How to Get Tar Stains out of a Sofa

Dry-Cleaning Solvent

• 1

  Scrape excess tar off the sofa with a plastic spoon. Discard the spoon in a trash can.

• 2

  Dampen a clean, white cloth with dry-cleaning solvent, which is available in the laundry aisle of department stores.

• 3

  Blot the tar stain with the damp cloth until no more solvent can be absorbed. Continue dampening the cloth with dry-cleaning solvent and blotting until the tar stain is no longer visible.

Rubbing Alcohol

• 4

  Scrape excess tar off the sofa with a plastic spoon. Discard the spoon in a trash can.

• 5

  Dampen the stain with rubbing alcohol and blot with several paper towels. Continue this process until the stain is no longer visible. Continue with the remaining steps if the tar stain persists.

• 6

  Fill a small container with 1 cup of water and 1 tsp. of liquid dish soap. Mix the contents with a spoon. Dip a clean, white cloth in the mixture. Blot the tar stain with the damp cloth. Begin at the edge of the stain and work toward the middle. Continue blotting until the stain is no longer visible.

• 7

  Rinse the mixture off the sofa by blotting the area with a clean cloth dampened with cool water. Pat the area dry with a towel.

• 8

  Fill a small container with equal parts of cool water and white vinegar. Dip a clean cloth in the mixture and blot the area where the tar stain was present. Pat the sofa dry with a towel.