Spills on a sofa happen to everyone. The good news is that most of them come out completely, as long as the first few minutes don't make them worse. Here's the first aid we recommend, and the mistakes we see most often.
First, check the tag. Most upholstery has a cleaning code under a cushion or on the frame: W means water-based cleaners are fine, S means solvent only and no water, WS means either, and X means vacuum only. If it's S or X, don't use water at all. Blot up what you can and call a professional.
Blot, don't rub. Press a clean white cloth or paper towel onto the spill to soak up as much as possible, and keep switching to a dry section. Rubbing grinds the stain deeper into the fibers, spreads it wider and can fuzz the fabric's surface permanently.
Work from the outside in. If you do dampen the area with a little cool water (on W or WS fabric), work from the edge of the stain toward the center so you don't push it outward and leave a ring. Use as little water as possible: whatever soaks into the cushion underneath can wick back up as a new stain when it dries.
Skip the hot water, the bleach and the carpet spray from under the sink. Heat can set protein stains like milk, blood and pet accidents; bleach and strong household cleaners can remove color or leave a residue that attracts dirt. And don't use a hair dryer to dry the spot, which can set it too.
If the stain is still there once it's dry, or it's a big one, call us. Professional upholstery stain treatment uses products matched to the stain and the fabric, and extraction that pulls it out of the cushion rather than just the surface. Call Shiny Fabrics & J&B at (862) 406-5145 — the sooner, the better.