Grape Kool-Aid! Spaghetti! Chocolate! Pizza! As much as you try 
to avoid it, chances are good that one of these foods will 
sooner or later come to rest on your favorite chair or sofa. 
Since plastic covers for furniture are out of style (sweaty and 
sticky!), the only solution is learn to remove that dastardly 
spot! Here is a general guide to removing stains from your 
upholstered furniture: 

1. Know your fabric! Look on the furniture tag to determine the 
   method of stain removal. Letters are used to tell you what 
   cleaner will work best on your fabric:

      * W means spot clean with a water-based solution or mild 
        detergent. It is best to use the foam produced by the 
        solution to do the majority of the work.
      * S means spot clean with a solvent only in a 
        well-ventilated room (it stinks!) Cleaning with 
        solvents may cause spotting and any water stains 
        may be permanent
      * SW means spot clean with either solvent or water-based 
        foam
      * X means you are out of luck! Vacuum only! Not a smart 
        buy for families with children!

2. Remove excess soil or food product right away if possible!  
   Kids (and teenagers and at least one male adult in my house) 
   are notorious about spilling things in between the sofa 
   cushions where you find it months later! The longer a spill 
   stays on the fabric, the harder it is to remove. Vacuum the 
   fabric as soon as you can. If the spill is thick, scrape the 
   excess spill with a dull spoon or table knife. 

3. Find an inconspicuous spot to test your cleaner. The bottom 
   hem of the back of the sofa is a good spot!

4. If the fabric can be cleaned with water, use one gallon cool 
   or warm water to about 5 teaspoons of mild dishwashing 
   liquid.  If the spill is grease or something that has 
   caramelized sugar, your solution should be 50% white vinegar 
   and 50% water.

5. Don't over-wet the fabric. Let the foam of the solution do 
   most of the work. Blot it frequently, whether you are using 
   water or solvent, and work from the outer edge to the center 
   of the spot to help prevent rings. 

6. Don't rub the fabric too vigorously or it may pill. 

7. Rinse the fabric with a clean sponge and clean water (unless 
   you are using solvent).

8. Blot the liquid with an absorbent material. Cotton towels 
   (white to avoid color transfer) or paper towels are great 
   for this job. Some experts recommend placing a heavy weight 
   over a thick layer of towels and replacing the towels 
   periodically. 

Remember vacuuming often is your first best defense against 
stains. Not only will it clean soil from your furniture, but it 
encourages you to check between those cushions and under those 
chair arms for food stains. Your second best defense is garbage 
bag slipcovers, but they may limit your decorating choices.  
Garbage bag Tuscan! What a concept!