How to Remove Red Wine Stains From Carpet and Other Surfaces

Not anything wastes a nice party quicker than red wine stains on the carpet or a much loved outfit. And it looks like that Murphy's Law dictates which wherever red wine and fun congregate, there will be a disaster in the close to future.

I don't know which is bad, spilling the wine yourself and causing a red wine stain or getting a red wine stain on your heirloom carpet or expensive dress which you kept for a special occasion.
Either way, dropped red wine generally creates panic, as red wine stains are notorious for hanging around for life or until you throw out the stained item.

Don't worry; here are some time tested techniques that will demonstrate you how to remove red wine stains, whether it is a stained carpet or some other fabric. You see, I have lots of wino friends, and they have taught me a thing or two about removing red wine stains from just about anything.

By the way, most of these carpet stain removal tips work better on other related stains, such as orange flavored soft drinks, stubborn Kool-Aid brand drinks, and similar beverages.

If you are planning on being around red wine, keep club soda handy. The effervescent bubbles help bring the wine to the surface away from the fibers, so that it can be quickly soaked up before it absorbs deeper. In a pinch, plain carbonated water works almost as effectively. If you're really desperate, 7 UP or Sprite will also do the job pretty well. This stain removal method works on white wine stains, too.

To remove red wine stains from carpet, first gently blot up as much of the stain as possible. Then pour the club soda or carbonated water onto a sponge. Sponge the red wine stain carefully. Then GENTLY dab at the stain with paper towels, absorbent cloth towels, or a sponge. Don't press down hard or rub at first. You will push the wine deeper into the carpet. Also, work from the outside of the stain and blot toward the center. This prevents the stain from spreading even more.

Next, use a clean sponge or cloth that is wet with water and just a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid with no added bleach. Blot it well again. Finally, go over the area again, this time blotting and rinsing with plain, clean water.

After you can no longer absorb any more liquid easily, then start using more pressure to soak up the red wine stain. When no more wine appears on the towel or sponge, then lay a thick, light colored absorbent towel folded a few times directly over the stain. Weigh them down with several books, a rock or something else heavy.

Check the towel every few hours. Replace it as it gets damp. Let it sit overnight weighted down. Keep replacing the towel with a clean, light colored one when it gets damp. Do this until the towel no longer gets damp. The red wine stain should be gone.

For old red wine stains on carpet or stains that refuse to go away, use hydrogen peroxide after the final rinse above if the stain hasn't disappeared. This is a last resort, as the hydrogen peroxide may lighten the stained carpet spot. Test an inconspicuous area or try to use it diluted first to see the effect.

If that doesn't work, mix up the hydrogen peroxide with some liquid dishwashing detergent. Use a ratio of about 2 parts peroxide to 1 part dishwashing detergent. Use the method above for sponging and blotting. Then use a final rinse of plain, clean water. Blot well.

I know someone that keeps a cheap bottle of white wine handy to remove red wine stains. She says it works every time, on either carpet or fabric. She just blots up the stain first as best as she can. Then she pours white wine directly over the red wine stain. Don't get it too wet it if it's carpet. Then she blots up the white wine. If it's washable, she then throws it in the washer. If not, she finishes by blotting with clean water.

I have a friend who swears that shaving cream foam is the best way to remove red wine stains from carpet. Just point the shaving cream directly over the red wine stain. Then use a plastic spatula to lift away the wine by gently scraping it off. Rinse with cold water for a clean, stain free carpet! But I have never seen it done, so I don't know how well it works.

There is an excellent way to remove red wine stains from clothing or other fabric, if it is shrink resistant. Heat milk to the boiling point, and then turn off the heat. Add the fabric with the wine stain to the pot of milk. Let it sit in the milk for a few minutes. Then remove the item and wash as usual. This should remove the red wine stain completely.

An easier way to remove wine stains from clothing, tablecloths, or other washable fabrics is this: Blot the stain as quickly as possible. Then use club soda and sponge the stain. Use warm water if no club soda or carbonated water is available.

Hold the stained fabric tightly over a metal bowl or pan. Then pour boiling water over the stain. This takes two people. Be careful and protect your hands, arms and face in case of splashes.

Wash it normally immediately after doing this. Check it after washing. You may have to repeat the procedure to completely get the wine stain removed. This method should remove white or red wine stains from most fabrics.

For non-washable fabrics and cloth furniture, you follow the same steps that you use to remove red wine stains from carpet above. Basically, blot the stain well. Spray the stain with club soda or carbonated water. Blot well again. Keep repeating until the stain is gone or no more of the stain will lift. Then spray with plain water. Blot dry.

If the stain persists, try blotting it with water with a couple of drops of liquid dish detergent added that contains no bleach. Spray it on and blot it off. Repeat until the stain is gone. Finally, rinse with plain water and blot well. Keep spraying the rinse water and blotting until you have removed all of the detergent from the fabric.

For extremely stubborn wine stains on non-washable fabrics or upholstered furniture, try the above steps first. Then spray with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit on the wine stain for a few hours. Spray with more hydrogen peroxide and blot well. Rinse with water. Blot dry. The red wine stain should be removed.

Using hydrogen peroxide should be a last measure, as the hydrogen peroxide could bleach the fabric. So, decide which is worse- the stain or a bleached out spot. You can test an inconspicuous area first to see the results.