CHI Good Question: Cleaning A Bantam Sofa?

Ohdeedoh editor Alex send us a good question: "I've asked everyone and no one has had a clear answer for me, so it suddenly occurred to me that I have a great resource at my fingertips -- the AT readers. I own the Bantam sofa, from DWR, and am having the worst luck with stains.I have tried spot cleaning, but all that does is make white spots -- not pretty. Has anyone had their Bantam cleaned? Does anyone have any recommendations for cleaning it? Should I just go professional or is there a trick I am missing?"

We did a little research on this one and are convinced that we somehow know less now then we did in the beginning. It seems water can make things much worse (surprise !) and organic materials (such as the cotton upholstery on your Olive Bantam) are more delicate and therefore more challenging to clean than synthetics (not such a surprise!). Therefore, we'd most likely go with a pro upholstery dry cleaning and after a quick phone call to DWR, we found out their product support team agrees. Also, if you go with a pro (at least the first time around), you'll find out first hand about the best methods for future cleaning and upkeep for this specific piece.

That said, if any readers have been down this road with the Bantam (or a similar 100% cotton upholstered piece) please let Alex know how you have handled the cleaning - and as always...any recommendations for good local upholstery cleaners are welcome as well!

Comments (9)

Can you Scotch Guard once it's cleaned? My sofa was Scotch Guarded, and now my kids eat spaghetti on it, spill juice and make all sorts of mess on it, with no stains at all. (But, yes, it's a synthetic fabric.)

posted by Lisa Hunter on January 28th 2008 at 12:52pm
view Lisa Hunter's profile

I have good luck in general with white vinegar and baking soda. Spray a solution of 1/3 vinegar, 2/3 water on the stain, saturate it. Cover w/a thick layer of baking soda. let dry over night and vacuum in the morning. Try it on an inconspicuous spot first, of course.

posted by greer on January 28th 2008 at 6:51pm
view greer's profile

A friend of mine spilled a glass of red wine on my white sofa (cotton upholstery) - I really thought it was a goner but he insisted we go to the store and buy something right away to clean it with. We ended up with some Woolite Oxi Deep and it lifted the stain out. Completely. You can't tell anyone ever spilled red wine. I have also used this stuff on carpet stains. I would recommend trying it before you go to an expensive cleaning service.

posted by RichardinLA on January 29th 2008 at 12:15am
view RichardinLA's profile

I believe that Scotch Guard has been discontinued because it was toxic and caused severe birth defects. Here is an article about it:
http://www.chemicalindustryarchives.org/dirtysecrets/scotchgard/1.asp

posted by Signe on January 29th 2008 at 4:10am
view Signe's profile

I love the coffee table who is it buy and where did you get it?

posted by ahinsley on January 29th 2008 at 5:48am
view ahinsley's profile

Alex, Stop! Do not clean it any further. First you need to get in contact with DWR and find out if the fabric can be cleaned with water or if it requires a solvent solution. The mill that produces the fabric has put a "finish" on the it. You can severly damage it if you use the wrong thing. Water can leave major stains. And the wrong solvent can bleach out the fabric. To protect your investment, contact a sales person directly at DWR and explain your problem. They will guide you in the right direction.
Best of luck!

posted by Koikub on January 29th 2008 at 5:59am
view Koikub's profile

I've lived with a beige Bantam for the past 3 years. I understand your plight well. I've had luck with simple dish soap on a clean piece of cloth. I've only used it on the side corners, where my neighbor's cat rubs up against, so I'm unsure if there was any discoloration. Using it on the cushion may has different results.

posted by PDXBill on January 29th 2008 at 6:02am
view PDXBill's profile

Ahinsley - The coffee table is from Ikea, but unfortunately it has been discontinued. We purchased it over 5 years ago. However, I recently saw a lighter version of the coffee table on the cover of Atomic Ranch magazine, so it may still be in circulation in some Ikeas.

posted by Alex on January 29th 2008 at 6:41am
view Alex's profile

If you would like to have professional service company to get all your furniture repair work done right at first time please contact All Furniture Services www.furnitureservices.com , we specialized in all furniture repair restoration touch-up refinishing cleaning polishing upholstery disassembly assembly on everything wood, fabric, leather, vinyl, mechanism and on any furniture Antique - Modern - Custom - Hospitality. We do disassembling of furniture that does not fit into tight entrances, basements etc. such as sofa couch armoire headboard bed china sleeper. We do large project for hotels. Partitions cubicles assembly disassembly. In Home repairs same day service 7 days a week. Best Service for lowest prices Guaranteed. Over 50 pages of before and after pictures! 718-268-2727, 347-528-7777

posted by Mikayel on March 20th 2009 at 4:37pm
view Mikayel's profile