How to Remove Red Wine Stains From Chiffon

Handle chiffon gently to avoid snagging it during stain removal.

Red wine leaves dark stains in chiffon if allowed to dry. Set-in red wine stains may not come out of chiffon. Due to the fine texture of chiffon, flushing the fabric with club soda or water immediately removes most of the wine. The challenge in removing the stain involves taking care not to harm the delicate chiffon fibers. Treating the stain as soon as possible increases your chances of completely removing a red wine stain from chiffon.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid soap, such as castille, dish soap or a detergent for fine washables
• White towel
• Enzyme presoak product
• Oxygen cleaner (optional)

Instructions

1. Add 1 tsp. or a brief squeeze of gentle liquid soap to 1 inch of cold water in a sink or clean dishpan. Immerse the stained area of the chiffon in the soap solution and swish the fabric gently. Don't rub or pull the chiffon as this can damage the fabric. Allow the chiffon to soak for 5 minutes.

2. Rinse the chiffon in cold water. Gently spread the fabric on a white towel. Check to see if the stain has come out.

3. Empty and rinse the sink or dishpan. Add 1 tbsp. of an enzyme presoak product. Add 1 qt. of plain warm water. Soak the stained area of the chiffon in the presoak mixture.

4. Rinse the chiffon and check for any discoloration from the wine. If any wine color remains, empty the presoak solution.

5. Add 1 tbsp. of oxygen cleaner to 1 qt. of warm water. Dip a clean sponge or rag in the solution and dab a small amount inside a seam of the chiffon item. Leave the solution on for 20 minutes.

6. Examine the test area in good light to check for color change. If the chiffon's color remains unchanged, add 1 tsp. of liquid soap to the oxygen cleaner solution. Wash the stained area of the chiffon in the solution.

7. Rinse the chiffon with warm water. Lay it flat on a towel to dry. This will protect the chiffon from stretching.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid using vinegar on stains on chiffon. It's commonly used for stains, but the acetic acid can harm delicate fibers, the University of Ohio website reports.

• Grocery and variety stores stock enzyme presoak products and oxygen cleaners near the laundry detergent.

• Liquid castille soap works well for washing fine fabrics such as chiffon, and may remove the stain entirely.

• Don't use harsh dish soap, such as grease-removing formulas, on chiffon.

• Remove any jewelry, such as rings, bracelets and watches, before washing the chiffon to avoid the risk of snagging the fragile fabric. File any rough areas on your fingernails for the same reason.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Stain Detail -- Wine
• Ohio State University: Stain Removal