Is there anything else I can try to remove these stains?

[ahagwearsapointybonnet]

I've been trying to clean 2 chair cushions while we're locked down - both Ikea Poang chairs, so the covers are removable and can be machine-washed. But both of them have stubborn stains (in places I can't easily hide) which I've not yet been able to get out. So far I have tried: Normal machine washing with standard detergent; Spray-on stain remover (Sainsbury's - it's often quite good for greasy spots); Vanish stain remover bar (rubbed in and left for a while before washing again); and a Dr. Beckmann's stain remover bar from my mum, as well as leaving them in the sun for a while - but the stains have got a bit paler but are still quite visible.

I don't know what the stains are - one is orangey so may be curry or something tomato-ey, the other is brown so possibly something like gravy or strong coffee. Can't use bleach as they are both coloured - the first one is blue and the second is a beige fabric with a print of green and brown leaves (unfortunately the stain is in a beige section).

Is there anything else I could try to get them out? Ideally something I might already have or can reasonably easily get hold of. Thanks in advance!

Can you dry them out in the sun? Especially the curry/tomato one. Not sure what else might work, but the sun should work on the tomato stain.

Thanks, I've tried that a bit but may try some more as it's sunny today. I think it did fade them a bit but not yet enough to stop them being noticeable 😟

With all of that you're likely to have 'set' the stain

What I would do now is wash them
In a mild solution of dishwashing liquid, rinse them well, peg them on the line and leave them there a few days.

All else fails, you coujd try dying them.

Elbow Grease is worth a try.

White vinegar and bicarb or elbow grease

Napisan.

FirT I wet the area and run dry napisan powder in, then whack it on napisan soak overnight, finally wash and bingo.

I have tried one sort of elbow grease 😄 Maybe even a bit too much on one of them, as the fabric is starting to look a bit worn round the stained bit. Can try the sort that comes in bottles if I can get hold of it.. I do have bicarb and vinegar and could try that tomorrow.

I also have, if not Napisan then at least the Mothercare version which is hopefully similar, so I could try that too! Thanks for the tips!

And I have dishwashing liquid too of course so can try that as well!

I'd just get new covers from Ikea or ebay.

I’d leave them in the sun longer - at least a couple of days.

how did it go, op?

Well I didn't get round to doing anything more on them the last couple of days, and it also wasn't sunny... But today it is, so I have rubbed in some of my Mothercare Napisan stuff, going to soak them for a while in a bit, then try washing with washing up liquid and dry in the sun. If that doesn't fix it I'll try the bicarb and vinegar and more sun tomorrow. Buying new ones is a last resort as I'd rather not spend that much and especially for the blue one I probably wouldn't get the same blue (which matches the sofa)!

I had muddy paws stains on a poang cover and I used Ariel stain remover on it. It worked. it was like washing liquid but you rub it into the stain. It was a few years ago so don't know if they still do it.

I find Biotex powder really good
It's in a small green box
Soak overnight then wash as normal
It even removed permanent hair dye from a cream top

Washing soda is good or bio washing powder (not a table or a capsule old fashioned washing powder) in a paste or soaked in a strong solution over night

Well I was getting some improvements (but very slow) with the various methods suggested plus as much sunshine at I could manage, but the stains were still visible though a bit paler, but I think KatyMac has found the holy grail

I actually combined both suggestions and made a paste of a teaspoon of bio washing powder, a teaspoon of soda crystals and a little water and rubbed it into the stains (I tested a bit on the back of the cushions first as was worried it might bleach them, but it didn't seem to) and left it on for a few hours, then rinsed it out and hung them in the sun again and on the first go they were about 90% gone afterwards, so I repeated it this morning and would say they're totally unnoticeable now 😃 I only wish I'd been a bit gentler with the early attempts, as the blue cushion has gone slightly roughened where the mark was from scrubbing at it, but it's not that noticeable and better than the orange splodge it had before! Now they just need to finish drying and then I'll put them back on in the morning, hopefully they've not shrunk too much with all the reading and I can get the foam back in (I remember it not being easy the last time I washed them!).

Thanks again for all the good advice!

No worries - I use old tablecloths to make children's dresses and often use that on food stains (hence the bio washing powder)

It's pretty powerful stuff (but as you see it works)

Soak overnight in Biotex

That's lovely KatyMac!

KatyMac - what a great idea to use old tablecloths, that is really lovely.

Thanks both - it's my thing!! I promoted myself to 'Eco-designer' earlier this year

I would dye them.

Keep them outside in the sun. It might take a while for the stains to disappear but persevere, it will work......!!!!

I would give autoglym interior shampoo spray, it’s meant for cars but I use it on carpets and cushions. Seems pretty good!