PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

Enjoying your night in with some TV and red wine, but had a little accident? Don’t worry—we’ve all been there. The stains from your red wine may look scary on the couch fabric, but they’re not as permanent as they seem. We’ve compiled a list of methods you can try with easily accessible household items—including lots of different combinations, depending on what you own—so grab those towels, head to your kitchen, and get started!

  1. The salt will dry the stain and leach the red wine from the couch. Vacuum up the salt once it’s dry⁠—you can even let it sit to the next day. You can repeat this method as needed. [1]
    • The salt method tends to work better on fresh stains.
    • Make sure to blot up or flush the wet stain with cool water before applying the salt ⁠—this will help the salt sink in better.
    • Patch-test this solution on an inconspicuous part of the couch first to avoid any possible damage.
  2. Advertisement
2

Baking soda

PDF download Download Article
  1. It works similarly to salt, as it is a dry substance that can help leach the red wine from the couch. Rub a generous amount of baking soda into the stain and leave it alone to let it settle in. The next day—or once it’s dry—vacuum up the baking soda. Repeat this method as needed. [2]
    • You can either apply just baking soda or make a paste. To make a paste, mix 1 part baking soda with 3 parts water.
3

Baking soda with white vinegar

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Red Wine Out of a Couch
    This is because it removes the acidic portion of the wine. You can make a paste by combining 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of white vinegar with 1/4 cup (57.6 grams) of baking soda. Rub the paste thoroughly into the stain and allow it to settle in.0 4/24/24 Vacuum up the salt once it’s dry⁠, or on the next day. [3]
    • If you don’t have baking soda, you can replace it with salt!
  2. Advertisement
4

Dishwashing liquid

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Red Wine Out of a Couch
    Just combine 0.5 teaspoons (2.5 mL) of liquid dishwashing detergent with 2 cups (470 mL) of water. Apply the solution to a sponge and soak the stain with it. Then, blot up the stain before sponging again with cool water and blotting dry. [4]
    • Though this method is liquid based, you will still want to blot up the wet stain before applying the detergent.
5

Dishwashing liquid with hydrogen peroxide

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Red Wine Out of a Couch
    This combination is easy to make: mix 3 parts of hydrogen peroxide with 1 part dishwashing liquid and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for up to an hour, and then wipe it up with a cloth or paper towel. The stain may wash out more easily after this. [5]
    • Because hydrogen peroxide is a powerful and corrosive chemical, handle it with care and wear gloves!
    • Hydrogen peroxide is also a mild bleach, so perform a patch test on an inconspicuous area of the couch first if possible. Check to make sure that the fabric doesn’t fade.
  2. Advertisement
6

Club soda

PDF download Download Article
  1. Pour the club soda onto the stain and let it sit for a couple minutes. Then blot it up, and repeat as needed until the stain is lighter or gone. Make sure to dry the area completely to prevent any water damage or streaking. [6]
7

Club soda with hydrogen peroxide

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Red Wine Out of a Couch
    Mix together 2 parts club soda and 1 part hydrogen peroxide to boost stain removal. First, spray or apply the hydrogen peroxide over the stain. Then, sprinkle the baking soda on top. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off. [7]
    • Consider performing a patch test on a more hidden area of the couch.
    • If your couch is made of silk, use hydrogen peroxide as a last resort, as silk is an especially delicate fabric. [8]
  2. Advertisement
8

Rubbing alcohol

PDF download Download Article
  1. Blot from the outside towards the center of the stain. Then, rinse the area well. If you are able to remove the couch covers or upholstery, launder the fabric. Otherwise, let it air dry. [9]
    • Patch-test a hidden area of the couch first.
9

Special wine stain remover

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Red Wine Out of a Couch
    These will be formulated with specialized chemicals that may do the trick for really stubborn spots.
  2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Before applying solutions, soak up as much of the wet stain as possible with a clean cloth or paper towel. Don’t rub or scrub the stain, as this might cause it to spread and make it even harder to remove! Use a white cloth to more easily see if the method is working. [10]
      • Clean the stain as soon as possible, as stains become harder to clean as they get older. [11]
      • Stains will also oxidize with heat and set faster, so rinse off solutions with cool water. [12]
      Show More Tips


      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning, check out our in-depth interview with Alessandra Mendes .

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 35,934 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement