How to Remove Beer Stains from Upholstery

Michelle asked, “Spilled beer on the couch. Suggestions on how to clean it?”

Table of Contents:

Removing Fresh Beer Stains
Removing Old Beer Stains
Additional Tips and Advice
Sources

It is never a party until something is spilled, but when it is on your couch, it is no fun! The best course of action is to act quickly and not let the spill dry. Always test a cleaning solution for furniture on a small out-of-the-way area before attempting to clean the spill.

Removing Fresh Beer Stains

Fresh beer spills are usually easy to clean.¹ Follow the steps below as soon as possible whenever beer is spilled on upholstery.

You Will Need:

Water
Club soda
White vinegar
Dishwashing liquid

Steps to Remove the Fresh Beer Spill:

Soak up any excess liquid with a cloth or paper towels.
Sponge a fresh spill thoroughly with clear lukewarm water² or club soda.³
Blot the area with a clean dry cloth.
Repeat until the beer is removed.
For stubborn stains, sponge the area with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water², or with a solution of water and several drops of dishwashing liquid.³
Rinse with clear water by sponging thoroughly.³
Allow the area to air dry. Do not dry with hot air unless you are absolutely sure the stain is gone. Hot air can make the stain permanent.¹

Removing Old Beer Stains

The older a beer stain is, the more likely it is to have caused permanent damage.¹ However, the steps below can sometimes remove the beer stain.

You Will Need:

Water
White vinegar
Dishwashing liquid
Turpentine

Steps to Remove the Old Beer Stain:

Sponge the area with cool water to freshen the stain.¹
Combine equal parts white vinegar and dish liquid, and sponge the area with the mixture.³
Rinse with clear water by sponging thoroughly.³
Blot wet spot with clean dry cloth and then let air dry. Do not dry with hot air unless you are absolutely sure the stain is gone. Hot air can make the stain permanent.¹
If the stain is stubborn, sponge it with turpentine, then rinse the area thoroughly.2

Additional Tips and Advice

For microfiber upholstery, there may be a water stain left after cleaning. If so, follow the information in the guide How to Remove Watermarks on Microfiber Upholstery.
Due to the alcohol content, the beer spill may cause the upholstery dye to run. Unfortunately, there is no fix for that.¹
Be careful with commercial stain removers that contain “stain repellents.” These products could set the stain, leaving a permanent mark.³
Wear gloves and ventilate the area well if using turpentine. For more turpentine safety information, see Wikipedia.