How to Get a Red Wine Stain Out of a White Linen Shirt
Red wine stains can be stubborn, and removing them is made more complicated when the stain is on a delicate fabric, like linen. Whether the red wine stain is fresh or dried and set-in will determine how difficult it is to remove the stain. If you want to rescue your favorite linen shirt from a dark wine stain, there are a few tips that might help. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Water or club soda or white wine
- Paper towels or clean rags
- Stain remover product like Wine Away
Instructions
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If The Stain is Wet/Fresh...
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1
Keep the stain moist. Once the stain has dried, it becomes more difficult to remove. Use water, club soda, or white wine to keep the stained area wet. If you need to run out and purchase a stain remover, leave the shirt in a sink filled with tepid water.
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2
Pat the stain gently with a clean rag or paper towel. Do not rub the stain, as this can actually increase the size of the stained area and can also force molecules of wine deeper into the fibers of the shirt. If you are using club soda or white wine, this should help the stain begin to dissolve. Keep patting the stain, using a clean sheet of paper towel or rag each time.
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Treat the stain with a stain remover, such as Wine Away before laundering. If the fabric is dry clean only, take it to a professional cleaner's immediately.
If the Stain is Dry/Set-in...
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4
Test the stain removal product you plan to use on a small, less visible section of the shirt, such as under a collar or cuff to make sure it does not damage the fabric.
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Treat the stained portion of the fabric with Wine Away or other on-the-spot stain remover of your choice, making sure to follow the directions printed on the product.
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Bring the shirt to a professional dry cleaner if the care label says that your shirt is dry clean only. Be forewarned that even a professional cleaner can have difficulty with removing set-in stains.
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Tips & Warnings
Never use salt to clean the stain. This common home remedy for removing wine stains can actually cause the stain to set-in more quickly.
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Comments
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Stain Rx
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HeatherBlesh
Jan 21, 2011
This is very true as I have had to use club soda before to remove red wine from my work shirt when I was working part time as a banquet server. Great Article! Thank you! -
winegal5
Dec 11, 2010
Skip all the mixing and just use the amazing product called: Wine Away. I was recently given Wine Away by a friend for red wine stains on my carpet - and have become their biggest fan! I just used it on shirt of mine that had red wine stains on it. Unfortunately, my husband washed and dried it. I thought I'd have to throw out my shirt. But, then I tried the Wine Away. And POOF it was gone. No detection of a red wine at all. If you drink red wine like we do you, Wine Away is a MUST HAVE! I get mine at SurLaTable, but saw they have it at Cost Plus and a few Bed Bath & Beyond outlets too.
