How to Remove a Red Wine Stain
Removing a red wine stain is a difficult task. Two common ideas to avoid are putting coarse salt on the stain (because it will damage the fabric) and putting a wine-stained garment in the washing machine without first removing the stain.
Soak the stain in cold water as soon as possible if you can. Three detergents are effective: hot milk, vinegar or white wine, and soda water with rubbing alcohol.
Cleaning a red wine stain on leather
To remove a red wine stain from leather:
– Soak a rag in water laced with rubbing alcohol.
– Dab the stain.
Other effective detergents: Montmorillonite (ultra-fine clay powder), soap, bisulfite, and hyposulfite.
Good to know: salt on a wine stain is a myth. On the contrary, it fixes the stains.
On suede
– Absorb the stain while it is still fresh with an absorbent paper.
– Put some soda water on a cloth and rub the stain.
– Rub the stain with a cloth soaked in white vinegar.
On nubuck
– Press a cotton cloth over the stain.
– Wipe away any remaining residue with a cloth soaked in soda water.
– Remove the remaining stain with a cotton ball moistened with vinegar.
Removing a red wine stain from fabric or clothing
To remove a red wine stain from a fabric, it is important to blot the stain as quickly as possible.
On a synthetic fabric
– Dab the stain with water and dishwashing liquid.
– Put the garment in the washing machine.
Other effective detergents: Montmorillonite, soap, bisulfite, hyposulfite.
On cotton, jeans or linen
– Rinse the stain with clean water.
– Rub a dry Marseille soap vigorously on the stain.
– Run a washing machine at 40°C.
On silk
Sponge the fabric immediately with cold water.
On satin
– Rub the stain with a cloth soaked in soda water.
– Dab the remaining stain with rubbing alcohol.
– Rinse.
On velvet
– Rub the stain with a sponge moistened with white wine.
– Wash the sponge and remove the residue.
Another effective detergent is vinegar.
On wool
– Soak the fabric in warm milk for half an hour.
– When the bath turns pink, remove the fabric.
– Dip it in a basin of water and soap, then in clear water.
– Let it dry.
On goat or sheep hair or skin
– Apply white wine to the stain.
– Let it work, then rinse with little water.
On natural fur
– Dab the stain with a cloth containing soda water.
– Then wipe with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol.
– Press a damp paper towel on the treated area.
On synthetic fur
– Rub the stain with a sponge soaked in dishwashing liquid.
– Rinse with little water.
On waxed canvas
– Sponge the stain without delay.
– Drown the stain with vinegar.
– Rub with a clean cloth.
– Sponge to remove residue.
Removing a red wine stain from wood
A red wine stain on wood can cause serious damage that is difficult to clean.
On white wood
– Sponge the stain immediately.
– Rub with a cloth soaked in diluted bleach.
– Finish with sandpaper to remove the last traces.
Another effective detergent is oxalic acid.
On waxed wood
Try to remove the red wine stain with a cork first. If this does not work:
– Dilute powdered pumice in linseed oil.
– Dab the stain with a cloth soaked in the mixture.
On painted wood
– Rub a damp cloth over the stain.
– Dab with a cloth soaked in bleach.
– Rinse.
Another effective detergent is oxalic acid.
On teak
You can use a simple damp sponge to clean a red wine stain on teak.
Cleaning a red wine stain on a floor or wall
Depending on the surface, you can remove a red wine stain on a floor or wall with different detergents.
On natural fibers (sea rush, jute, coir)
– Sprinkle the stain with Montmorillonite.
– Let it act for 5 minutes.
– Vacuum up the powder.
– If traces remain, remove them with a vinegar cloth.
Other effective detergents: soda water with rubbing alcohol added.
On sisal
– Press a square of paper towel on the stain.
– Clean the stain with a carpet cleaner.
Be careful: dry stains do not fade.
On carpet
– Apply talcum powder to the stain.
– Vacuum.
– Scrub with soap and water.
– For best results, polish with vinegar.
– Let dry.
On linoleum
– Pour warm milk on the stain.
– Let it act for a few moments.
– When the milk turns pink, use a damp sponge to remove it.
On tiles, cement, or concrete
Rub the stain with a cloth soaked in warm vinegar until it disappears completely.
On terracotta or brick
Apply a little bleach on a cotton pad to the stained surface.
On wallpaper
– If the wallpaper is not washable: try to erase the stain with breadcrumbs or an eraser. Be careful: the stain will not come off completely.
– If the wallpaper is not washable: dab a tissue soaked in white vinegar on the stain.
Other effective detergents: the Montmorillonite added to vinegar.
Removing a red wine stain from a smooth surface
Smooth surfaces are not very sensitive to red wine stains, so they are easily cleaned.
On plastic or rubber
– Wipe the stain with a damp sponge.
– Apply a cloth soaked in diluted scouring powder.
– Rinse.
– Wipe clean.
On glass, window, or crystal
To remove a red wine stain from a glass, clean the glass with a little dishwashing liquid.
On ceramic, earthenware, or porcelain
Soak the object in a soapy water bath to remove a red wine stain from porcelain.
Note: if the porcelain contains metal parts, do not get them wet!
On enamel
To remove a red wine stain from enamel, scrub with a damp, soapy abrasive sponge.
Remove a red wine stain from metal
On stainless steel
To remove a red wine stain on stainless steel, blot the stain with a bit of dishwashing liquid.
On copper
– Soak the copper object in warm milk for a few minutes.
– Rinse with soapy water.
On brass
– Heat some milk.
– Place the brass object in the warm milk.
– Wait a few moments.
– Immerse the brass object in a bath of soapy water, then clear water.
– Wipe off.
Cleaning a red wine stain from stone
To remove a red wine stain from stone, rub it with a little diluted sodium bisulfite.
Another effective detergent is household alcohol.
On marble
– Dilute ammonia and soap in water.
– Rub the stain with a sponge soaked in the mixture.
– Rinse.
On stoneware
A red wine stain on stoneware can be cleaned with soapy water.
On granite
Dab a cotton ball soaked in vinegar on the stain.
List of detergents to clean red wine stains
– Soap
– Can of rubbing alcohol
– Can of sodium bisulfite
– Oxalic acid (sorrel salt)
– Bottle of carbonated water
– Linseed oil
– Ammonia
– White vinegar
– Can of bleach
– Dishwashing liquid
– Pumice powder
– Scouring powder
– Montmorillonite
– Baby powder
– Alcohol at 90
– Soap
– Dry shampoo for carpets and rugs
– Bottle of milk
Hope these tips will help you remove red wine stains. Remember to share your experience in the comments below.
