How to Get Red Wine Stains Out of Clothes, Tablecloths and More

Anyone who enjoys red wine has inevitably experienced a red wine stain, and how stubborn they can be. We'll show you how to get out red wine from clothes and other textiles using natural methods.

Red wine spills can quickly become stains if you don’t react in a timely manner. If you want to have the best chance of removing red wine stains, the key is to not panic or procrastinate – time is of the essence! 

To effectively get red wine stains out of clothing, you’ll need to pay attention to the clothing label. Certain fabrics, like silk, are really fragile and can’t handle harsh stain removal methods. If you have any dry clean only garments that you’ve spilled red wine on, get them to the dry cleaner as soon as possible – it won’t do you any favors by allowing it to set. 

There are plenty of products out there that will promise to remove all sorts of stains from clothing and other textiles, but natural home remedies can be just as (if not more) effective. Conventional stain treatment solutions are often very toxic and contain harsh detergents and chemicals, as well as artificial scents and colors. Do yourself a favor and stick with natural products, as they’re better for your own health as well as environmental health. We’ll show you how to remove red wine stains the natural way. 

Get Rid of Wine Stains With One Ingredient

These one ingredient tricks couldn’t make removing wine stains any easier. The vast majority of households will have at least two, if not all three of the following stain removers in their homes already. 

1. Get Red Wine Out Of Clothes Using Milk

Believe it or not, milk has absorbing properties that may help get rid of red wine stains on clothes. Here’s how to use it properly: 

• First, dab the initial stain with a paper towel or clean cloth to absorb as much excess liquid as possible.
• Then pour the milk directly onto the stain, and try to get it to absorb into the material.
• After about an hour, rinse the area with water to remove all milk and wine residue.
• Once there is no discoloraton, you can wash the item of clothing in the washing machine. 

2. Boiling Water 

This method works well for any items that are colorfast and sturdy, like cotton clothing and tablecloths. You’ll need to boil the kettle for this one, or you can boil water on the stove with a boost of added salt. 

• Start by blotting the stain with a paper towel to absorb as much wine as possible.
• Then, place the stained item over a bowl or the kitchen sink, and pull the fabric taut. You might need to use an elastic band, or an extra set of hands to ensure that the fabric is fully stretched. 
• Slowly pour the boiling water over the affected area which will help loosen and dilute the red coloring. 
• Continue until the stain is gone, or use this method in conjunction with another to fully remove the red wine stain from your clothes. 

3. How to Remove Red Wine Stain With Salt 

Salt will help absorb the wine and life the color away from the surface of the fabric.

• As with all methods, start by blotting the stain with a paper towel to absorb as much excess liquid as possible.
• Then, dab a bit of cold water onto the stain, and cover generously with salt and let rest for at least 5 minutes. 
• If you have a large, or stubborn stain, allow the salt to rest for a couple of hours, or even overnight. 
• Rinse the spot with cold water and assess the damage. If the stain persists, start back from step one and work your way through again. 

How to Remove Red Wine Stains Using Natural Remedies

Sometimes you need a bit of a stronger concoction to remove stubborn stains. Using what you already have in the house can be an effective remedy. 

1. Club Suda + Vinegar Remedy 

The minerals added to club soda can actually make it a better alternative to water for lifting the red wine stain from your clothing. They help to absorb and break up the red wine molecules, making it easier to blot. 

• First, blot the stain with a paper towel to absorb as much wine as possible.
• Next, pour club soda and a bit of vinegar on the stain and let it fizz and soak for about 10 minutes. 
• Using a cloth, dab at the stain to see how much is left. 
• Repeat this process until the stain is gone. 

2. Dish Soap + Hydrogen Peroxide

When using dish soap and hydrogen peroxide, be sure to use this method for lighter colored textiles, as hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleaching agent and can ruin darker clothes. You’ll also want to do a test patch to make sure that the colors won’t fade. 

• Blot the stain with a paper towel to remove excess wine.
• Mix approximately 3 parts hydrogen peroxide with 1 part dish soap, and apply to the red wine stained clothing. 
• Allow it to soak for at least an hour – even though you may start to notice it working straight away. 
• Once the stain is gone, you can launder the item like normal

How Not to Treat a Red Wine Stain

We’ve gone through what you should do when dealing with a spill, but there are also certain things that you should absolutely avoid doing if you don’t want to make the stain any worse. Here are the three don’ts of treating red wine stains: 

Don’t Scrub: scrubbing the stain will allow it to spread, and also be pushed further into the fibers. 

Don’t Wait: time truly is of the essence when it comes to red wine stains on clothes. The longer you let it sit, the more it will soak into the fibers, and the harder it will be to remove. 

Don’t Heat Treat: if you want to remove a red wine stain from your clothes or other textiles, avoid using any dry heat. If you put a shirt that still has a bit of discoloration into a dryer, the heat will set the stain making it even harder to get rid of later on. 

Read more: 

• 5 Foolproof Ways to Get Grass Stains Out of Jeans (Naturally)
• Why Wine Isn’t Always Vegan
• Picnic Date Ideas: Romantic Dining for Two

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Tags: Cleaning clothes Guide