The Christmas Stain Removal Guide
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5 hours ago
Tips for fuss-free festivities
Gearing up for Christmas party season? While there’s nothing better than donning some sequins, popping a bottle of fizz and flinging open the doors to your nearest and dearest, there’s always the prospect of a few spills and stains whenever canapés and drinks are passed around. So, in the spirit of a stain-free Christmas, here are some handy tips on how to remove common festive stains from your upholstery.
How To Remove Stains From Your Upholstery: A Definitive Guide
There’s nothing that dampens the party mood quite like realising you’ve stained your sofa (or your favourite festive outfit). And since different stains can require an individual plan of action, it’s tricky to know where to start when it comes to removing them.
According to Paulina Wojas, upholstery expert at Stunning Chairs, ‘quick and careful treatment’ is the most important thing. ‘Always start by blotting gently – without rubbing, to prevent pushing stains deeper into the fabric. Test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area before treating visible spots, and use gentle tools like a soft cloth, sponge, or brush to protect the upholstery’s texture.’ Sound straightforward? Here’s how to remove some of the most common Christmas stains from your upholstery.
Red Wine, Mulled Wine & Spiced Cider
Top Tip: Use a clean white cloth
What You’ll Need: Mild washing up liquid; white vinegar
Red wine stains are common at Christmas gatherings, and drinks like mulled wine leave particularly stubborn stains due to their temperature and deep colour. As a starting point, Paulina advises ‘blotting the stain with a clean white cloth to absorb as much liquid as possible. Prepare a solution of mild washing-up liquid and cold water, dampen a cloth, and gently dab the stain. For tough stains, a small amount of white vinegar can help lift the deeper pigments. Rinse with a damp cloth, then blot dry to preserve the fabric’s appearance.’
Gravy & Rich Sauces
Top Tip: Blot, treat, then let the solution sit before removing
What You’ll Need: Cornflour or bicarbonate of soda; washing-up liquid
‘Greasy sauces and gravy are Christmas favourites that can leave oily stains on upholstery,’ says Paulina. ‘Blot any excess without pressing hard, then sprinkle bicarbonate of soda or cornflour over the stain to absorb oils. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then gently brush or vacuum off. Dab with a mild washing-up liquid solution, rinse with a damp cloth, and blot dry to keep upholstery looking clean.’
Christmas Pudding & Mince Pies
Top Tip: Scrape off food carefully before treating the stain
What You’ll Need: Washing-up liquid
‘Rich in fruit and spices, Christmas pudding and mince pies can leave sticky stains on upholstery,’ says Paulina. ‘Carefully scrape off any solid bits, then blot with a damp cloth. Apply a mild washing-up liquid solution and dab gently. Rinse with a fresh damp cloth and blot dry to lift the stain.’
Hot Chocolate
Top Tip: Use a cold, damp cloth
What You’ll Need: Washing-up liquid
‘First, blot excess hot chocolate with a clean, cold, damp cloth,’ says Paulina. ‘Apply a small amount of mild washing-up liquid to the cloth and gently dab, taking care not to oversaturate. Rinse with a fresh, damp cloth, then blot dry to avoid watermarks and maintain the fabric’s texture.’
Cranberry Sauce
Top Tip: Begin at the edge of the stain and work towards the middle
What You’ll Need: Washing-up liquid
‘Cranberry sauce can leave vivid stains,’ warns Paulina. ‘Blot with a clean white cloth to absorb the excess, then use a solution of washing-up liquid and cold water to dab at the stain, working from the edges toward the centre. Avoid warm water, as it can set the stain. Rinse with a damp cloth, then blot dry to protect the fabric’s colour and texture.’
Christmas Tree Sap
Top Tip: Apply solution with a cotton ball
What You’ll Need: Surgical spirits
If trees or wreaths have left marks or stains on your upholstery, remove them using ‘a small amount of surgical spirit on a cotton ball to dab at each stain, dissolving it without spreading,’ Paulina explains. ‘Once removed, blot with a cold, damp cloth to clear any residue, then blot dry to keep upholstery free from sticky spots.’
Soot & Ash
Top Tip: Use a vacuum cleaner to lift the stain
What You’ll Need: A mild soap solution
Struggling with dark soot stains from your fireplace (or your Christmas candles)? ‘Avoid rubbing, as this may embed the particles,’ advises Paulina. ‘Instead, gently vacuum or lift as much residue as possible, then use a mild soap solution on a cloth to dab at the remaining stain. Rinse with a damp cloth, then blot dry to keep upholstery clean and free from smears.’
Candle Wax
Top Tip: Wait for wax to harden on your upholstery before removing it
What You’ll Need: Paper towels and a warm iron
‘If candle wax drips onto upholstery, wait for it to harden fully before removal,’ says Paulina. ‘Gently scrape away excess wax with a dull tool like a spoon, then place a paper towel over the remaining wax and use a warm iron to absorb it. Rotate the paper towel to a clean area as the wax transfers. Once done, blot with a damp cloth to remove residue.’
Lipstick & Makeup
Top Tip: Apply solution with a cotton ball
What You’ll Need: Surgical spirits
‘Dab makeup stains with a cotton ball lightly soaked in surgical spirit, lifting without rubbing to avoid spreading,’ Paulina instructs. ‘Once the stain begins to lift, blot with a cold, damp cloth to remove any residue, then blot dry with a new cloth.’
Chocolate Truffles & Fudge
Top Tip: Carefully scrape away solids before removing the stain
What You’ll Need: Bicarbonate of soda; washing-up liquid
‘Rich chocolates can leave greasy stains,’ notes Paulina. ‘Scrape away any solid chocolate, then blot with a cold, damp cloth. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda to absorb oils, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it off. Dab with a mild washing-up liquid solution, rinse, and blot dry to restore the upholstery.’
Baileys & Cream Liqueurs
Top Tip: Avoid wetting the stain too much
What You’ll Need: An enzyme cleaner or mild washing-up liquid
Worried about upholstery stains left by your post-Christmas-dinner tipple? ‘Oily stains are often left by cream-based drinks like Baileys,’ says Paulina. ‘Blot any excess liquid with a clean cloth, then apply an enzyme cleaner or mild washing-up liquid. Dab gently, avoiding excessive wetting. Rinse with a damp cloth and blot dry to remove the stain without harming the fabric.’
