Remove A Wine Stain - 10 Methods With Common Household Products

For many people, having a glass of red wine in the evening is one of the best ways to celebrate a small victory or to unwind after a long day of telecommuting. But it happens to spill the precious burgundy liquid by accident and, sure, it's the white tablecloth, the long-haired rug or our favorite blouse that will take the hit. Naturally, this puts an end to any enjoyable activity, whether fun or relaxing. But why add to the stress when there are methods to remove a wine stain from any kind of surface? Do you ignore them? Then you have come to the right place because we are about to share with our readers 7 Effective Strategies For Removing Wine Stains From Home For Good!

How to remove a wine stain at home? Mission possible

From clothes to rugs, a single drop of red wine or a tiny bit of chocolate has the potential to completely ruin most materials in the home. And for each stain, there is a corresponding stain remover. However, you can't have every imaginable cleaner close at hand! This is why the many common household products found in every home can turn out to be real lifesavers!

How to remove a red wine stain with salt

To remove a red wine stain from the rug or sofa, press a clean paper towel or rag (a white rag is best) against the stained area. Fold up the tea towel and dab several times so that the traces of wine fade as much as possible. Avoid rubbing as this can push the stain deeper into the fibers. Liberally apply salt to the messy spot until it is completely covered. Let the salt sit for a few minutes, then vacuum the leftovers.

Milk can also be used as a stain remover

Always start by trying to remove as much wine as possible by pressing a clean, dry cloth against the stain. Then it is the milk that comes into play thanks to its absorbent and whitening properties. Pour a little milk over the affected area, allow it to penetrate well into the fabric and leave to act for at least 40 minutes. Keep in mind that boiling milk beforehand can improve its absorption properties.

The size combo - white vinegar and sparkling water

Sparkling water and distilled white vinegar are common products that many people are also familiar with as improvised homemade stain removers, including removing a stain from red wine. They have been proven to work very well separately, but did you know that they can be enhanced by using them together? It works because plain soda helps break down the molecules of the stain, while white vinegar helps to dissolve it permanently. On top of that, vinegar eliminates persistent odors (which is why you can use it to clean and deodorize your dishwasher, for example)!

The dishwashing liquid + hydrogen peroxide formula

Make your own active oxygen cleaner by mixing three parts hydrogen peroxide and one part dish soap, household black soap, or Marseille soap. Apply the mixture to your stain, then leave on for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Then dab the stain with paper towels and machine wash if the item allows it. If you are facing an old stain that is already dry, apply dish soap directly to the stain and soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes before washing as usual. You can also use other dry powdery ingredients like baking soda or talc as an alternative to salt.

Remove a red wine stain using only water?

Have you ever heard that cold water works best at removing stains? And this is absolutely true for chocolate, blood, baby poo stains etc. This is not however a universal truth because there are substances which fear hot water, even boiling. What matters is not using dry heat (like that of the dryer). So let's say you have to face a white tablecloth stained with red wine. Spread it out over your sink so that the stained fabric is taut and pour boiling water directly into it. Wear a long-sleeved T-shirt and keep enough distance so that the splash does not burn you.

Method with bleach (for whites only)

If you have red wine stained on a removable, washable cloth, you can soak it in bleach for about 10-15 minutes before washing in the machine. Likewise, wash it in hot water to remove the stain and any residue of the oxidizing chemical solution. For safety reasons, keep bleach away from eyes and mouth, and always wash your hands after handling it.

3 solutions to remove an old wine stain

Acting quickly is the key to success, alas, this is not always possible. So what should you do when you have to remove an already dry red wine stain? Well, the more seasoned stain fighter swear that soaking it in vodka is one of the top ways to tackle the problem. Let it sit, wash it in the machine using the usual cycle and voila!

Other experienced people advise treating the messy place with white wine and proceeding as already stated. Yes, actually, treating red wine with white wine doesn't seem to make too much sense… But it does work! It's like we say: "We must fight fire with fire!"

Finally, many people agree that mixing baking soda and lemon juice is the best method of removing a wine stain, especially when talking about one that has already dried out. Prepare a paste from the 2 ingredients, apply it to the stain and leave to act over the course of several hours, making sure to keep the area moist. Remove the leftovers and voila!