Red wine stains are caused by tannins and pigments that bind to fabric fibres. Act fast — fresh stains come out far more easily than dried ones, and the approach is different for each.
Fresh Red Wine Stain — Act Immediately
- Blot — do not rub. Use a clean white cloth or paper towels and press firmly to absorb as much wine as possible. Work from the outside edge of the stain inward to avoid spreading it
- Pour a small amount of cold water over the stain to dilute it, then blot again — repeat this 2–3 times
- Mix 1 part dish soap with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide (3%) — test on an inconspicuous area first as peroxide can lighten some coloured fabrics
- Apply the mixture to the stain, let sit 20–30 minutes
- Blot to lift the stain, then rinse with cold water and blot dry
Alternative: Salt Method (Carpet)
Immediately after the spill, pour a generous amount of table salt over the wet wine — the salt draws the liquid up and out of the fibres as it absorbs. Leave for several minutes, then vacuum up the salt and proceed with the dish soap and peroxide treatment.
Dried Red Wine Stains
Dried stains require re-hydrating before treating:
- Dampen the stain area with cold water
- Apply an enzyme cleaner (Nature's Miracle or similar) or the dish soap and peroxide mixture
- Let sit 30–60 minutes
- Blot, rinse with cold water, and repeat if needed — dried stains may require multiple treatments
Clothing
For clothing, treat immediately with cold water and dish soap, then launder on the coldest setting. Never put a wine-stained garment in the dryer until the stain is fully gone — heat sets the stain permanently.
What NOT to Do
- Never use hot water — it sets red wine stains in the fibres
- Never rub — rubbing pushes the stain deeper and spreads it
- Never use white wine to treat red wine — it doesn't work and adds another liquid to manage