How to Get Wine Stains Out of Upholstery and Sofa
Wine stains — particularly red wine — are tannin stains that can set permanently if treated incorrectly. The most common mistakes are rubbing the stain (which spreads and embeds it) and using hot water (which sets the tannin permanently). Here's the correct approach.
Red Wine — Immediate Action
- Blot immediately — press a clean dry cloth firmly onto the spill and lift straight up. The goal is to absorb as much wine as possible before it penetrates the upholstery fibers. Use multiple clean cloths as they become saturated.
- Apply club soda or cold water and blot again — the carbonation in club soda helps lift the wine pigment
- Apply a small amount of dish soap to the stain and gently work it in — do not scrub
- Allow 5 minutes
- Blot with a clean cold damp cloth
- Apply white vinegar (1 tablespoon) and blot — the acidity helps lift tannin stains
- Rinse by blotting with cold water and blot dry
OxiClean or Hydrogen Peroxide (For Remaining Colour)
- If red wine colour remains after the initial treatment, apply OxiClean carpet and upholstery spray or a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
- Test in an inconspicuous area first — hydrogen peroxide can lighten some fabric colours
- Apply, allow 5 minutes, blot, rinse
White Wine
White wine is easier to remove than red because it doesn't contain the dark pigment. Blot immediately, treat with cold water and dish soap, blot, and rinse. If you use white wine immediately after a red wine spill (a common folk remedy), it does help by diluting the red wine — but follow up with the dish soap and cold water treatment.
Dried Red Wine Stains
- Rehydrate by applying cold water and blotting — this makes dried tannin stains more treatable
- Apply OxiClean or an enzyme upholstery cleaner
- Allow 15–30 minutes dwell time
- Blot and rinse
- Dried red wine is significantly harder to fully remove than a fresh stain — multiple treatments may be needed
Upholstery Cleaning Codes
Check the cleaning code on the tag under your sofa cushion:
- W: Water-based cleaners safe (most common)
- S: Solvent-based cleaners only — no water (use a dry-cleaning solvent)
- W-S: Either is safe
- X: Vacuum only — no liquid cleaners
Book a Maidless deep clean at maidless.ca — 4.9★, 100+ reviews, vetted cleaners across Toronto.