How To Remove Red Wine Stains From Carpet

Entertainment is, for many of us, an important part of our social lives. We enjoy gathering with friends and family in our homes and my team at 925 Carpet Cleaning and I are no different!

When we have new, light-colored, or otherwise delicate carpets, however, entertaining can be a bit nerve-wracking.

All the red wine being poured? More than nerve-wracking – it’s terrifying! So, how do you remove the red wine stains from your carpet, should a glass slip from the hands of one of your guests? As it turns out, there are a few ways. 

Using Club Soda

Invented in 1767, club soda has been used to remove stains since it was first released to consumers. 

1. Blot the stain with a clean, dry cloth. Lift as much of the stain out as you can. 
2. Saturate the area with club soda.
3. Blot the area again, using a new cloth.
4. Repeat the process until there is no red wine coming off on the cloth. 

Using Hydrogen Peroxide

No club soda? No worries! You can use hydrogen peroxide instead. Be cautious, though; it might cause mild discoloration. 

1. Blot the area with a cloth.
2. Make a mixture of two parts hydrogen peroxide and one part dish soap.
3. Do a quick spot test, using a small amount of the mixture on a corner or edge of your carpet. If it does not discolor the carpet, continue.
4. Apply the mixture to the intended stain.
5. Blot and repeat until you’re happy with the results. 

Using Salt

As strange as it sounds, salt is a pretty good agent for removing stains. This is due to its abrasive texture. 

1. Blot the area thoroughly.
2. Pour a generous layer of salt over the stain and let is sit for 5 or 6 hours.
3. Once the stain has dried, remove the excess salt with a spoon. Vacuum what remains. If your carpet is left with a crusty layer, moisten the fibers and blot, allowing the area to dry. 

Using Detergent & White Vinegar

No salt, either? Okay! We have another idea. This one involves two common household staples: vinegar and detergent.

1. As always, start by blotting the stain.
2. Create a solution of one  tablespoon dish soap and one of white vinegar. Add two cups of warm water and mix thoroughly.
3. Blot the stain carefully until it has been removed. Feel free to repeat.

Using A Product

You know there’s going to be a “next” spill, so why not be prepared and have a cleaning solution on hand? There are a number of great products made specifically for removing wine stains. These products range in price and are available in a range of container sizes, so there should be on to suit your needs.

We recommend Wine Away and Chateau Spill, both of which are great additions to your arsenal against red wine stains. These products can even successfully remove dried-on stains that have been long forgotten about or dismissed as unbeatable.