How to Remove Red Wine Stains

Before you start using any cleaning products or home remedies, such as those we will show in this article, it is essential that you check the label of the stained item and pay attention to the indications specified. Should you read that the item can only be dry cleaned then it is best that you go to a dry cleaner so as to prevent fabric damage.

Likewise, it is very important to act fast to try to remove the red wine stain as soon as possible. The more time that passes, the more it will adhere to the fabric, making it more difficult to remove after it has dried.

It has happened to us all that at dinner or lunch, while enjoying a delicious glass of red wine, it has ended up spilling on our shirt or other piece of clothing and made a big stain. Now we'll show you the most effective home methods to remove red wine stains from clothing, depending on whether they are recent or have already dried and become attached to the fabric.

Recent stains

• Talc: This product absorbs liquid and can help eliminate a lot of the wine stain. Just apply a small amount of talcum powder directly on the stain, wait for it to dry and then remove it with the help of a soft brush (you can also use a clean toothbrush). Finally, rinse and wash the garment as you normally would.

• Sodium bicarbonate: An excellent natural stain remover that does not cause tissue damage. Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water, apply it on the stain and leave to act for at least 1 or 2 hours. After this time, rinse out and wash the garment.

• White wine: The tannin in white wine neutralizes the tannin in red wine, thus diluting the reddish color and removing the stain. You just have to pour a few drops of white wine on a napkin or clean cloth, pass over the stain by tapping on it (avoid rubbing), leave for a few minutes and then wash the garment with water and detergent.

Dry stains

• Milk: It can help definitively wash away the stains that have already dried. Heat milk in the microwave, pour a little on the stained area and let it act for as long as necessary until the stain begins to fade. Once this occurs, wash the garment as you normally do.

• White vinegar and water: White vinegar is ideal to neutralize the red and purple pigments in red wine. First, mix equal parts white vinegar and water and apply directly on the stain. Then rub with detergent and wash the garment in warm water. After that, the stain should be gone.

Undoubtedly, other items that suffer greatly from red wine stains are tablecloths and fabric napkins. If you are looking for good options to get these completely clean and usable take note of the following solution:

• Boiling water: Add water to a pot and heat to boil. When reaching boiling point, place a large plastic container in the sink and put the tablecloth in it. When the water is boiling, pour it very carefully on the container over the tablecloth as this will help the stain disappear. Then you can wash the tablecloth as you normally would.

• Soap and hydrogen peroxide: Make a mixture of liquid laundry soap and hydrogen peroxide and pour on the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes and rub gently until the tablecloth becomes clean.

If the tablecloth is white, using lemon can also be a good remedy. When lemon juice is applied on the stain, the acids act by removing the stain while also whitening the garment if it is later exposed to the sun to dry.

When there are carpets or rugs at home, either in the lounge area or dining room, it may be that these also occasionally get a red wine stain. Carpet cleaning must be done carefully because the fabric can easily be damaged, after which it will no longer look as it had previously.

The trick we reveal next is ideal for light colored carpets such as those in white, beige or cream shades. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt on the damp red wine stain; you will see how it slowly starts to go a reddish color. It is important that you leave it on for at least 6 hours and, once this time has passed, remove the salt and wipe the stained area with the help of a clean, damp cloth.

But what if the above method does not work? Do not worry, in that case we recommend you dilute 1 tablespoon of ammonia in 1 cup of water, mix and apply directly on the stain. Leave to stand for 10 minutes and then to finish dry the area with a cloth.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Remove Red Wine Stains, we recommend you visit our Home cleaning category.