Does anybody have a good stain removal for food coloring in upholstery? My best friend dropped her red food coloring bottle on the floor. Her yorkypoo thought it looked like fun to grab the bottle, get up on her new, custom couch and proceed to chew the dickens out of the bottle putting stains all over it. She's been trying several things. I recommended Oxyclean, but she's not having any luck. Any good ideas out there?

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 06:40 am:

I recently removed almost all of a large permanent black magic marker spot from a new white sweater using Zout. But I think it is strong stuff and I'd try it on a hidden place first to be sure it doesn't take the intended color out of the fabric. But frankly, given that it is a custom couch, I'd be on the phone to people that come to your house and clean upholstery. My concern is that anything you can buy in a store that will take the stain out may also take the color out of the fabric. I think professionals would know what, if anything, would work.

If it were me, I wouldn't try anything at all - I'd call the professionals. Given what she has invested in a custom piece of upholstered furniture, it would be cheaper than having the couch recovered, no matter how much they charge.

By Kaye on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 10:18 am:

I have used alcohol successfully to remove permanant marker from stairs. I have to say though, food dye, man I really doubt that is coming out.

By Bellajoe on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 04:23 pm:

Have her call the maker of the food coloring. They may have an idea for her. They usually have a number on the box. If not, have her look on the website for a number to call.

That's awful! I don't think it will come out, but calling them is definitly worth a try.