7 Everyday Items That Remove Wine Stains Quickly

Accidents and spills happen, even to red wine lovers. Everyone has experienced that disheartening moment as they watch a little dribble or full-on spill turn into a spreading purple stain on their favorite rug or sweater. 

Although red wine stains are notorious for being impossible to remove, the truth is that there are plenty of simple items that can help you remove wine stains as long as you act quickly.

Let’s take a look at seven of our favorite everyday items that can remove wine stains. 

Seven Household Items to Aid in Wine Stain Removal  

There are a few things to keep in mind when a wine spill happens. 

Wine, especially red wine, has a natural color. It is made from grapes, which contain an intense pigment called chromogens. Wine is also high in tannins, which are also a naturally occurring compound found in plants. 

This combination of chemical compounds is so potent when combined with porous fabrics that you can intentionally use it as a fabric dye for tye-dying and crafts.

Of course, most of us aren’t trying to make art out of our favorite clothing or furniture items. 

When a wine spill occurs, the liquid sinks into the fabric’s porous fibers. It also spreads outwards, creating that large, reddish-purple stain that causes hearts to stop and dread to set in. 

Here are seven household items that will help you get rid of that pesky stain. 

1. Bleach 

If you happen to spill wine on a piece of pure white clothing, soaking the item in chlorine bleach is one of the simplest ways to tend to the stain. 

If the spill is small, you can spot treat the stain by dipping a rag into a solution of water and bleach and applying it directly to the affected area in a blotting motion.

A bleach pen (like this one) would also be helpful in this instance. It is a handy precision stain fighter in the shape of a pen, which includes a narrow point for precise application and a broad tip for larger stains.

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Larger spills may require a full soak. Fill a shallow tub with a weak solution of bleach and water and place the item, so it is fully covered. Let it sit for between ten and fifteen minutes, then wash as usual. Note that even if the fabric is white, you shouldn’t use bleach on certain types of materials, such as silk or wool. 

2. Table Salt, Baking Soda, or Talcum Powder 

You can attempt to lift a red wine stain out of fabric that’s more difficult to wash, like a couch or rug with dry substances such as:

• Salt
• Baking soda
• Talcum powder

These powders help draw the moving liquid up and out of the fabric. 

Before sprinkling salt or powder on the stain, try rinsing it with cold water and gently soaking up the excess wine with a rag or light-colored cloth. 

Once you’ve applied the dry substance, wait between three to five minutes and then rinse. Continue the process until the stain has lifted, and you can safely wash it in the laundry.

3. White Vinegar

Believe it or not, white vinegar isn’t just good for cooking or pickling. To use white vinegar on a wine stain, simply apply it directly to the stain and let it sit for a moment. Then, rub some liquid laundry detergent over the white vinegar and wash the item with hot water. 

Vinegar With Baking Soda 

Alternatively, you could combine cleaning vinegar, which is a more acidic version of food vinegar, with baking soda and apply it directly to the wine stain. To do this, add two tablespoons of vinegar with ¼ cup of baking soda to create a thick paste. Spread the paste on top of the blotted wine stain

4. Club Soda 

Club soda is a tried and true method of wine stain removal. Although you should not scrub a wine stain, you should blot as much of the excess liquid up before applying club soda to the affected area to flush it out. Repeat these steps as often as necessary until the stain lifts. 

5. Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap

This method involves mixing a small amount of hydrogen peroxide with mild dish soap like Dawn and letting the stain soak in it until the colors begin to fade. Once the stain appears to be lifted, toss the item in the wash as soon as possible according to the wash instructions on the label. 

6. Boiling Water

If you don’t have any of these items around the house, you could try simply boiling water. After blotting the wine stain to soak up any excess liquid, sprinkle table salt on the stain and pour boiling water over it. Hold the water vessel at least eight inches above the stained fabric for best results.

7. Rubbing Alcohol 

Rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol, can be applied to a cotton ball or paper towel and used to blot the wine stain. However, keep in mind to use rubbing alcohol with care on colored fabrics.

Rubbing alcohol contains a mild bleaching agent that could potentially discolor the fabric. 

3 Best Wine Stain Removal Tips 

When dealing with a stain, your instinct will probably be to panic.

However, it is best for both your mental well-being and the stained item that you remain calm. Getting upset and not thinking clearly while attempting to clean up the mess might cause you to make the stain worse.

It is also important to avoid scrubbing the stain. Because of the way wine sinks down and out into fabric, cleaning and applying unnecessary pressure will only cause the stain to continue deepening and spreading.

Finally, don’t procrastinate. No one wants to take time out of relaxation or a fun gathering to tend to a spill, but the longer you wait, the more time the stain, which is essentially a liquid dye, will have to set and become permanent. 

Conclusion

Wine spills may seem serious, but they don’t have to be the end of the world.

You can easily remove a conspicuous stain from clothing, carpet, or furniture with these simple, everyday items you already have lying around the house.