How to Remove Wine Stains from Anything

We all know that there’s no use crying over spilled milk, but what about spilled wine? A puddle of a top shelf Cabernet Sauvignon or a mid-priced Merlot could be something that makes you shed a tear, particularly if it stains your favorite carpet or blouse. What can you do when that wine glass hits the floor or someone bumps into you and causes a spill?

The good news is that our Pros have the solutions to help you remove stubborn wine stains from any surface. So, if you want to know how to remove wine stains from carpet as a DIYer, professional housekeeper, or you’re just wondering whether you should hire someone to get the Grenache out of your Gucci shoes, keep reading.

What Makes Wine Stains Difficult to Remove?

You might be wondering why wine (and red wine in particular) can stain your clothes, carpet, or brand new sofa. The answer is short: red wine has chromogens, natural colors that act as dyes. They can quickly sink into the fibers of all types of fabric and spread in all directions faster than you can react.

You probably know how little time it can take to tie-dye a t-shirt or sweatshirt. Almost the second you submerge your white shirt into a vat of dye — or squirt dye directly onto the shirt — the colors start to take hold. 

The same thing happens when your wine glass tips over. The natural dyes in the wine do their only job, which is to spread their color everywhere as quickly as possible.

What Cleaning Products and Supplies Can Help Remove Wine Stains?

We know why and how wine creates stains. What comes next is learning how to get rid of those stains as quickly and efficiently as possible. Here’s a brief list of the cleaning products and cleaning supplies you’ll need to get rid of those stubborn wine stains.

This might seem like a lot of cleaning products, but you don’t need to use them all. Different methods apply for each. 

• Baking soda, club soda, and hydrogen peroxide all have acidic qualities that can help lift wine stains from surfaces.
• Salt may be used to prevent red wine stains from setting, usually in combination with club soda.
• OxiClean does a great job of removing wine stains from machine washable clothing.
• Having plenty of clean rags on hand is a must. You’ll use them to absorb wine and lift stains from areas where red wine has done damage.
• Your vacuum cleaner may be used to remove dried baking soda or salt from the area being cleaned.
• Measuring cups and spoons are necessary to get the right ratios when combining cleaning products.

What you may notice is that in most cases, the products our Pros recommend are all things you’re likely to have on hand.

How to Remove Wine Stains from Carpet

You’re having a party and one guest accidentally elbows another, causing her to spill red wine on your brand new carpet. Here are the steps to help you banish that stain immediately.

Step 1: Blot the red wine with a dry rag, soaking up as much of the wine as possible.

Step 2: Pour about ½ cup of water onto the wine to saturate it, then repeat blotting with a clean cloth to absorb the water and wine.

Step 3: Mix one part water to three parts baking soda to form a thick, white paste.

Step 4: Apply the paste to the stained carpet.

Step 5: Let the baking soda paste sit for about 20 minutes, until it’s dry.

Step 6: Vacuum up the dried baking soda.

A similar method may also be effective. Simply do these things instead of the above:

• Blot the stain with a clean cloth.
• Saturate the stained area with cold club soda.
• Sprinkle salt on top of the club soda to prevent the stain from setting.
• Allow the area to dry.
• Vacuum up the salt.

Keep in mind that this method isn’t just for wall-to-wall carpet. You can also use it for area rugs and door mats.

How to Remove Wine Stains from Fabric

If you spill wine on your favorite jeans or on your new sofa, here are the steps you can follow to prevent the stain from setting.

Step 1: Gently spread out the stained area, pulling it taut to make sure you have access to the entire stain.

Step 2: If the stain is still wet, apply salt generously over the wine and allow the salt to absorb it.

Step 3: If that doesn’t work, try mixing equal parts dish soap and hydrogen peroxide. Apply the mixture to the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes, then rinse.

Step 4: Another option for clothing stains is to pre-treat the stains with OxiClean and let it sit for 30-45 minutes, then machine wash in cold water.

Before using hydrogen peroxide, make sure to test the mixture in a hidden area, such as an inside seam, to make sure it doesn’t damage your clothing. That’s especially important with delicate fabrics such as linen or silk.

What happens if you spill wine on your sofa? Watch the video below to learn what to do!

How to Remove Wine Stains from Walls

Wine stains on walls may be an indication of a great party, but they can also be a nightmare to clean. Here are the steps to follow to remove wine stains from your painted walls.

Step 1: Make a paste of two parts baking soda to one part hydrogen peroxide.

Step 2: Apply the paste to the stained areas of your wall.

Step 3: Let the paste sit for at least a half an hour.

Step 4: Saturate a clean rag with hydrogen peroxide and use it to remove the dried paste. Don’t scrub because doing so may scratch your paint. You may want to put a towel underneath your working area to catch clumps of dried baking soda.

Step 5: For really tough stains, make more paste and reapply, repeating steps 2-4.

Step 6: To finish, use another clean rag soaked in hot water to remove the rest of the paste and clean your wall.

If you get wine on wallpapered walls, you can try a gentle multi-surface cleaner or some professional cleaners swear by shaving cream!

Tips and Tricks to Remove Red Wine Stains

Our Pros have a few special tips and tricks to help you get rid of red wine stains.

• If possible, always treat red wine stains while they’re still wet. You’ll have a much better chance of removing the stain if you get to it early.
• You may need to try multiple methods to find the right treatment for whatever you’re trying to clean. A method that works on denim may not be ideal for silk or cotton.
• Be patient. Red wine stains can be quite stubborn, but it’s often possible to get rid of all traces of the wine if you’re persistent.
• Always test your cleaning solution on a hidden area of your clothing or carpet. Some fabrics may not respond well to hydrogen peroxide, for example, so testing is the best way to protect your clothing.
• Bleach may be your best choice if you spill red wine on something white.

The most important thing is to stay calm! Panic won’t help you at all.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Wine Stains

Here are some of the questions our Pros hear most often about getting rid of wine stains.

Banish Wine Stains Like a Pro!

Red wine spills don’t have to be the reason you throw a pity party. The simple methods that our Pros use and have outlined can be used by homeowners and DIYers to get the job done in most cases. But next time, try to keep your red wine in the glass!