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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Greasy head stain on sofa

26 replies

saltedBubbly · 20/02/2022 23:09

My grey sofa has a horrible brown greasy stain where DH sits, from his head. Yuck.

Luckily the head rest part of the sofa has a removable cover. It says handwash only on the label, so I've soaked it with laundry powder and given it a scrub, but the brown stain is still there.

How do I get rid of it??

I'm getting one of those old fashioned doily things that people put on their sofas once it's cleaned. No more DH's greasy head on my sofa!

OP posts:
M0RVEN · 20/02/2022 23:13

I have no good advice for you I’m afraid.

But I just wanted to let you know that the little doily for the sofa is called an antimacassar. I’ve been on Mumsnet for many years and I’ve never had the opportunity to use this word so thank you @saltedBubbly

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimacassar

Original poster
saltedBubbly · 20/02/2022 23:17

Aaaah I think I knew that but couldn't remember! It's a word I've not heard since my grandmother was alive 😆

Yes I need an antimacassar for DH's greasy head! So my sofa can look like it's come from the 1940s

OP posts:
Marmelace · 20/02/2022 23:19

My nanna always had covers on the arms and backs of chairs, think it was something to do with the amount of brylcreme used.

NinaDefoe · 20/02/2022 23:26

I’m picturing this now OP!

Greasy head stain on sofa
NinaDefoe · 20/02/2022 23:26

You can get plain ones (or make your own?)
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283487716565

Sunbird24 · 20/02/2022 23:27

Hand wash with Shampoo?

Original poster
saltedBubbly · 20/02/2022 23:27

Just read that link re Antimacassars, yes Macassar was hair oil so it was to protect furniture from that. DH doesn't use hair oil, he's just got a greasy head!

Can anyone help me on how to clean it? Confused

OP posts:
NinaDefoe · 20/02/2022 23:28

@Marmelace

My nanna always had covers on the arms and backs of chairs, think it was something to do with the amount of brylcreme used.
I think ‘macassar* is an old type/brand of hair cream.
NinaDefoe · 20/02/2022 23:29

Xpost!

ArtfulScreamer · 21/02/2022 11:18

Try fairy liquid it's good for breaking down grease that's what I use on my pillow cases which my similar greasy headed DH seems to discolour.

purpleboy · 21/02/2022 12:05

Stain slayer might help, it's got rid of everything I've ever tried it on.

Bebabelouba · 21/02/2022 12:06

Elbow grease spray?

gamerchick · 21/02/2022 12:09

I think I'd just stick it on a handwash cycle or wool cycle in the washer. It's a cool wash so shouldn't shrink it. With bio powder.

declutteringmymind · 21/02/2022 16:02

The bissell pet pro spot cleaner. It's brilliant. Have a look on Amazon, the pics in the review sold it for me. I use it on all sorts, including car mats and door rugs.

Ilovenutellaaaaa · 21/02/2022 16:08

I wonder if since it's hand wash if it would be ok to dry clean it (the dry cleaners might have something to get out the greasy stain)

Notcontent · 21/02/2022 18:01

I have a light coloured sofa and I have covered it with a linen type throw thing, as I am really not sure how these kind of stains can be avoided otherwise!

Original poster
saltedBubbly · 22/02/2022 00:52

Update:

I soaked it in hot water with washing powder. Scrubbed it and re soaked it. The water was dirty so it must have got something out, but I could still see that stain.

Then I scrubbed it with Fairy liquid as per someone's suggestion here.

The stain is better but still very much there. Aaaargh!

OP posts:
Using4532 · 22/02/2022 06:59

I think you may have to get a throw unfortunately, I have to use one on our sofa and I had to get some chair back for the chairs, DHs greasy head, he doesn't use any products, ruin everything, I got a fleece throw for about £10 from M&S that washes really well, fancy wool ones don't often go into the machine. He also ruined the headboard on the bed and I had to replace it

Using4532 · 22/02/2022 07:07

Oh I see you are getting a doily thing, we have them on our chairs, they are a tapestry style and don't show the dirt, I got them from eBay for about £12 for 2

labyrinthlaziness · 22/02/2022 07:12

Put a plain cream cotton throw along the back of the sofa to avoid this, as it can be washed hot. It just looks like a throw so doesn't scream 'our family has greasy heads'.

I'm not sure the stain will come out, but you could try the dry cleaners as they have techniques.

rifling · 22/02/2022 07:17

Yes I think you'll have to use an antimaccassar to cover it up now. My dh has similar problem and our pillowcases are ruined. Nothing seems to get it out completely.

Using4532 · 22/02/2022 07:22

M&S have 30% off all of their throws at the moment

PragmaticWench · 22/02/2022 18:53

Was it biological washing powder or non-bio? I think you'd need biological.

bellac11 · 22/02/2022 18:57

Definitely needs biological powder for that sort of thing

justpicksomething · 22/02/2022 19:35

Once you have sorted the sofa just give his head a quick rub over with micellar water before he sits down. That should sort it.
Or get him a night cap.