← All posts
25 Aug 2026
Getting stains out of a sofa: what to do in the first five minutes
The first few minutes decide whether a spill becomes a stain. Here is what to do, and what not to do.
Do
- Blot with a clean, dry white cloth. Press, do not rub.
- Work from the outside of the spill towards the centre.
- Use cold water only, a little at a time.
Do not
- Rub the fabric. It pushes the stain deeper and damages the fibres.
- Use hot water. Heat sets protein stains like milk, blood and egg.
- Try a random household cleaner. Many bleach or leave rings.
If the mark is still there once the area dries, book a sofa cleaning and mention the stain in the notes. We pre-treat it before the main clean.