If you love red wine but hate the stains that inevitably appear after you’ve poured a few glasses, you’re not alone. Red wine stains are common annoyances that may seem impossible to remove and difficult to avoid, but there are some things you can do to save your furniture, fabrics, and carpet from the villainous vino. Here’s how to remove a red wine stain from several different types of textiles.
Removing red wine from carpet
Red wine and carpet aren’t meant to mix, but if they do, don’t panic. You may be able to completely undo any damage if you act quickly. Start by blotting up all the excess wine. Don’t rub–this could force the wine deeper into the fibers. Mix up two cups of warm water with a tablespoon of white vinegar and a dash of dishwashing soap. Apply this mixture to the stain a little at a time and blot it up with a clean white cloth as you go. Repeat until the stain is gone.
Removing red wine from upholstery
Blot up any excess liquid as quickly as you can, then grab some dry cleaning solvent and a clean white towel. Sponge the solvent onto the stain and blot it back up. It should pull the stain out, but it may take several applications. If you don’t have dry cleaning solution, mix a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with two cups of cold water and sponge the solution onto the stain. Blot it up with a clean white cloth and repeat until the stain is history.
Removing red wine stain from fabric
Don’t toss out your favourite tablecloth or article of clothing just because your red wine got away from you. Start by soaking up any excess liquid with a clean cloth or paper towel. Avoid rubbing–this only ever makes things worse as the wine will be forced deeper into the fabric and you could spread the stain. Instead, soak the fabric in cold water for about half an hour. If this isn’t an option, sponge the stain with cool water and then add a pretreat stain remover.
Launder the fabric item after you’ve pretreated the stain and, if the fabric is suitable, add chlorine bleach to the wash. This should help to wring out the last of the stain and get your fabric back to its former glory.
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