We offer a guide on how to remove red wine from upholstery, for minimising the damage if a glass of red ends up being spilled on your couch or favourite chair.
What’s special about red wine stains on upholstery
Rosé and red wines owe their colour to plant pigments called anthocyanins, which are present in grapes and berries.
These pigments stain and are a challenge to remove, especially from light coloured or sensitive upholstery.
Why treating red wine stains can turn them blue
You may have tackled a red wine spill with a sprinkling of baking soda only to find the stain changed from red to a “bruise” blue – not the intended result.
Why the red to blue transition? It’s caused by a chemical reaction between the anthocyanins and the alkaline-heavy baking soda.
Anthocyanins are nature’s pH indicators. In acidic or low pH conditions, typical of wine, they exhibit a red colour.
When they come into contact with an alkaline or high pH substance, like baking soda, the pigment displays a blue or blueish-violet colour.
The lesson here? Avoid treating red wine stains with baking soda.
The best method for removing red wine from upholstery
Fortunately, there are DIY stain removal solutions that are effective at removing red wine from just about any type of upholstery fabric.
The ingredients you use depend on whether the spill is fresh or dried into the fabric.
Stain removal tips for fresh wine stains
If someone has spilled red wine on the sofa, grab a bottle of soda water, the salt shaker and a roll of paper towels.
Dab the stain repeatedly with a paper towel to absorb as much moisture as possible. Pour the soda sparingly over the stain to dilute it, and cover the entire area with salt.
Press the salt into the fabric, leave it on overnight and then vacuum it up. You should be pleasantly surprised at the result.
Removing an old or stubborn red wine stain from a couch
A red wine stain that has set and penetrated the fibres of the upholstery material requires a different technique. This applies to blemishes that are immune to the salt and soda trick.
The key ingredients are a solution of one part dishwashing liquid with three parts hydrogen peroxide, which you drizzle on the stain and leave to soak.
If all goes according to plan, the stain disappears as the solution evaporates. If not, you can reapply the solution until it does.
Stain removal do’s and don’ts for upholstery
If you want to avoid damaging the upholstery, here are few pointers to keep in mind.
Do treat the stain quickly and opt for natural stain removal solutions, like soda and salt over harsh chemicals and detergents.
Do blot a red wine stain rather than rubbing it. That way you absorb the liquid without forcing it deeper into the upholstery fibres.
Don’t saturate the fabric with soda or other stain removal agents. Apply the solution sparingly so that the upholstery can dry easily.
What about red wine on carpeting?
Contrary to popular opinion, removing red wine from carpet isn’t difficult. It involves a similar process and cleaning agents to our DIY red wine stain removal tips for upholstery.
Professional cleaning of upholstery in Cape Town
The combination of immediately treating a red wine stain and, if this isn’t fully effective, following up with expert deep cleaning gives the best possible outcome.
Brightening up upholstery is a good option in the winter months. It helps to create a pleasant environment for those extended hours spent indoors.
