How To Remove Red Wine Stains From Clothing
Red wine stains are notoriously difficult to remove. The pigments of the red wine soak into fibers and begin to set almost right away. That is why it is important to act quickly and treat the stain immediately, whether it’s on clothing or carpet. There are some first steps you can take to help achieve a successful outcome, and then five different treatments to try if there are still signs of red.
How To Get Rid Of Red Wine Stains Quickly:
Step 1: To tackle the initial red wine stain on your sofa, you will need to quickly grab a clean cloth or some paper towels and clothing stain remover.
Step 2 : If you dont have clothing stain remover, sparkling water will do a similar job.
Step 3 : If you have neither, then it is a good idea to sprinkle salt on the stain until you have the means to remove it . The cloth and salt will help to soak up any excess liquid, while the spray with help to remove the red wine stain before it seeps into the fabric.
TOP TIP: You want to dab, not rub, red wine stains, to avoid forcing the stain further into the fabric. It is also a good idea to work from the outside in, to prevent the stain from spreading.
How To Remove Red Wine Stains
There’s a right way and a wrong way to tackle red wine spills. Get it wrong and you’ll be stuck with the stain forever…
Whether you’re pairing it with a meal or enjoying a drink on the weekend, there’s nothing like a good glass of red wine!
But, whilst the effect of drinking a glass of wine may make you feel warm and fuzzy, it’s not such a great feeling if you spill it! It’s happened to us all, and, due to red wine’s colour and it containing tannins, red wine stains can be a nightmare to shift.
When it comes to spills, this is probably one of the worst, so don’t delay, tackle it straightaway!
Here’s everything you need to know about red wine stain removal…
Don’t Miss: How To Make Glasses Out Of Wine Bottles
How To Remove Red Wine Stains From Fabric
There are a number of great ways to remove red wine stains from fabric. Depending on the kind of fabric, the length of time the wine has set in, and the materials that you have on hand, you will often find that some methods work better than others. Here are some of the best-known methods for removing red wine from fabric:
How To Get Red Wine Out Of Carpet

You knew beige carpet was risky but now, well, it’s a nightmare.
Read Also: How To Get Red Wine Out Of A White Shirt
Red Wine Stain Removal Vs Bleaching
But, before we crown hydrogen peroxide King of Red Wine Stain Removers, its important to note that hydrogen peroxide is a bleach and bleaches dont actually remove stains, the stain is merely altered so that the color is less intense or invisible.
What difference does it make? Well, bleaching is accomplished through oxidation or reduction. Bleaches that use oxidation are susceptible to reversion. In other words, the stain can reappear. Chlorine bleach is notorious for this, not to mention that it can also remove dye from colored fabric, or completely dissolve some fabrics with natural fibers.
Using bleach is a Catch-22, the fabrics most likely to withstand bleaching are the ones least likely to need it for red wine stain removal. That doesnt mean that bleach should not be used. Assuming the fabric can withstand bleaching, it should be used as a last resort when efforts to remove the stain have failed. Red wine stain removal may require more time and applications than simple bleaching, but the results are more likely to be permanent and less likely to damage the fabric.
Proper red wine stain removal requires patience.
The Best Red Wine Stain Remover
It was an equal blend of hydrogen peroxide and Dawn liquid soap. The next best was Erado-sol, it was the best commercial cleaner and the most effective on silk. Erado-sol has been sold to doctors, hospitals and industrial laboratories since 1963. Stain Rx is Erado-Sol packaged for home/office/travel use.
Read Also: Gluten Free White Wine
The $0 Trick To Make Any Bottle Of Wine Taste *way* Better
Soon after, our plates of jerk chicken, plantains, rice, and beans arrived before us. Just as I finished my first bite, a friend of a friend reached for her own bottle and in the span of a second, collided with my bottle of wine, which knocked over my cup of wine, both of which drenched my food and my outfit. For a moment, I was speechless and distraught by my sudden trifecta of loss. Gone were my wine, my food, and my jeans.
The Hydrogen Peroxide Method
If, like us, youre partial to a glass of red wine and want a quick clean-up solution , hydrogen peroxide is your silver bullet. Dont worry if you cant find it in your kitchen cupboards right now its often not available in UK supermarkets, but can be found online and in specialist cleaning retailers.
Read Also: Palo61 Total Wine
Red Wine Stains On Leather
If your leather is non-absorbent , you should be able to wipe the red wine stain away from the surface with our Leather Cleaner.
However, if you have an absorbent type of leather, such as aniline or pull-up leather , the Leather Cleaner may not be as effective.
If the red wine has been absorbed into the leather, you will need to use the Red Wine Stain Remover to help extract the stain from the surface.
Simply, spray the stain remover on to the stain and gently dab the surface with a Microfibre Cloth. Repeat until the stain has been removed.
To help restore any colour lost during the process we would recommend using our Leather Recolouring Balm.
How To Remove Red Wine Stains From Clothes Carpets And Furniture
A little bit of wine makes you shine, but it can also make you whine if you spill it on something. With the holidays coming, nows the time to hone your skills for removing these stubborn stains from clothes, upholstery and carpet. To help you out, we invited cleaning pros to share their favorite ways to tackle this common problem. Read on and youll impress family and friends with your stain-busting know-how.
Don’t Miss: Where To Buy Tj Swan Wine
How To Remove A Red Wine Stain From Carpet
Carpet fibers can be either natural or synthetic. The major synthetic yarns are nylon, olefin, acrylic and polyester. Wool is the natural fiber used in carpet. Cotton and other natural fibers are widely used in rugs. Nylon is the most common carpet material in the United States.
Nylon was designed to be a synthetic substitute for silk. It has a chemical structure similar to silk, so wine stains can bind to its fibers. The other synthetics like polyester and acrylic are not only moisture resistant, but wine stains cant bind to their fibers. So, to remove wine stains from nylon and wool carpeting use the instructions for silk and wool above. The wet spotter should be adequate for red wine stain removal on polyester and acrylic carpets.
Make sure to thoroughly rinse any soapy residue from carpets. Soapy residue tends to attract dirt and will eventually create another stain.
Note: Before trying a homemade stain remover on your carpeting, you should also consider whether its an old or new carpet. A new carpet may still be under warranty and using a homemade stain remover may void it. If your carpet is new, look for products with the Carpet and Rug Institutes Seal of Approval like Tech Stain Remover that may not void your warranty.
Remove Red Wine Stains From Clothes: Step By Step

Recommended Reading: How To Get Red Wine Stain Out Of Tablecloth
Peroxide And Baking Soda:
A combination of peroxide and baking soda is a powerful way to remove stains. This can sometimes bleach an area so it is a good idea to use this mostly on white fabrics, or test them for colorfastness before you place this particular treatment onto a stain. It will remove the stain, but it may take the dye in the fabric with it. A drop of dish soap makes this combination even more effective.
When To Call A Carpet Cleaning Pro
A word about professional carpet cleaning, Mike Buckner, Marketing Brand Manager at Sears Home Services in Columbus, Ohio, cautions homeowners to be realistic when tackling serious stains in carpets and rugs. If a stain doesnt come out easily, call a pro. Often, the more that homeowners try to deal with a stain by themselves, the worse the stain becomes. It is the equivalent to putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound.
Don’t Miss: How Many Carbs In Wine
Can Red Teeth Be Avoided When Drinking Red Wine
Before we get to the big issue of those accidental blots on our furniture or clothes, many of us are prone to developing blue teeth after weve enjoyed some of our favourite red wine. The reasons are pretty straightforward, and not that dissimilar to why red wine can wreak havoc on fabrics. The combination of red wines evil twins, chromogens and tannin, and the acid content of red wine, allows the red dye of the wine to be absorbed quite readily.
So the reason some people arent affected at all when they drink red wine is because the enamel on their teeth is more robust. Apart from giving it up heaven forbid! theres not much we can do about the stains, although there are ways of mitigating them and removing them. That is, until the next glass
How To Remove Common Red Stains From Clothes
February 13, 2017By Annie Pryatel
Weve all had to deal with the frustration of red stains on clothing . Red stains from red dye to your favorite glass of wine can be among the most difficult types of stains to completely remove from any type of fabric. Red stains can be particularly problematic since you also need to consider how to remove the stain without damaging the garment or rendering it unwearable.
Luckily, the laundry experts at Mulberrys Garment Care in Minneapolis and San Francisco are here with helpful tips on the best way to remove various types of red stains from your favorite pieces of clothing. Of course, we recommend bringing your clothing to Mulberrys for professional dry cleaning for the most stubborn stains or if your clothes are fragile or require special care. But there are also some simple remedies to get red stains out of your clothing at home!
Also Check: Organic Gluten Free Wine
Laundry And Cleaning Products
Try a few professional products. Soaking the clothing in OxiClean powder mixed with the warmest water your fabric can handle is a good optionred wine is one of the stains the solution promises to remove. Other proven choices include Carbona Stain Devils, Bac-Out Stain, and Odor Remover, Ecover Stain Stick, Spot Shot, and Tide Stick. There also are a few sprays made specifically for removing red wine stains such as Chateau Spill and Wine Away.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Chemical Red Wine Stain Removal Options
There are several chemicals available in your local store that will boast the ability to remove old and dried red wine stains. It is worth asking friends and family which products they have used and which actually work.
Once you have chosen one it is a good idea to test it inconspicuously on your item, this will ensure it doesnt have any adverse effects before you use it on the red wine stain. To use, you simply need to follow the instructions.
Don’t Miss: Where Can I Buy Tomasello Wine
Cant Wash Your Clothes Asap
Practically speaking, you might not be able to take off your clothes at the party and throw it in the wash . Follow these steps:
Treat The Stain Right Away

If possible, try to treat a red wine stain immediately the older a stain is, the more difficult it is to remove. Follow these first crucial steps:
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Also Check: Glasses Out Of Wine Bottles
Preventing Red Teeth At The Party
Eat cheese.
Fact! The calcium in cheese builds up on your teeth, which helps to tighten the micro-pores on your enamel. In other words, pairing cheese with red wine helps prevent red wine stains!
Keep your lips hydrated.
Red wine is more likely to cling to cracked, dry lips.
Drink water.
Water will help to lift superficial wine stains from your teeth.
Try Wine Wipes.
About the size of a wet hand wipe you get with shellfish, wine wipes can help to remove stains from your teeth on the go.
Bite an apple.
Apples have natural teeth-whitening properties that brighten your smile on the go. Same for strawberries.
Chew gum.
While you may not want to be smacking on a piece of gum while mingling at the party, you can sneak it in for a couple of minutes while in the coatroom or bathroom to help lift some of the stains. Note that this will definitely make your wine taste gross after.
Dishwashing Liquid And Hydrogen Peroxide
This do-it-yourself stain-removing combination is often successful. The proportions can vary from a ratio of 1-to-1 to a ratio of 3-to-1 , but the process is basically the same. Combine the twoDawn brand of dishwashing soap is recommendedand test it on an inconspicuous area as hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent. If all goes well, pour the mixture onto the stain and let sit, checking every once in a while to see if the stain has disappeared if it has not, add more mixture until it does. Once the red wine is gone, wash the garment immediately.
You May Like: How To Remove Red Wine Stains From Cotton
How To Remove Red Wine Stains From Synthetic Rugs:
Commonly used in outdoor rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting, materials like nylon and polypropylene can withstand stronger cleaning than their organic counterparts. Use a non-chlorine bleach or stain remover, followed by additional dabbing.
Knowledge is power. Always check the attached care instructions on a rug before choosing the supplies for tackling a stain.