Red Wine Stain Removal

Finding any kind of stain on the carpet can be quite upsetting, but it's even worse if you spill something that is dark and very noticeable. Accidents happen, but the idea of replacing your carpet or covering the spot up with a rug or piece of furniture probably isn't appealing.

Red wine is one type of stain that most people dread. This dark liquid is notoriously difficult to remove from carpet and other surfaces, and it leaves an obvious stain where the spill occurred, sometimes even after multiple tries at cleaning it. Whether it's a few drops or a whole glass of wine that has stained the floor, the couch, or even your clothing, you might want to give up trying to clean and either throw out or cover up the problem.

Even if you think you've tried everything for red wine stain removal, it is possible that there are some methods you may have overlooked. Before you give up hope, try one of these tactics for a good chance of getting rid of red wine stains:

• If you spill red wine on your clothing or another surface such as carpet or upholstery, remember to blot the spot instead of rubbing or scrubbing. You don't want to spread the stain around even more or force it deeper into the fibers. Blotting helps to soak up some of the stain without making matters worse.
• You can try club soda to help remove a stain. Use the soda on a rag or paper towel to blot the stain until it diminishes.
• Another common household ingredient that can assist with removing red wine is vinegar. In a spray bottle, add equal parts vinegar and water. You can spray the surface with this solution, then dab with a clean rag to lift away the stain.
• Try your favorite carpet cleaner for red wine spills on the carpeted areas of your home. Follow the directions on the bottle, remembering to never scrub or rub the spot as you clean.
• For wine spills on upholstery, apply liquid dish soap diluted with water to the stain using a clean rag. Blot until you have absorbed the liquid and the stain is gone.

Although red wine stains may seem hopeless to remove, give it one more try using a new technique. You may be surprised by how well the stain can be removed after all.