Imagine you are unwinding and relaxing on your couch with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon when suddenly, it slips from your hand and spills all over your couch. You can only stare in horror at the spilt red liquid on your sofa.
But to help you salvage the situation and prevent permanent staining on your furniture, we have listed the most effective ways to remove red wine stains from upholstery. They will eliminate the offending stain quickly and restore your couch’s appearance.
Effective Ways to Remove Red Wine Stains from Upholstery
1. Act Quickly and Use Salt
The best way to stop red wine from staining your couch is to act quickly and blot the liquid. So, if you accidentally spill some wine over your couch, don’t panic and address it immediately.
After blotting away the excess liquid with a microfiber cloth, sprinkle salt on the stained area. Let it sit for 2-3 hours to absorb the moisture. Then, vacuum away the salt to reveal a stain-free upholstery.
2. With Baking Soda and White Vinegar
Baking soda and white vinegar are excellent for tackling red wine stains. Their combined action will break down the red wine pigments and eliminate the stain quickly.
So mix two tablespoons of white vinegar with 1/4th cup baking soda. Rub the solution on the stain with a used toothbrush and let it settle. Then, vacuum the paste once it’s dry.
3. With Hydrogen Peroxide and Liquid Dish Soap
Another effective way to remove red wine stains from upholstery is by using hydrogen peroxide and liquid dish soap. According to Reddit, this hack is so effective that it can get rid of wine stains from a white couch!
Simply combine one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and three tablespoons of liquid dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the stained area and let it sit for a while. Rub the area gently with a clean cloth and spray cold water. Blot with paper towels and let air dry.
4. With Club Soda
Club soda is an original hack to deal with red wine stains on upholstery. Just pour some soda over the stain and blot with a clean cloth. Continue to do that until the stain lightens or is completely gone.
These hacks work because the carbonation from club soda lifts the wine stain, making it much easier to remove.
Note: Dry the area properly after removing the stain to prevent future issues like mould growth.
5. With Rubbing Alcohol
If nothing else works, try rubbing alcohol for stain removal. Pour some of it on a sponge, start cleaning the stain from the outside and make your way towards the centre, working in a circular motion.
After some time, rinse the area with clean water and absorb the excess liquid with a clean cloth. Finally, let the spot dry without interruption. Repeat till the wine stain is no longer visible.
Bottom Line
Removing red wine stains is easy if you act quickly enough and use readily available items like baking soda, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and liquid dish soap.
However, before removing the stain, read the care label and test out every solution you use on a hidden spot on the couch. It will help you identify whether the solution causes any harm to your upholstery fabrics and protect them from discolouration and fading.
