Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Bird poo stains on fabric.

(9 Posts)
Elegran Sun 30-May-21 18:54:13

So I managed to assemble my Ikea Poang chairs for the conservatory, admired them, and went in to eat. Returned to the conservatory to find a panic-stricken blackbird clinging to the top of a blind. I shepherded it toward the open window (Can't they recognise a way out in front of their eyes? It had also ignored the door, which was wide open.) It shot out, and loudly described its ordeal to its mate on the garage roof.

It had left several calling cards. Those on hard surfaces cleaned up easily, but the canvas on one of my new chairs has dark stains which I can't remove. Has anyone any suggestions?

Ellianne Sun 30-May-21 19:11:01

Ink stain remover.

Callistemon Sun 30-May-21 20:03:32

I suppose it depends what the bird had been eating!

Vinegar is recommended but you could try white tablet soap which I find better than any of the proprietary stain removers.

Is the chair cushion cover removable? You could try dampening, rubbing with white tablet soap, don't rinse it then launder with a biological detergent.

Elegran Sun 30-May-21 20:26:54

No, it isn't removable. It is a kind of canvas over foam. The whole cushion (seat, back and headrest in one) fixes onto the chair frame with velcro. It is too big to to put the whole thing into the washing machine. I don't have any ink stain cleaner. I'll try the white tablet soap, but I can't take it off and launder it.. I've just been to look at it , and now that it is dry most of the marks look fainter, so there is hope. Another clean might get rid of them, or make them unnoticeable at least. Thanks for the replies.

Elegran Sun 30-May-21 20:29:39

I found another deposit on a window, behind the blind. I don't know how the bird got in there! This had dried on by the time I found it, so took some cleaning off.

Callistemon Sun 30-May-21 21:08:08

A baby blackbird got shut into our conservatory last year; it pooped all around the floor behind the furniture but fortunately not on the furniture. It must have hopped in there, we didn't realise, locked up and went out.
It was still alive, I had to pick it up in a towel to put it out but don't know if it survived after the shock.

Callistemon Sun 30-May-21 21:09:30

Its father was waiting outside for it, calling to it so I hope he fed it and it survived.

Ellan Sun 30-May-21 21:41:08

Honestly, my go to stain remover is Fairy Liquid, diluted with water, on a white cloth, applied ASAP
It has worked on various 'dubious' stains on my cream sofa
Good luck

Elegran Mon 31-May-21 10:46:05

After another go with Dove moisturising face soap (the only bar soap in the house) the marks are much fainter. If I didn't know they were there, I wouldn't notice them.