Spilled something on the sofa? From blood and ink to pet accidents and grease, here's how to tackle the most common couch stains with simple ingredients you already have at home.

Between the kids' juice spills, the dog's latest accident, and that coffee you knocked over during the morning rush — couch stains are practically a rite of passage for busy Australian families. The good news? Most common stains come out with [natural cleaning ingredients](/cleaning-101/sustainability/green-cleaning-101-how-to-make-use-natural-cleaning-solutions) you probably already have in the pantry.

**Quick Answer:** To remove common couch stains, always blot (never rub) the fresh spill first, then check your sofa's cleaning code label. Use the right method for the stain type: cold water and hydrogen peroxide for blood, rubbing alcohol for ink, dish soap for grease, and a vinegar-water solution for pet accidents. Always spot-test any cleaner on a hidden area first.

Before You Start: Check Your Cleaning Code

Before reaching for any cleaning product, flip your sofa cushions and look for a small tag. Most upholstered furniture has a [cleaning code label](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laundry_symbol) that tells you exactly what's safe to use.

Here's what each code means:

**W** — Safe to clean with water-based products
**S** — Requires dry solvent cleaning only
**SW** — Both water and solvent cleaners are safe
**X** — Vacuum only — no water or solvents (professional cleaning recommended)

If you can't find a label, do a spot test on a hidden area — like the underside of a cushion — and wait 24 hours before proceeding. As the [IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification)](https://iicrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tip-Sheet-Upholstery.pdf) advises, "pre-test for colourfastness in an inconspicuous area first."

The Golden Rule: Blot, Don't Rub

No matter the stain, the first step is always the same — and it's the one most people get wrong.

**Blot. Don't rub.**

Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fabric fibres and can spread it further. The [IICRC S300 Standard for Professional Upholstery Cleaning](https://iicrc.org/s300/) warns that "aggressive use of agitation and finishing tools can result in damage to upholstery fibres and weaves."

Here's the right approach for any fresh spill:

Grab clean paper towels or a white cloth. Press down firmly to absorb as much liquid as possible.
Work from the **outside edges** toward the centre of the stain to prevent spreading.
If you have a fabric stain remover handy, apply a small amount to the centre and gently work it in with your finger.
Blot again to remove excess moisture.
Allow 15–20 minutes for the product to work before rinsing with a damp cloth.

How to Remove Blood Stains from a Couch

**What you'll need:** Cold water, 3% hydrogen peroxide, a clean towel, a soft toothbrush.

**⚠️ Safety note:** Always use **cold water** for blood stains. Hot water sets blood proteins into the fabric permanently. — [University of Georgia, Family & Consumer Sciences](https://www.fcs.uga.edu/extension/stain-removal-blood)

Dampen a clean cloth with cold water and press it onto the stain.
Mix equal parts cold water and **3% hydrogen peroxide** in a bowl. Apply the solution to the stain with a spoon, keeping it within the stain's outline.
Use a soft toothbrush to gently work the solution into the fabric in small circular motions. Rinse the brush if blood transfers to the bristles.
Blot with a dry towel to lift what remains.
Rinse with a damp cloth — don't leave hydrogen peroxide on the fabric too long, as it can lighten coloured upholstery.
Allow to air-dry. Repeat if needed once the area is completely dry.

**Tip:** Hydrogen peroxide is most effective on fresh blood. For dried stains, dampen the area with cold water first and let it sit for a few minutes before applying the solution.

How to Remove Ink Stains from a Couch

**What you'll need:** Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), a clean muslin or white cotton cloth, paper towels.

**Important:** Skip the general pretreatment steps for ink — water can spread the ink further.

Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto your cloth (never directly onto the fabric). Dab the ink stain repeatedly — no rubbing, no scrubbing.
As ink transfers to the cloth, switch to a clean section. This prevents redepositing ink onto the sofa.
Blot with a dry towel periodically to keep the area from becoming too saturated.
Once the stain has faded significantly, rinse with a damp cloth and air-dry.
For any remaining shadow, apply a small amount of fabric stain remover, gently work it in with a toothbrush, and rinse after 15 minutes.

**Patience is key here.** Rubbing alcohol breaks down the oils and dyes in ballpoint, gel, and rollerball inks — but it takes time, especially on dried stains.

How to Remove Nail Polish Stains from a Couch

**What you'll need:** Acetone-free nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol, a butter knife, paper towels, a dry-cleaning solvent (for finishing).

**⚠️ Safety note:** Acetone can dissolve certain fabrics including acetate, triacetate, and modacrylic, and will damage leather finishes. Always use **acetone-free** nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol instead. Work in a well-ventilated area. — [Fibrenew Leather & Vinyl Restoration](https://www.fibrenew.com/blog/nail-polish-remover-on-leather/)

If any polish has hardened, gently scrape it off with a butter knife. Avoid pressing too hard.
Apply a few drops of acetone-free nail polish remover (or rubbing alcohol) to a clean cloth and blot the stain. Use a fresh section of cloth as colour lifts.
Once most of the polish is gone, switch to a dry-cleaning solvent on a clean sponge. Dab — don't scrub — to lift any remaining colour.
Rinse with a damp cloth and allow to air-dry.

**Always do a colourfastness test first** — apply your chosen product to a hidden area and wait 24 hours.

How to Remove Pet Urine Stains from a Couch

**What you'll need:** White vinegar, water, baking soda, clean towels, and ideally an enzymatic cleaner.

You might have tried the vinegar-and-water approach before and found the stain (or smell) came back. That's because vinegar alone can't break down uric acid crystals — the compounds responsible for that lingering odour. According to [Rover.com's science review](https://www.rover.com/blog/do-enzymatic-cleaners-work/), "only an enzymatic cleaner can fully break down organic pet stains and odours."

Here's the two-step approach that actually works:

Blot up as much moisture as possible with paper towels. For dried stains, dampen the area first.
Mix **equal parts white vinegar and water**. Soak a clean cloth in the solution, wring it out, and wipe over the stain with light scrubbing.
Sprinkle a thin layer of **baking soda** over the area and leave it to dry. Baking soda neutralises odours through adsorption — trapping and absorbing odour molecules.
Once dry, vacuum up the baking soda or wipe it away with a damp cloth.
**For stubborn odours**, follow up with an enzymatic cleaner like **Enzyme Wizard** (available at Woolworths) or **Rufus & Coco Wee Away** (available at Coles and Woolworths). These products break down organic compounds at a molecular level.

**⚠️ Safety note:** Avoid steam-cleaning pet urine stains. Heat can set the stain into the fabric and make the odour worse.

If the stain has reached the floor underneath, our guide on [how to remove pet pee odour from floor tiles and carpet](/cleaning-101/floors-surfaces/how-to-remove-pet-pee-odour-from-floor-tiles-and-carpet) covers that next step.

How to Remove Grease and Oil Stains from a Couch

**What you'll need:** A butter knife or spoon, liquid dish soap, clean towels, paper towels. For stubborn stains: household ammonia.

Scrape away any hardened or dried grease with a butter knife.
Apply a small amount of **liquid dish soap** directly to the stain. Spread it gently with your finger to cover the affected area.
Use a toothbrush to work the soap into the fabric in gentle circular motions, starting from the edges and moving inward.
Blot with paper towels, then rinse with a damp cloth.
If the stain persists, mix **equal parts water and household ammonia**, dip a cloth into the solution, wring it out, and gently work it over the remaining stain.
Rinse thoroughly with a damp cloth and air-dry.

**⚠️ Safety note:** Never mix ammonia with bleach — the combination produces toxic chloramine gas that can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and in serious cases, loss of consciousness. Wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. — [Washington State Department of Health](https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/contaminants/bleach-mixing-dangers)

How to Remove Food and Drink Stains from a Couch

**What you'll need:** Liquid dish soap, water, a sponge, paper towels.

This method works for most everyday spills — coffee, tea, juice, ketchup, and salad dressing.

Mix warm water with a squeeze of **liquid dish soap**. Adjust the strength based on the stain's severity.
Dip a sponge into the solution, squeeze out the excess, and gently dab the stain. Avoid soaking the fabric.
Blot with paper towels to absorb moisture, then repeat until the stain disappears.
Rinse the area with a clean damp cloth and leave to air-dry.

For tannin-based stains (coffee, tea, red wine), act quickly — these set faster than other food stains. If the stain has already dried, dampen it with cold water before applying the soapy solution. For stains that have reached the [carpet underneath your couch](/cleaning-101/stains/if-youve-got-a-carpet-stain-weve-got-a-cleaning-solution), a slightly different approach works better.

When to Call a Professional

Some stains are simply beyond what DIY methods can handle. As cleaning professional Asya Biddle of [The Dust Busters](https://www.homeadvisor.com/) notes, "If the stain on your upholstery is large or set in, the best option is to hire a professional."

Consider professional upholstery cleaning if:

Your sofa has an **X cleaning code**
The stain covers a large area or has soaked through to the padding
You've tried multiple methods without success
The fabric is delicate (silk, velvet, or antique upholstery)

In Australia, you can hire upholstery cleaning machines from the **Bunnings Hire Shop** (look for Britex machines) or book a specialist upholstery cleaner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do you get old, set-in stains out of a couch?

Old stains need more patience. Dampen the area with cold water first, then apply your chosen cleaning solution and let it sit for 15–20 minutes before blotting. You may need to repeat the process two or three times. For deeply set stains, a product like **Britex Spot 'n' Stain** from Bunnings can help break down the stain at a deeper level.

Q: Can I use vinegar to clean any couch stain?

White vinegar works well for fresh pet urine and general odours, but it's not a universal stain remover. It won't effectively remove ink, nail polish, or grease stains. For pet urine specifically, vinegar is a good first step but an enzymatic cleaner is more effective for eliminating the odour completely.

Q: Is it safe to use hydrogen peroxide on coloured upholstery?

Hydrogen peroxide (3% household strength) can lighten or bleach coloured fabrics. Always spot-test on a hidden area first and wait 24 hours before using it on a visible section. It's most reliable on white or light-coloured upholstery.

Q: What's the best way to prevent couch stains in the first place?

Consider fabric protector sprays (like Scotchgard) for high-traffic sofas. Machine-washable slipcovers are a practical option for families with young kids or pets. Keep a roll of paper towels within reach — the faster you blot a fresh spill, the less likely it is to set.

Q: Can I use baking soda to remove couch stains?

Baking soda is excellent for absorbing odours and fresh liquid spills, but it works best as a supporting step rather than a primary stain remover. Sprinkle it over a damp stain after applying your cleaning solution, let it dry, then vacuum it up.

Sources & References

**IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification)** — [S300 Standard for Professional Upholstery Cleaning](https://iicrc.org/s300/) and [Consumer Upholstery Tip Sheet](https://iicrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tip-Sheet-Upholstery.pdf). Referenced for blotting technique, colourfastness testing, and professional cleaning standards.
**University of Georgia, Family & Consumer Sciences** — [Stain Removal: Blood](https://www.fcs.uga.edu/extension/stain-removal-blood). Referenced for hydrogen peroxide effectiveness on blood protein stains and cold water recommendation.
**Washington State Department of Health** — [Dangers of Mixing Bleach with Cleaners](https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/contaminants/bleach-mixing-dangers). Referenced for ammonia-bleach safety warning.
**Rover.com** — [Do Enzymatic Cleaners Work?](https://www.rover.com/blog/do-enzymatic-cleaners-work/). Referenced for enzymatic cleaner science and why vinegar alone doesn't fully break down pet urine.
**Fibrenew Leather & Vinyl Restoration** — [Nail Polish Remover on Leather](https://www.fibrenew.com/blog/nail-polish-remover-on-leather/). Referenced for acetone damage warnings on certain fabrics and finishes.
**Asya Biddle**, Manager, The Dust Busters — via [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/). Cited for professional cleaning recommendation on large or set-in stains.

*If keeping on top of stains feels like one thing too many, our friendly team is always here to help.*

*Care for your home. Respect for the people behind every clean.*

How to Remove Common Couch Stains: A Step-by-Step Guide