The Bathroom Essential That Gets Hard-To-Remove Stains Out Of White Chairs

If you own any white chairs, then you know how quickly they can start looking off-color. It really only takes one drip of ketchup or a lone greasy fingerprint to turn your lovely minimalist aesthetic into something that looks messy and unkempt. And while you may automatically reach for dish soap and multi-surface cleaners to try and get the stains out of your white furniture, there's an unlikely contender under your bathroom sink that you may not have considered –- hydrogen peroxide.

This may not be one of the things to never do with hydrogen peroxide, but you still need to be cautious here — don't simply start pouring it on with abandon. Hydrogen peroxide is a type of bleach, so it is best for white or off-white fabrics; using it on darker materials will leave behind lighter spots. But on a white chair, all you need to do is wet a clean cloth with some hydrogen peroxide and then gently blot the offending stain. Be careful not to rub it; you want to blot to pull the stain up and not spread it even more. Let the hydrogen peroxide sit for a few minutes and then dab it away.

It's a great trick for older and more stubborn stains like coffee drops or dried blood. For a more comprehensive guide, check out our list of all the household stains you can get out with hydrogen peroxide, because it may be the fix for more than you realize.

The reason hydrogen peroxide works so well is that when applied to a stain, it releases oxygen, which basically means there's a chemical reaction that lifts the stain and bleaches the residue without damaging the fabric underneath. Nothing is more frustrating than trying every solution to remove stubborn stains from household fabric, especially when it's white, but luckily, hydrogen peroxide has a chemical makeup that makes the process way easier. And if the stains are being extra stubborn, sprinkle some baking soda on top of the hydrogen peroxide to allow the two to work together. It will fizz on application, and then once it has stopped, you can wipe it away with a wet and clean cloth to make sure the residue is all gone. But note – it's a red flag if your hydrogen peroxide doesn't fizz; this is a sign you may need to throw the bottle out and buy a new one.

White chairs are a bold and beautiful choice for most interiors, but they inherently run the risk of staining, especially for anyone who is more accident-prone or has little ones or pets running around. And since hydrogen peroxide is probably already sitting in your bathroom, it's the best tool for the next time you're faced with a mysterious streak on your upholstery.