How to Remove Wine Stain

It's easy to remove wine stains with a few simple tricks.

Wine is a popular alcoholic beverage that is typically made from fermented grapes. It has a unique and sophisticated flavor that can complement many types of food beautifully. Wine can become a problem if it accidentally gets spilled on your clothes, carpet or upholstery. The key to removing wine stains is to act fast. The sooner you can treat the stain, the better your chances are of it coming out successfully, according to University of Illinois Extension.

Things You'll Need

• Towel or cloth
• Salt
• Broom
• Liquid dish soap
• White vinegar
• Rubbing alcohol
• Mild detergent without bleach

Instructions

1. Blot to remove as much of the wine as possible with a clean white cloth. Work from the outside of the stain, and slowly move towards the center. This will keep the stain from spreading. Do not rub the stain because this could cause it to push further into the fabric or surface.

2. Sprinkle salt over the stain. This will soak up any remaining wine and prevent the stain from setting in. Wait a few minutes for the salt to absorb the liquid, and scrape it away with your hand or broom.

3. Soak fabrics in a mixture of 1 qt. lukewarm water, 1/2 a tsp. of liquid dish soap and 1 tsp. of white vinegar for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. If the stain remains pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a clean white cloth, and gently blot in circular motions until it's removed.

4. Treat carpet stained with wine by mixing 1 tsp. of mild detergent (without bleach) with 1 cup lukewarm water. Blot the stained area with the solution using a clean white cloth. Rinse with water, and dry the area with a towel.

5. Mix 1 tbsp. of liquid dish soap with 2 cups cool water to treat upholstery stained with wine. Use a clean white cloth to sponge the stain with the soap solution. Blot until the stain is gone. Rinse with cold water, and blot dry with a towel.

Tips & Warnings

• If the stain is from red wine it can be neutralized with white wine. Pour white wine on the red wine stain, and gently blot the area with a clean towel. Rinse the area with clean water, and blot it dry with a towel.

• When using a solvent like alcohol for stain removal always test a small inconspicuous area of the surface you are dealing with first to make sure their is no damage.

References

• Cornell University: Removing Stains at Home
• University of Illinois Extension: Wine- Stain Removal Solutions

Resources

• Smithsonian Institute: Museum Conservation Institute Stain Removal