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?

🤣wanky lol

Velvet is really durable. Loads has come out of mine and it’s also resistant to cat’s claws.

Ink is the issue here. It would be near on impossible to get out of any fabric.

If you get a new one, buy some plastic sheeting & cover it and just

I can understand being upset, OP. I have a chair that is my pride and joy, and even my kids tell others not to eat on mummy’s chair! It’s also stressful having someone come to live with you.

I also understand that your argument is really between you and DH, as to what to do, rather than your MIL, who you have treated appropriately, from how it sounds.

Take a breath and a few days. Go through every option you have – including insurance and other cleaning professionals (I really think someone ought to be willing to have a go).

And ignore people slamming you over having velvet 🙄 It’s super durable and practical, but you would know that unless you have one.

Curry, red wine and even tar has come off of mine over the years. Ink would be an issue on any fabric.

This reminds me of that scene in American Beauty:
Wife: Lester, you're gonna spill beer on the couch
Husband: It's just a sofa
Wife: It's a 5000 dollar couch upholstered in Italian silk
Husband: (leaps up and chucks a cushion) IT'S JUST A SOFA!!!

I do understand you being upset, but I hope you can get it in perspective, Op. Claim on insurance, hug your m-i-l.

I couldn't live like this. Life is short.

I voted YABU just because you used the ultra-wanky word “curated”. It’s a home, not a museum.

It’s understandable to be a bit upset when something new and expensive is damaged. DS got ink from a biro all over our brand new (pale) sofa a few years ago. It’s still there. Nobody died. Accidents happen. You should be looking at where your compulsion for perfection comes from? You sound unhappy. It can be very difficult having unwanted guests, and you can reach a point where every little thing they do winds you up. Maybe this isn’t about a stained sofa.

WOW! What a sweetheart.

I love "carefully curated". I'm going to use it in future😉

Get an IKEA sofa on finance with removable/ washable covers so it can’t happen again.

OP have you tried hand sanitiser gel on the stain?

If the cushion is already ruined with the stain, I would at least try getting it out. Cleaning companies are likely to say it's impossible because they don't want to be held liable if you/they try and it makes it worse. But if it's already ruined you've nothing to lose by trying 🤷🏼‍♀️ DS's friend aged 3 drew with a black fineliner all over our (incredibly ill-advised) cream fabric sofa. I sprayed hairspray over each mark and then scrubbed with one of those Dr Beckman (?) scrubbing brushes that has the stain remover already built in, then DH went over each mark with the steam cleaner while it was still wet. It came up well enough that we still have the sofa 3 years on!

I think the stain’s probably set now. It’s got a throw on it while I try to see if I can get a replacement cushion. Everything is fine. I’ve calmed down and MiL is ok.

I’d try elbow grease spray on it, nothing to lose

YANBU

I can’t imagine being THAT attached to my sofa that I would make MiL cry or pay for a new one on a credit card. Gently, I think this might be about something other than the sofas…

Cannot believe the number of people who suggest making an insurance claim for minor things. Contents insurance is for a real catastrophe where there is thousands of £££ worth of loss and damage, not for one bloody piece of furniture. Anyone who claims on home insurance for a sofa is a moron. You will have an excess of a few hundred pounds to start with, it ramps up your premiums for years and you would have to declare the insurance claim every time you take out another type of insurance for several years. THIS IS NOT WHAT INSURANCE IS FOR.

Same goes for other insurance. Don’t claim on travel insurance just because you lost your iPad. Don’t claim on car insurance for a minor dent. Have a bit of common sense!

Just pretend she's banksy. Now it's an art 'piece'