It happens. To some of us more often than others. The drip, the tip and the all out spill. Inevitably it seems to occur most often in the presence of all things white. And while it is unfortunate, there is hope. The key to successfully removing a red wine stain is acting quickly. There are many commercially available products on the market but chances are, you have everything you need conveniently located right in the comfort of your home. Whichever stain removal procedure you choose there are a few important rules to follow:
- Blotting the stain is essential. You never want to rub the stain. This will penetrate the stain into the fabric further, deepening the stain and potentially harming the fibers of the fabric.
- Be sure to test any procedure on a small discrete area to be sure that the removal doesn’t harm the fabric. Hydrogen peroxide for example acts as a bleaching agent and therefore may harm darker fabrics.
- Never apply heat to a stain (using an iron or dryer). Doing so will set the stain making it very difficult to remove. Lastly, when dealing with stains on clothing, check the label to see if it’s dry clean only. If it is, don’t attempt to remove the stain yourself. Take the garment to the dry cleaners as soon as possible.
Below is a list of various stain removal remedies using common household products:
For Clothing:
- Blot the stain immediately with paper towels. Combine 1 teaspoon laundry soap or dish soap and 1 cup hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. Soak a clean sponge in the mixture, squeeze it halfway dry, then gently blot the stain. Place a dry towel or washcloth between the front and back of the garment if the stain has not penetrated through to the back of the fabric. This will prevent staining on the back of the material. Review the washing instructions on the label of the fabric. Heed any special care instructions. Wash in cool water and air dry if the fabric is machine-washable. Wash gently in the sink with a mild detergent if the fabric is hand-wash only.
- Another red wine stain removal tip that works is to use club soda. This option is a great choice when dining out since you can find it in just about any restaurant. Simply moisten a clean cloth with the club soda and blot. Milk also works well for stains received at home or dining out. With the same method, blot the stain with a cloth moistened with milk. This works about 99% of the time, making a great red wine stain removal method.
- If you have just spilled red wine, and you have white wine handy, pour the white wine on top of it. The white wine will dilute the red pigmentation and will make it easier to remove. You can also pour salt onto the stained area, wait a few minutes and rinse it out with running water. If you have an old stain, soak the stain with either lemon or vinegar and water solution (50/50), then wash it as usual.
For Carpets and Tablecloths:
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For carpeting of light beige or white, start by blotting the wine stain with a clean cloth or paper towel first to absorb as much liquid as possible. Then try diluting one tablespoon of ammonia in one cup of warm water. Get the stain wet with the ammonia and water solution, allowing it to sit for about five to ten minutes. Now, use a clean cloth to again blot the stain. With this, the red wine should be gone.
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Another home remedy is good, old-fashioned table salt. For this, sprinkle the salt onto the stain while the stain is still wet. As the liquid is absorbed, the crystals will begin to turn red or pink in color. Leave the salt on overnight or a minimum of six hours and then vacuum. In most cases, this red wine stain removal technique will work very well. Finally, moisten the wine stain liberally with club soda, blot, and then sprinkle with salt. When dry, vacuum.
As mentioned, there are also a number of commercial products that can get red wine stains out of carpeting and clothing, regardless of color.
(References:eHow.com and Mrs Clean USA.com)
