Are you the type of person who refuses to drink red wine simply out of fear of spilling? It happens.
An over-zealous pour, a bump, or a splash can all wreak havoc on your night when you're drinking red wine—especially if you happen to be wearing a white blouse or standing on a light-colored rug. The good news? Just because red wine stains happen, doesn't mean you need to avoid your favorite red wine drinks (or even red sangria) altogether! In fact, removing red wine stains is entirely possible as long as you take the proper steps.
Ryan Knoll, owner of Tidy Casa, a home cleaning services business in Arizona, recommends a few different options for how to remove red wine stains. With solutions made from vinegar, soap, or hydrogen peroxide, he explains, there's no need to invest in fancy stain removers. "The best part about them is they are inexpensive and effective cleaning products you already have at home," Knoll says. Even old red wine stains can be treated using a few easy cleaning methods.
So, what is the best way to remove red wine stains? Read on for these expert tips and you'll feel more confident than ever to grab a corkscrew and open up a bottle of red wine.
How to Remove Red Wine Stains from Carpet
"If the red wine stain is fresh, I would recommend a bit of dish soap, cold water, and a rag," Knoll says, "You can then dap out the stain until all the red wine residue is off the carpet." If the stain isn't going away or you waited a bit too long before cleaning it up, try one of the three combinations below:
Vinegar, soap, and water
Hydrogen peroxide, soap, and water
Baking soda, soap, and water
Be sure to do a spot test, especially if using hydrogen peroxide which has a tendency to bleach. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then blot out the stain.
"It is important to remember that you never try to rub out a wine stain on your carpet," Knoll warns. "Always dab it out. Rubbing it will spread the wine across the rest of your carpet."
How to Remove Red Wine Stains from Clothes
"First, try to dab out the stain with a cloth or paper towel," Knoll suggests, "Once you have dabbed some of the wine away, create an equal solution of cold water, soap, and hydrogen peroxide and apply the mixture to the stained area. Let that mixture sit on the stain for about 15 to 30 minutes. You can let it sit longer if needed. Afterward, rinse off the shirt with cold water and let it run in the wash."
How to Treat Old Red Wine Stains
Don't lose hope in an old red wine stain! Knoll says that you can remove these long-forgotten stains as well. "Treating an old wine stain is similar to treating a new one," he says. "The only difference is maybe using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide or vinegar with a more heavy-duty detergent and cold water."
When to Seek Professional Cleaners
When all else fails, you can always seek professional help. However, Knoll warns against using stain removal products you might see at the store. "Any products marketed as red wine removal products are always going to be more expensive than the at-home remedies, and they are either less or just as effective. Save your money and use the tried and true methods you already have at home," he says.
Then again, he adds: "If the carpet or rug you spilled on is delicate or has a lot of sentimental value, you should hire a professional cleaner to deal with the wine stain. You really can't be rough with an old antique rug... If the rug you spilled on was expensive, you might also want to call a pro to ensure your investment is handled with the utmost delicacy."
Kara Zauberman is the Senior Editor of Content Strategy at The Pioneer Woman, covering stories ranging from food, lifestyle, news, and more. When she’s not writing and editing, you can find her seeking out new restaurants or cooking for friends and family.
