How to remove red wine from a light sofa

The do’s, the don’ts, and when to stop dabbing and call a specialist.

A glass of red on a pale sofa is a heart-stopping moment, but speed matters more than panic. Blot — never rub — with a clean, dry cloth to lift as much as you can before it sets.

Avoid hot water and standard soap, which can set the stain permanently. A little cold water and patience is safer. What you should not do is scrub: it pushes the pigment deeper into the fibres.

If the stain has dried or spread, stop. Home remedies often make professional removal harder. A specialist steam treatment can lift what dabbing cannot — and on a light sofa, that is usually the safest call.