India’s Cream Chair & the Upholstery Rescue

See our AMAZING RESULTS below!

Nicholas here from Exceed Carpet Cleaning, and I’ve got a story to share that I think many families—especially those with kids—can relate to. A wonderful client named India reached out to us with a small furniture emergency. Her daughter had accidentally spilled liquid foundation makeup on a white upholstered armchair. That kind of stuff sinks quickly and stains hard—especially on light fabric. If you’ve ever been in that “uh-oh” moment and thought your furniture was ruined, keep reading. You might be surprised at what’s possible.

If you’re in Chapman, ACT and dealing with furniture stains or just need a freshen-up, this story shows exactly how we can help.

Here’s India’s Story

India got in touch after a makeup mishap left her favorite cream-colored chair with a noticeable pinkish foundation blotch. It was a newish armchair, soft to the touch, and it stood out in their lounge room—not just physically, but as a piece they actually loved using. She was hoping for a miracle, or at least a way to minimize the damage. She figured a professional might be able to lighten it, but wasn’t sure full removal was even possible.

The pressure was on—foundation isn’t like juice or coffee. It’s built to stay where you put it, which is great for skin… not so great for fabric.

Check out Before, During and After Images of this Job

What We Found Before We Started

When I arrived at their home in Chapman, the chair was positioned near a sunny window, and the spill was front and center on the seat cushion. The light from the window didn’t help—it only made the stain look worse. The pink-beige smear had soaked into the fibers, and you could tell it had an oily texture just by the way it darkened the area.

Here’s the tricky thing: liquid foundation contains both pigment and oil, which means it penetrates and binds to fabric like glue. Combine that with white or cream upholstery? You’re looking at one of the most unforgiving combos out there.

To make matters more delicate, this particular chair had a soft woven fabric, similar to a tight linen blend. That type of weave doesn’t respond well to aggressive scrubbing—it can fray, pill, or watermark if overworked. So, this wasn’t going to be a “spray and scrub” fix.

India admitted she had considered trying a DIY cleaner but held off. Good thing she did—when it comes to makeup, using the wrong cleaner is like putting fuel on a fire. You can set the stain in permanently if you use something too harsh.

How We Tackled the Stain

We started with a fabric safety test on an inconspicuous area. Every time we touch light upholstery, we verify it won’t react badly to moisture, pressure, or pH-balanced cleaners. Once it passed, we mixed a specialized upholstery solution designed for cosmetic oils and pigment-based residues.

Foundation is sneaky—it seeps into the smallest fibers and spreads like melted butter. Think of it like trying to remove ink from a paper towel. You need to be precise, gentle, and patient. That’s exactly what we did.

Using our professional-grade hot water extraction system, we applied targeted suction with carefully controlled heat and pressure. We followed up with a low-moisture rinse pass, which helps prevent any watermark rings or over-wetting. I also used a microfiber blotting technique to lift residual color without stressing the fabric.

Every pass showed progress. The color lifted gradually, and the oily shadow broke apart under the heat and rinse cycle. We didn’t rush it—slow and steady was the name of the game. After a few carefully controlled rounds, the stain was completely gone.

I was impressed. These stains don’t usually go quietly!

A Chair Saved — and a Satisfied Family

After the cleaning was complete, the fabric was spotless, dry to the touch, and totally free of any residue. No rings, no shadows, no stiff patches—just a perfectly clean cream chair, like nothing had ever happened.

India was thrilled. Her daughter came into the room after the job was done and couldn’t believe what she saw after the stain had gone.

I get that a lot. But really—it’s not magic. It’s just the right equipment, products, and experience working together in the hands of someone who cares.

What made this job special wasn’t just the stain—it was the relief in India’s voice when she saw it gone. That kind of satisfaction is why we do what we do.

By the way, if you’re wondering whether we handle other types of stains or lounge fabrics—check out this quick guide on fabric couch cleaning tips.

And what does India think?            

Here’s what she had to say:

Short, sweet, and honest—just the way we like it. We take pride not just in the results, but in the experience we give our customers from the moment they book to the moment we leave their home spotless.

If you’re in Chapman or anywhere in the ACT, and you’ve got a spill you think is impossible to fix—or even just some furniture that’s overdue for a clean—Exceed Carpet Cleaning is here to help. We know upholstery inside and out, and we treat every job like we’re cleaning our own home.

Reach out if you ever need a hand—or a chair rescued!