Stain on sofa I'm really cross

[Lotsnlotsoflove]

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?

You are allowed to be upset. It’s an expensive piece of furniture and it’s ruined. Yes it’s an accident but how on earth did it happen.

I’ve used hairspray to get ink off a sofa before. Just spray liberally and dab with a dry cloth. Worked beautifully. Admittedly it wasn’t velvet, but might be worth a try on a small section of the stain?

Yeah, lost me at ‘curated’ too. If the OP had got a ‘performative’ in there too, I’d’ve been round her place with a bottle of violet Quink.

Nickname her "Inky" from now on 🙂

Yes youre being very unreasonable. you've pushed the poor lady to tears???? Thats not acceptable tbh

OP - when you bought the sofa did you not think of how practical it was, whether it could be cleaned if there was an accident? Sofas are there to be used, not ornamental . It is horrible when something you value is spoilt, but is this important enough to upset a family member? Even if you replace it, you’re always going to worry about someone spilling something on it or damaging the fabric. You’ve been given good advice, recovering etc. if you do make sure it’s not so special that it can’t be used.

No point in buying a new one as a stain may get on that one to?

Send us a photo of the stain and the type of ink, it's worth a try, someone might know a trick. If it's ruined it can't get worse x

It’s ok to be upset, using ink on a new sofa wasn’t very sensible. Reminds me of the time MIL threw a full glass of red wine over our new cream sofa and didn’t offer to clean it (apparently she has weak wrists). I spent a fortune cleaning it then the kitten decided to shred it to bits!

Id probably try to get it fixed. Lots of suggestions above. If stubborn stain then claim on house insurance.

If she had done it deliberately fair enough but accidents happen, life’s too short to get this worked up about a sofa

Do you follow Nancy Birtswhisle on insta? She does great ‘green’ cleaning tips that actually work and I think she has one for removing ink (or perhaps biro). You’ve nothing to lose…

What kind of ink was it? If gel ink, rubbing alcohol may get it out. You’d have to get a towel or something underneath it to blot against. I’d be reluctant to rub at the pile too much so you’d have to do this repeatedly.

It was an accident

I can understand your upset.
You are a very kind woman having your MIL to live with you.
It may have been an accident but you have every right to be pissed off.
Your husband has zero right to be pissed, this is your home.
I hope you can sort it or the company csn help with a piece of material to have part of it re covered?
If she's going to be with you long term, get a throw.
Don't replace it.
She sounds very careless.
I have 4 children and with 4 different sofas this has never happened.

I second using milk! I had ink all over a skirt and had tried vanish, vodka (they said rubbing alcohol and that’s what I had) and washed it at least three times, to no avail, and someone said try milk and even though the stain was well ground in by then it still worked.

Hmm careless really. How do you get large amounts of ink over a sofa?

I think this is one of those accidents that wouldn't happen if she had taken more care.

Why was there even ink near the sofa? Surely that's a table item, to be used at a table and desk.

Everyone

This, you sound horrible. You should start worrying more about your lack of compassion for a bereaved MIL than a sofa. Imagine letting someone feel that upset about a stain .. humiliating.

Because everyone's not as uptight as you?

My son dropped a bottle of ink on our new carpet. Milk got it out completely.

The root of this issue is, having her stay. It never works. You have a couple, used to using the bathroom, lounge, flicking on the TV, etc. then you have another adult doing what they want to do, living with you. Someone has to leave and you need to decide who it will be.

And clearly not everyone respects other peoples property or furnishings like I do either.

On one hand … your lovely sofa is spoilt.

on the other hand … no one died did they?

Honestly, rejig your priorities. Because whilst there’s nothing wrong with being sad and cross about sofa, it’s not your DH who has died, it’s not you who’s having to face up to the rest of your life without your life partner. There are bigger problems out there to cope with. Don’t deny yourself and your DH a holiday. Experiences and time together are what counts, not material possessions.

If the stain doesn’t come out you could get it reupholstered - the companies that do it often have really gorgeous interesting options so you could get a beautiful new look for a few hundred!

It is obviously only worth doing if it is an expensive sofa. I would suggest if you do this maybe also buy a cheap waterproof cover that you put on to protect it from future damage!