Home
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How do I Choose the Best Red Wine Stain Remover?

Mandi Rogier
Mandi Rogier

Red wine stains can be a fact of life at even the most meticulously planned events. Choosing a removal method depends on the type of clothing fabric, furniture or carpet that has been stained. You can use everything from salt, water, and club soda to commercial cleaning chemicals as red wine stain removers.

When this type of spill occurs, it can seem disastrous as you take in the rapidly spreading red mark, especially if it is on a white shirt or tablecloth. Fortunately, red wine stains are not difficult to remove, especially when caught early on. Assess the situation and the type of surface that the spill has occurred on to determine the best red wine stain remover for the occasion.

Glass of red wine spilled on a white carpet.
Glass of red wine spilled on a white carpet.

In the event of any red wine stain, your first action should be to soak up as much of the liquid as possible. Use a rag or paper towel and dab the area until wine no longer comes up. Never rub the stain as this will only cause it to spread. Once you have soaked up as much of the wine as possible, you can proceed to apply a red wine stain remover.

A nice piece of clothing is often the recipient of an errant splash of wine. If this is the case, check the tag to determine the type of fabric you are dealing with before you proceed. If it is a colorfast cotton or linen, you can treat the stain with boiling water. Set the garment on a flat surface, dab a small amount of salt onto the stain, and pour boiling water over it. The salt and water will act as a natural red wine stain remover without the use of harsher chemicals.

Be sure wine stains are completely gone before putting the clothing in the dryer.
Be sure wine stains are completely gone before putting the clothing in the dryer.

For more delicate fabrics, apply salt to the stain and soak in cold water. If the fabric is non-washable, treat the stain by gently blotting it with a sponge soaked in club soda until the stain comes out. Once the stain has come out, you can launder the garment as normal. Avoid using the dryer unless you are completely sure that there is no remaining stain from the wine, as the heat will set the stain.

The tannins in red wine is what gives it its dark red color, it's also what makes red wine stains so difficult to remove.
The tannins in red wine is what gives it its dark red color, it's also what makes red wine stains so difficult to remove.

If the red wine stain has occurred on your carpet rather than a piece of clothing or linen, you should use a different type of red wine stain remover. After blotting up as much of the liquid as possible, pour club soda onto the stained area. Blot at the club soda with a cloth or paper towel until the area is only slightly damp. If the stain persists, repeat this process with more club soda.

Treat red wine stains on the carpet with a commercial carpet cleaner after the majority of the stain has been removed. This ensures that there will be no lingering spots or discoloration as the area dries.

Discussion Comments

Haakee16

Stain Rx is the best stain remover out there. I have been using it on red wine stains since 1969. Just touch it to red wine, iodine, berries (including pomegranate), fruit punch, cranberry juice, and the stains disappear in a second. Stains such as mascara, lipstick, blood, balsamic

vinegar, vanilla extract and others come out with a little massaging and rinsing.

Soak your diamond, gold and platinum jewelry in it for 20 minutes to overnight, and you won’t believe it!

By the way, the University of California – Davis did a study on red wine stain removal and the #1, ready to use winner was Stain Rx (a.k.a. Erado-Sol). It killed Wine Away which is available everywhere.

As far as carpeting and upholstery:

I use Stain Rx on carpeting and upholstery all the time and have the method down.

First, I vacuum the entire carpet or piece of upholstery being treated. Then I clean the entire carpet or upholstery with my Hoover Steam-Vac, a carpet shampooer is at least as good, plus, I only use warm water - no detergent at all. The Hoover sprays in water and vacuums it out.

For the carpet I use the Steam-Vac and on upholstery I use the Steam-Vac attachments to do this. While the carpet or upholstery is still wet from this step, do the following: Depending on the size of the stain, put a “dot” of Stain Rx on your fingertip and rub out one stain at a time.

After treating a stain, remove all of the soapy residue from that area using the instructions below and go on to the next stain.

Here is the most important part: You have to remove all of the soapy residue using the attachments from the Steam-Vac, carpet shampooer or a wet/dry shop vacuum. Rinse out all of the soapy residue using water and the vacuum. If you leave Stain Rx in the area, dust will stick forming a gray spot in a few weeks. If this happens, just add water and remove all of the soapy residue.

Let dry and marvel at the job you did.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Glass of red wine spilled on a white carpet.
      Glass of red wine spilled on a white carpet.
    • Be sure wine stains are completely gone before putting the clothing in the dryer.
      By: itestro
      Be sure wine stains are completely gone before putting the clothing in the dryer.
    • The tannins in red wine is what gives it its dark red color, it's also what makes red wine stains so difficult to remove.
      By: Oleg Zhukov
      The tannins in red wine is what gives it its dark red color, it's also what makes red wine stains so difficult to remove.