How to Get Red Wine Stains Out

Author: ENJOY HOUSE CLEANING |

Blog by ENJOY HOUSE CLEANING

 

Picture it: you’ve just gotten home from a long day at work. You uncork a bottle of your favourite red wine, pour it in a glass, and go to sit down on the couch…only to trip and have it spill all over the place!

 

Never fear! Though they can be notoriously difficult stains to work with, you can often get rid of red wine stains with quick timing, the right method, and some common household products.

 

Method 1: Get Red Wine Stains Out with Table Salt

This is one of the most famous methods for removing red wine stains. If you don’t have table salt on hand, you can also try it with another powdery substance, such as baking soda or talcum powder.

 

Step 1: Blot any excess wine.

Immediately after a spill, use a paper towel or cloth to soak up any excess liquid. Remember to just blot at the stain and not scrub, as this may spread the stain even further or push it deeper.

 

Step 2: Cover the stain with salt.

Don’t just sprinkle a little bit of salt on the stain - you’re going to want to really pile it on there.

 

Step 3: Let it soak.

Give the salt some time to absorb the red wine out of the material. Now, the exact amount of time it will take depends on a number of factors, such as the severity of the spill and the type of material, so you’ll have to use some discretion here. If it’s a small stain it may just take a few minutes, but for a serious one you may want to leave it for a few hours or even overnight.

 

Step 4: Get rid of the wine-soaked salt.

At this point, the salt should have absorbed all of the wine, so all you need to do is get rid of the now-pink salt. Simply run a vacuum over the area and the stain should be gone!

 

Method 2: Remove Red Wine Stains with Dishwashing Soap and Hydrogen Peroxide

If the first method didn’t get rid of everything completely, or if you don’t have anything powdery on hand, then try using a mix of dishwashing soap and hydrogen peroxide.

 

Step 1: Combine ingredients.

Take one part dishwashing soap, like Dawn, and mix it with three parts hydrogen peroxide. You may want to test this solution on an inconspicuous area before attempting to use it on the stain. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleaching agent, so be careful using it on darker materials.

 

Step 2: Cover the stain with the solution.

Use a spray bottle or clean cloth to apply the solution to the stain. If using a cloth, be sure to blot it onto the stain. Never scrub!

 

Step 3: Wait.

Again, use your discretion here. You may only have to soak some stains for a few minutes, while others need an hour.

 

Step 4: Wash, blot, and dry.

You’ll want to get rid of any excess hydrogen peroxide, so add some cool, soapy water to the area. Then, blot the area with a towel that has been dipped in lukewarm water. Finally, use a dry towel to absorb any remaining moisture.



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