Red wine is enjoyable until it spills on your carpet, shirt, or couch. One second of carelessness, and that deep red splash feels permanent. However, you should not worry; a wine stain does not mean your clothes, carpet, or fabric is ruined. You can remove the stain and restore your valuable item with the proper techniques.
You can remove a wine stain in several ways, from home remedies to commercial products and seeking professional help. The following are six common ways to battle a wine stain:
Blot, Do not Rub
The first rule of wine stains is to move quickly, since set-in stains are more challenging to remove and can ruin your fabric. Red wine has tannins and dyes that start to set when they touch fabric. The faster you act, the better your chances of removing the stain. You should begin by blotting and not rubbing the fabric.
Press gently with a clean, absorbent cloth or paper towel. Rubbing will spread the stain and grind the wine deeper into the fibers. After blotting as much as possible, you should dab it on the stain, then blot again. Keep doing this until no more wine comes up. Club soda can be more effective if on hand, as the bubbles help lift the wine.
Pour a little club soda directly onto the stain and let it fizz before blotting. The goal of this step is to stop the stain from setting until you can treat it appropriately. You should do whatever you can to blot quickly in public or at a party. Every second matters when you are dealing with a wine stain.
Use Salt
Salt is more than a kitchen staple. It is a surprisingly effective wine stain fighter. After blotting and dampening the stained area, you can pour salt directly onto the stain. The salt begins to absorb the wine by pulling moisture and pigment out of the fabric as it sits. You may even see the salt change color as it turns pink or red.
You should leave the salt on for at least an hour when using this method. Once the salt is dry, gently scrape it off. You can use a vacuum cleaner if the wine stain is on a carpet. You may need to follow up with another method if the stain is still visible. However, salt makes a big difference, especially regarding fresh wine spills. Salt works best on flat fabrics like tablecloths, rugs, or clothing. It is less effective on soft or fuzzy materials.
Use a Vinegar and Dish Soap Mix
If home remedies are your style, vinegar and dish soap can do wonders for a wine stain on your clothes or other fabric. The combination works because vinegar breaks down pigments and dish soap lifts oils and residue. To use vinegar and dish soap for your wine train, you should mix the following ingredients in a bowl:
- 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid
- 2 cups warm water
You can then use a clean cloth or sponge to apply the solution directly to the stain. To prevent the spreading of the stain, you should work from the outside of the cloth towards the stain. You should not scrub your wine-stained fabric. Instead, you can blot gently and allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before blotting again with a clean cloth soaked in water to rinse the area.
You should repeat this process a couple of times. The method works well on clothing, rugs, and furniture. Although it is also safe for most fabric types, you should always check the label before you start.
Use Club Soda
Club soda is a popular remedy for removing fresh wine stains due to its carbonation and mild acidity. When spilled wine is treated quickly, blotting the stain with a clean cloth and then pouring club soda over it can help lift the pigment from the fabric.
The bubbles in the club soda help to break up the stain, while the slight acidity assists in dissolving the wine’s tannins. After application, gently blot the area until the stain lightens. Repeat as needed and launder as usual. For best results, use the club soda on fresh stains and avoid letting the wine set before treatment
Use a Commercial Stain Remover
Sometimes DIY is not enough, and you can explore commercial stain removers. Products like OxiClean, Folex, or enzyme-based laundry sprays can tackle wine stains. These products are made with ingredients that break down pigments and lift them out of fabric.
You should always follow the product instructions carefully when using commercial stain removers. Usually, you will spray the cleaner onto the stain, let it sit for several minutes, then blot or rinse. Before applying the main stain, you can test the product on a small, hidden area of the fabric. Commercial cleaners are helpful for old or dried stains.
Consider Professional Cleaning
If nothing works for your wine stain, it is time to call in the pros. Professional cleaning services have tools and solutions that go beyond home remedies. They know how to treat delicate fabrics and rugs without causing damage.
Professional cleaning is the best option for expensive items or severe stains. You should not wait too long to take action since set-in stains are harder to remove, even for experts. Dry cleaners also specialize in wine stains on clothing. Just explain what caused the stain, and they will take it from there. Sometimes, it is worth the cost to save something valuable or irreplaceable.
Find Expert Dry Cleaning Services Near Mel
Wine stains are stressful, but not the end of the world or for your fabric. You can remove or reduce most wine stains with fast action, a few household products, and the proper methods. Whether you use salt, vinegar, white wine, or commercial products, the key is to act quickly and stay calm.
If your home remedies to battle the stain do not work, you should seek professional cleaning services. At Boca Best Cleaners, we offer fast and effective dry cleaning services for our clients in Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, and Fort Lauderdale, FL. Call us at 561-613-0352 for your dry cleaning needs.
