At some point, virtually every dinner party host and red wine enthusiast has to deal with the dreaded wine spill. Whether the offending liquid stains your grandmother’s antique white tablecloth or your white sofa, the need for a tried-and-true stain removal method is critical. As every fabric reacts to stains differently, no stain removal method is guaranteed to remove red wine 100 percent of the time. A quick reaction, however, and knowing which products to use helps improve the likelihood of the couch coming clean.
Fabric Test Warning
Before using any cleaning product on your upholstered sofa, conduct a fabric test. On a small, inconspicuous area of the furniture, test the products you intend to use so they won’t discolor the white sofa. Wait two to three hours after testing to ensure no lasting effects or damage to the sofa’s upholstery. Read any manufacturer’s information concerning cleaning methods.
White Wine and Salt
Though it may sound a bit odd to some, items found in your kitchen cupboards and wine fridge may be the best items for combating a red wine stain on your white sofa. According to the housecleaning specialists at Mrs. Clean USA, white wine and table salt help remove red wine stains.
- Begin by blotting the stain to remove as much as possible with a clean, white paper towel.
- Next, sprinkle chilled white wine or cool water onto the stain.
- Apply table salt to the white wine and the stain.
- Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes to absorb the stain.
- Use 2 cups of hot water mixed with 1 tbsp. of mild laundry detergent to rinse the stained area.
- Allow to air dry and repeat if necessary.
Dish Detergent
On occasion, the spill is overlooked, and the party host fails to notice it until the following day. In these cases, the experts at Good Housekeeping recommend making a cleaning solution of liquid dish detergent and cool water. Mix 1 tbsp. Of dish soap with 2 cups of cool water, then use a sponge to dab it onto the stain. Using clean, white paper towels or rags, blot the stain until it disappears. Rinse with hot water and allow to air dry.
Dry-Cleaning Solvent
In some cases, upholstered sofas don’t respond to any home cleaning methods. When the manufacturer’s guidelines recommend dry cleaning only, purchase a dry-cleaning solvent. Read the solvent’s label to determine if a particular product works on the couch’s fabric and red wine stains. Apply the product according to the instructions on the label.
