How to Get Stains Out of a Sofa

Struggling to scrub your toddler’s felt tip ink stains from your new sofa — or trying to clean up the merlot spilled from your guests’ glasses? At Oswald & Pablo, we know that removing stains from sofa fabric can be tricky. Over the years, we’ve acquired a wealth of knowledge on how to get stains out of a sofa — whether that’s one of our bespoke Chesterfield sofas, a design made to order, or our signature collection sofas and chairs. 

How can I get stains out of my sofa?

Tackling sofa stains can be stressful. The good news? The majority of stains can be removed by using what you likely already have in your kitchen cupboards: including baking soda, salt, white wine (yes, really), clothing stain remover, rubbing alcohol, or washing up liquid. 

As a general rule, it’s best to remove stains as quickly as possible to prevent them from spreading or seeping further into the fabric. So delve under your kitchen sink, find your cleaning supplies — and your sofa will be pristine again in no time. 

A word of caution before you begin: your cleaning method may be dictated by the fabric of your sofa — for example, not all leather sofas take well to water-based cleaning, so it’s best to check by doing a patch test first. 

How to get red wine out of sofa

It’s everyone’s worst nightmare: you’re sitting on the sofa with a glass of shiraz, something jolts you — maybe your cat, a friend, or a scary movie — and wine is spilt everywhere. Thankfully, at Oswald & Pablo, we have years of experience in knowing how to get red wine out of a sofa — here’s how to do it. 

Before you try any of the methods below, it’s a good idea to grab a paper towel or clean cloth to pat the area dry and soak up any excess wine first (try not to rub — it will make it worse). Don’t have any of the supplies listed below? The best thing to do is apply salt to the stain; this helps absorb as much of it as possible until you can stock up on cleaning products. 

How to get red wine out of sofa with clothing stain remover

Clothing stain remover is one of the best ways to clean up red wine sofa stains. Spray the stain remover onto the area, leave for a few seconds (or for the specified time on the label), and then pat dry with a clean cloth. This works best when the stain hasn’t seeped in — so act quickly.

How to get red wine out of sofa with white wine

A little-known secret from us to you: white wine can be incredibly effective in removing red wine stains. Simply pour a little of the white wine onto the fabric, leave for a few minutes, and then blot dry with a clean cloth — its enzymes will help to neutralise the red, clearing up any discolouration. Magic!

How to get red wine out of sofa with baking soda

Baking soda is the secret weapon of cleaning products — especially when mixed with white vinegar. Pour baking soda over the red wine stain, and then coat the powder with vinegar until it froths. After a few minutes, clean up with a damp cloth. 

How to remove chocolate stains from sofa

Accidentally spilled chocolate on the sofa during a movie night? Here’s how to remove chocolate stains from your sofa without damaging the fabric. 

How to remove chocolate stains from sofa with dry cleaning solvent

Using a plastic spoon, remove what you can of the dried chocolate. Then mix one tablespoon of washing up liquid with two cups of water. Using a cloth, apply the solution to the stain gently until it begins to fade. Work from the outside of the stain to the inside: this way you won’t allow it to spread. After drying, apply a few drops of dry cleaning solvent to the area, and blot with a cloth until the stain has been removed.

How to get biro out of fabric sofa

Biro stains on a fabric sofa can be notoriously tricky to remove. Whether you’ve got rubbing alcohol, hairspray, or white vinegar to hand, here’s what the team at Oswald & Pablo have learned on how to get biro out of a fabric sofa. 

Using the rubbing alcohol or white vinegar methods? Make sure you test the solutions on a patch of your sofa first to make sure it doesn’t cause any discolouration. 

How to get biro out of fabric sofa with rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is the perfect stain remover for fabric sofas without damaging the fibres. Apply it to the biro stain with a clean white cloth until all the ink is absorbed. Dip another cloth in water and wipe the area clean. 

How to get biro out of fabric sofa with hairspray

Hairspray isn’t just for fixing your hair. Time to investigate your bathroom cabinet: select an alcohol-based hairspray and spray it directly onto the biro stain. After thirty seconds, wipe the stain with a damp cloth, and repeat as many times as necessary.

How to get biro out of fabric sofa with white vinegar

Combine 1tbsp washing up liquid, 2tsp white vinegar and 250ml water: this is your solution. Apply it to the stain with a clean white cloth, and leave it for around ten minutes. When you wipe the area clean with a damp cloth, the stain should be gone. 

How to remove water stains from sofa

Not as garish as red wine, but frustrating all the same. Before you begin, we recommend vacuuming the area to clear any excess dirt — you don’t want to end up making the stain worse! Here’s how to remove water stains from your sofa easily. 

How to remove water stains from sofa with a steam cleaner

Steam is one of the most effective methods of cleaning: the steam helps dirt particles loosen and provides a smooth, polished finish to your upholstery. 

How to remove water stains from sofa with liquid soap

Don’t have a steam cleaner? Don’t worry — liquid soap is gentle and, when mixed with water to make a solution, is perfect for removing water stains. Apply a little with a microfibre cloth and dab gently. After the stain is removed, pat dry with a clean cloth or towel.