How to Get Red Wine Stains Out of Your Couch, According to Experts

What better place to enjoy a glass of red wine at the end of the day than on a comfy couch? It’s the perfect spot for curling up with a book and a glass of Cabernet, but bringing wine to your cozy nook comes with its hazards. Anyone who has ever spilled red wine on their couch knows what a cleaning nightmare it poses. While you might foresee an inevitable glaring stain in your future, fear not: It turns out that with a little know-how and the right materials, red wine spills can be cleaned effectively and permanently. 

We consulted cleaning experts for their tried-and-true methods for how to clean red wine off of a couch. Read on to learn about a number of handy and effective ways to lift red wine from even the lightest and brightest of fabrics. 

Materials

• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide (for light-colored fabrics only)
• Table salt
• Mild dish soap
• Cold water
• Microfiber cloth or paper towels
• Spray bottle
• Soft-bristle brush
• Distilled water
• Vacuum cleaner (optional, for salt method)
• Fan (optional, for drying)

Identify Your Couch’s Material

Not all couches are created equal: Their materials, thread count, weave, and color vary widely. In choosing your method for cleaning, you will first want to locate the upholstery label for any details particular to your couch that you should be aware of.

“Always check the label to determine cleaning instructions,” advises Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid. “Use appropriate cleaning methods based on the cleaning code on the label to prevent permanent stains or damage,” she cautions. The stain removal method will also depend on how deep or stubborn the stain is. 

For cleaning guidelines, Mock notes these label symbols and breaks down their meaning:

• W: Use water to clean this fabric.
• S: Do not use water. Use a solvent-based cleaner on this fabric instead.
• WS: You may use water or a solvent-based cleaner on this fabric.
• X: Only vacuum or dry clean this fabric.

Method One: Salt and Club Soda

For most fabrics, a quick treatment with salt and club soda can undo the damage. To treat immediate stains, Mock recommends following this simple regimen:

1. First, gently blot the spill with a clean, absorbent cloth to remove as much wine as possible. Be careful not to rub, which will spread the stain and push it farther into the fabric.
2. Cover the stain with salt to absorb the wine and let it sit for 3-5 minutes.
3. Spray cold water or club soda over the stained area to flush the wine out.
4. Blot with a clean, white cloth. Repeat this step until the stain has lifted.

Method Two: Homemade Stain Remover

By combining three common household ingredients (baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap), you can create your own superb cleaning agent for lifting the darkest of wine stains. President and co-CEO at AspenClean, Alicia Sokolowski, recommends following these step-by-step instructions to rid your couch of unseemly red wine stains:

1. Gently blot the wine with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Avoid rubbing to prevent spreading.
2. Combine 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of mild dish soap in 1 cup of cold water.
3. Spray the mixture onto the stained area and blot gently with a clean microfiber cloth.
4. Sprinkle baking soda over the damp stain. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to absorb moisture and residue.
5. Once the baking soda is dry, gently brush it off and vacuum the area to remove any remaining powder. 

Method Three: Baking Soda Paste

For particularly stubborn stains, using baking soda paste is a popular method of removal. Kathy Turley, director of marketing at Home Clean Heroes, recommends making a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water and applying it to the stain. The paste should sit on the stain for 30 minutes, giving it a chance to work its magic. Then, wipe off the paste with a damp cloth, rinse, and blot dry. 

Method Four: Hydrogen Peroxide

After blotting the initial spill as much as possible with a clean, dry paper towel or a microfiber cloth, Turley recommends applying a solution of one part dishwashing liquid to two parts hydrogen peroxide. Test this solution on an inconspicuous section of the couch first, then apply it to the stain. (Hydrogen peroxide can bleach darker fabrics, so save this method for light-colored couches only.)

“Gently dab the solution with a clean cloth, working from the outside in, to prevent spreading the stain,” she instructs. Repeat as needed. Afterward, you’ll want to rinse the solution by dampening a separate clean cloth with cold water and blotting the area to remove any cleaning solution.

“Be sure not to soak the couch,” Turley says. A dry towel functions to blot excess moisture, but she advises using a fan to speed up the drying process. 

Method Five: Rubbing Alcohol

For microfiber couches or other materials with an "S" label, Mock uses rubbing alcohol and the following steps to treat red wine stains: 

1. Spray rubbing alcohol on the stained section.
2. Scrub gently with a clean white sponge or cloth.
3. The couch should dry quickly, as alcohol evaporates rapidly.
4. Once dry, brush fabric in a circular motion with a dry scrub brush to fluff the fabric.
5. If your couch is labeled ‘WS,” repeat the process with distilled water to remove stubborn stains.

Method Six: Plain Table Salt

There are times when a cleaning solution is simply not on hand. You might find yourself at a party or just plain out of the basics when the red wine hits the couch. In this case, “You can always try the good old salt trick,” says Turley. Sprinkle a generous amount of table salt on the spill and let sit for several hours until dry, then vacuum. Voilà!

Tips and Tricks for Removing and Preventing Red Wine Stains

1. Spot test first. “Always test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of the couch first to avoid damage or discoloration to the fabric,” advises Mock.
2. Act fast. Sokolowkski urges treating stains immediately to maximize your chances of complete removal.
3. Reuse materials. Opt for washable microfiber cloths instead of disposable paper towels, advises Sokolowski.
4. To remove any lingering odors, sprinkle baking soda over the stain and let it sit for several hours before vacuuming it up. 
5. Consider steam cleaning. If homemade stain removal solutions don’t do the trick, using an upholstery steam cleaner may help. Steam cleaning penetrates fabric layers and helps to lift stains and remove dirt, bacteria, and odors. 
6. Machine wash removable covers. Many removable couch cushions are machine washable. Zipping off the stained cushion covers and following the washing instructions on the label may be the easiest way to treat the stain, says Mock.
7. Apply a protectant. It’s a good idea to apply a protectant, such as Scotchgard, to your furniture to help prevent spills from setting in and staining your furniture, notes Turley. Check the label or care instructions before applying, as its efficacy and safety is extremely material-specific.