new one.

FourIsNewSix · 06/11/2025 19:20

Can't you replace just a piece of it or use a sofa cover?

Getting a sofa which has to become completely replaced at each stain sounds like a sure way to be upset.