Spills on the couch are a common household issue. While it is common, it does not make it a welcome chore, either. In particular, cleaning red wine stains on the couch is one of the toughest jobs you could deal with. If you do not know how to remove these stains, it could result in permanent discoloration of your sofa. If you have spent thousands of dollars on this piece of furniture, this could mean money going down the drain.
Basic Stain Removal
When you accidentally spill red wine on your sofa, you can try this simple step for cleaning your upholstery: The most important thing to remember is to act fast. The longer you let the stain sit, the deeper it gets to seep into the fabric. When you act quickly, you can get rid of the stain before it damages the fabric too much.
You will need a clean piece of cloth and a stain remover for fabric or clothing. As soon as you spill something on the sofa, grab the cloth immediately (or a paper towel if a wiping cloth is not readily available). The next step is to get the clothing stain remover (or sparkling water as an alternative). If neither a clean cloth nor a stain remover is available, you can sprinkle salt directly on the stained area. The use of salt prevents the stain from setting, so it is easier to remove later once you are able to have access to cleaning supplies.
When treating the stain on your sofa, it is best to dab the solution on it instead of rubbing it on the stain. If you rub the stain, it can cause it to seep deeper into the fabric. Your goal at this point is to prevent the stain from spreading.
Soda Water (or Carbonated Water)
Another valuable item you might have at home to treat red wine stains on your sofa is soda water. The great thing about using this cleaning solution is that soda water does not cause damage to your sofa’s upholstery. Pour soda water into a spray bottle and then spritz some of it directly onto the area of the couch where the stain is.
Another method of application is to wet a piece of cloth with soda water and dab it onto the stained surface. Allow the soda water to seep into the fabric until it saturates the stain. Do this a few times when you are dealing with stubborn stains.
White Wine
If you have extra white wine lying around, you can also use that to remove red wine stains on your couch. The white wine method works because it strips off the red pigments that are left behind by the spilled red wine on your sofa. This method of stain removal is so easy that all you need is a small amount of white wine and baking soda.
The first step is to pour white wine directly over the red stain. Leave the white wine to sit for a few minutes and let it do its stain removal action on its own. After a few minutes have passed, blot the surface of the stain with a cloth. If there are still visible stain marks, you can pour baking soda over it. This will help to lift off any remaining pigments from the red wine.
If you want to make sure that the stain is completely removed, add some more white wine to the stained area.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
Vinegar and baking soda are two of the most invaluable items you can have in your kitchen pantry. They are also your go-to supplies for removing stains from spilled red wine.
You can use vinegar and baking soda to remove fresh or old red wine stains on your couch. Combine the two ingredients to form a paste. Apply the paste directly over the area of the couch that has been stained. If you are worried about the baking soda chunks, you can easily remove them later on with a vacuum cleaner. Use a wet cloth to dab on the stained area and allow the paste to work. Repeat the process as often as needed (depending on the degree of the stain).
