The Easiest (and Most Effective!) Ways to Clean Up Red Wine Stains

Shifrah Combiths
Shifrah Combiths
With five children, Shifrah is learning a thing or two about how to keep a fairly organized and pretty clean house with a grateful heart in a way that leaves plenty of time for the people who matter most. Shifrah grew up in San Francisco, but has come to appreciate smaller town life in Tallahassee, Florida, which she now calls home. She's been writing professionally for twenty years and she loves lifestyle photography, memory keeping, gardening, reading, and going to the beach with her husband and children.
updated Oct 31, 2019
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Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn

Entertaining season is coming up — and not the backyard variety with beers chilling on ice. Fall and winter soirées mean indoor gatherings with slightly more formal adult drinks, like hot buttered rums and, of course, the old standby whites and reds. 

Inevitably, someone (maybe you!), will spill some red wine on the carpet, a nice dress, or your new couch. To save everyone panic and embarrassment (and to save the furniture, clothes, and rugs!) it behooves us all to have these stain-cleaning tricks tucked up our sleeves.

Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn

To Remove Wine Stains from Fabric

Whether it’s clothes, tablecloths, or upholstery, try the following methods for removing red wine stains.

Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn

The Boiling Water Method (Clothing or Tablecloths Only) 

  1. Boil some water. 
  2. Blot the stain with a white cloth. 
  3. Pull the fabric taut over a bowl. (You’ll need to secure it with a rubber band or have someone hold it tight over the bowl.)
  4. Sprinkle the stain with salt. 
  5. Pour boiling water through the stain from a height of about eight inches. 

The Milk Method

  1. Pour a bit of milk on the stain. 
  2. Let the stain and milk sit for a few minutes. 
  3. Blot the stain with a white cloth. 
  4. Rinse. 

The White Vinegar Method

  1. Douse the clothing stain in white vinegar. 
  2. Let the clothing soak for a few minutes. 
  3. Rub liquid laundry detergent directly onto the stain. 
  4. Launder in water that’s as hot as the garment allows. 
Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn

To Remove Wine Stains from Carpet

When treating carpet stains, remember to never rub the stain. Always blot and remove as much liquid as possible before attempting to address discoloration. 

The Milk Method

  1. Pour a small amount of milk on the stain. 
  2. Let the milk sit for a few minutes. 
  3. Blot the stain with a white cloth.
  4. Rinse with a rag soaked in water. 
Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn

The Club Soda Method

  1. Pour club soda on the stain. 
  2. Let it sit for a few minutes. 
  3. Blot the stain with a clean white cloth. 

The Absorption Method

  1. Pour whatever white powdery substance you have on hand onto the stain in order to draw a wet stain out of the carpet (options include table salt, baking soda, baby powder, or even kitty litter).
  2. Let the powder sit for a few minutes. 
  3. Vacuum it up. 
  4. Proceed with further stain removal to tackle lingering discoloration.
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