From slipcovers to stain removers, get proactive with stain-proofing! When you’re shopping for the perfect chair, you consider many things before you buy. Style, color, price, and comfort are all vital considerations, but you probably also think about the inevitable: stains. Dining room chairs and cozy armchairs are high-traffic seats in the house with the most day-to-day use, and are most prone to accidents. Whether it’s dye transferred from your favorite dark jeans or a drip of red wine, stains happen. Learn how to prevent disaster and protect your investment with a few DIY tricks. There are several options when it comes to safe-guarding your upholstered chairs against stains. If you love soft-hued silk or neutral linen, you’re going to want to invest in preventative measures, taking the stress out of having pets, meals with little ones, or festive gatherings. A protective plastic cover or a washable drop-cloths are temporary solutions that work with just about anything.
You might be sacrificing style for safety, but there are a range of options, from coated cotton to vinyl if you’re into “better safe than sorry.” A different, more attractive option is a tailored fabric cover. With armchairs or dining chairs that have all-over upholstery, a full cover will definitely keep stains at bay. You can buy them in a variety of colors, styles, materials and designs—from rustic and casual, to trim and tailored. You don’t have to be a pro to make your own covers: with general dimensions, a few yards of fabric and some buttons or ties for cinching the back and sides, you can whip up your own custom covers. Try removable seat cushions atop upholstered side chairs to show off their carved wood frames, or a punchy printed stain-resistant fabric atop an antique-inspired armchair to maintain a retro vibe. Whichever route you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy the overall look of your chair without fretting about stains. Guard It With Your Life Whether you go with a cover or simply leave it as is, you should still protect the fabric.
There are many household cleaners and fabric treatments on the market designed to do just that. If your chair features delicate fabrics like suede or silk in lighter hues, you’ll want to do a lot of research to make sure you choose the right products. If your chair doesn’t come with a pre-treatment kit, look into some professional-grade chemical products designed to protect upholstery and keep stains from setting. Scotch-Guard, for instance, has products for practically any kind of material or upholstery. Of course, there are many other specialty products available, targeted to treat every wayward smudge from pens to pet stains to red wine. During your research, you may also find recipes for homemade stain protectors, which typically use natural ingredients that won’t damage your furniture. Whatever chemistry you do cook up, be sure to avoid bleach-based products, and always spot-test! If you choose to do-it-yourself, exercise caution. Make sure you’re familiar with all the fabrics, stitching, lining and other textiles on your chair, so you know which chemicals or processes you can use and which you should avoid.
If your chair has any wood on it, you should remove those pieces if you can, or wrap anything that’s not made of fabric tightly with plastic wrap and painter’s tape. Certain rubbed or washed finishes, soft pine, or hand-painted frames are susceptible to damage or wear. Remove cushions or fabric-covered pieces before spraying them with a stain-repellant. Place them on cloths or mats, let the repellant set, and leave them alone for up to 48 hours. When you’re choosing your chair, or selecting the cushion or cover for it, you should spend time researching the finishes and fabrics used. Linen has a wonderful casual elegance, but for slipcovers or skirted covers, it can be tough to keep wrinkles at bay. Look for more durable alternatives with similar weaves, or synthetic blends that blend technology with style for a safe, stain-repellant option. Some fabrics get stain-treated beforehand, and come out of the store able to resist any spots or blotches. Others such as nylon, are generally considered stain-repellant to begin with, but you’ll want to check and make sure.
You’ll have more control over picking out stain-resistant textiles if you make or buy your own cover. You can still get lovely colors, patterns, and designs when you go this route, but again it will depend on how much you love the look of your original chair. If you want something simple that will help you avoid pet stains or food debris, a simple quilt, afghan, or other chic throw will do the trick. You see these spread out over the backs of couches all the time, and they look just as charming over chairs. Naturally, they look most at home over larger pieces, such as sofas or armchairs, but don’t feel limited. Lustrous faux fur throws over the side of a casual ladder-back chair are cozy winter-time updates. Play with texture: layer a sheepskin over leather for a luxe look that keeps top-grain hide safe from spills. A beautiful crocheted throw over an antique chair is an excellent choice. If you have lots of wooden pieces, then blankets or quilts carefully folded over the back will also add layered comfort.
Need another easy fall-back? Keep sheets on hand for tossing over certain pieces while you’re out if you know you pets will climb on the furniture unsupervised. This will help prevent stains and tears on your couches. Simply keeping your chair clean is sure to prevent stains as well. Lint roll any pet hair or vacuum up crumbs the second you spot them. Keep a case of club soda in the pantry. If a beverage spills, blot it up immediately. Go back to the Scotch-Guard option and make sure you do a refresher every once in a while, according to the directions. Invest in a bottle of Wine Away—the miraculous solution makes the inkiest Cabernet evaporate from upholstery. And don’t forget the frames: keep all of your wooden finishes clean and gleaming with the proper products. You may also need to create some furniture rules in your home. If you have a chair that’s particularly valuable or that you really love, don’t let anyone eat or drink on it. That’s sure to cut down on the risk and appearance of stains and debris.