I have a very light-colored (I would call it bone), leather sectional sofa. A guest left stains from some sort of self-tanner product on the front part of one of the seat cushions. I have just now tried one round of saddle soap which I think might have helped lighten the stain some, but it’s still there. Anyone here have any ideas for me?
Also, this guest is a friend and comes over regularly and always sits in the same spot. We live in Florida, so she is often in shorts or short dresses which is why the transfer occurred. I am not sure if the stain is something that has built up over time or if it was a one-time thing that happened because she had recently applied the product. How can I address this with her in the future? I’m afraid she will become defensive if I, “accuse,” her of staining my sectional, but she is the only person who sits there besides me, and I know she uses self-tanner regularly. I suppose if I can figure out a way to remove the stain, I should keep my mouth shut about it? Maybe I should just be grateful she doesn’t sit in multiple different places on my sectional.
I’d start with diluted dawn, warm water and paper towels to blot and see if that works. There are also leather cleaners, mostly for car leather seat, that might help too.
How close are you with this friend? If it’s a really good friend, I’d just be up front about it and tell her that after she left, you noticed self tanner on the couch.
If it’s not a good friend and you worry about the response, I would be tempted to put a washable cover or throw on the couch when you know she’s coming.
I’d have a soft blanket or towel covering the sofa next time she’s over. Personally I wouldn’t make a point about her tanner being the cause of a stain… I’d probably attribute it to my own use of a product to help save face… but I’d make it clear that’s why the cover is there.
I have not used this myself- but a friend bought a leather dying kit off Amazon (two steps- it strips and then recolors) and said it saved an expensive but old couch which was quite stained all over (wine, food, god knows what). And absolutely invest in two cute throws-- one for each side of the couch- for the next visit.
