How To Remove Red Wine Stains: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Red wine has been a part of Western culture for a long time, not only at parties, but people also drink it after dinner at home. A celebration without wine looks incomplete, so it’s a mandatory item for such occasions. However, red wine can be an issue when it spills on your clothes out of the blue. The reason is that it dries quickly and gets deep into the fibres. So, what you can do is to look for an expert like Love2Laundry for a step-by-step guide on how to remove red wine stains.
This way, you can understand what type of cleaning materials to use for pre-treatments and remove the fresh red wine stains. You can restore the beauty of your outfits and make them spotless without hurdles.
So, if you find out that your shirt has wine on it, here’s the method for the red wine stain removal that is dried on clothes.
Why Red Wine Stains Are So Tough to Remove
There are multiple reasons why red wine stains are tough to remove from clothes. First are the materials red wine contains, such as tannins, chromogens, and the acidic nature. It makes the wine spread quickly and leave a permanent mark.
Furthermore, the fabric type plays an important role in the absorption of the wine. Outfits like cotton, silk, and polyester can give you a tough time if red wine stains appear on them. These outfits absorb the red wine immediately, making it difficult to remove them.
What To Do Immediately After a Spill
Red wine spilling on your favourite shirt can cause panic, and you might end up with a dried red wine stain if you do not act quickly. So, what you can do is to take a clean microfiber or normal clothing piece and gently blot the affected area. If you are unable to find a cloth, try to get your hands on anything that absorbs the liquid, like tissue or paper. Even the sponge will work if you use it smartly.
Doing this, the wine won’t spread on your outfits, and you can extract the maximum amount. So, when you wash your clothes, there won’t be hurdles and challenges during the procedure.
Key Emergency Steps:
There are some emergency steps you should remember to avoid mistakes, or the red wine will spread further. Here they are.
- Rubbing The Fabric.
- Using Hot Water.
- Using Soap Or Detergent Quickly.
- Not Testing The Cleaning Solution First.
Also Read – Tired of dealing with hard water and stains occurring on outfits? Read our blog on what hard water stains are for details.
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Red Wine Stains
Removing red wine stains could be incomplete if you don’t have a step-by-step guide. The reason is that these steps will provide you with what to do and what to avoid during the procedure.
For instance, you’ll get instructions on how effective the eco-friendly laundry detergents can be for the red wine stains on clothes. So, let’s have a look at the steps for the procedure. You might even get the answer to the question ‘Does salt remove red wine stains.’
Step 1: Use Salt as a Quick Absorber
The first step for the dried red wine stain removal technique on clothes is to use salt as a quick absorber. What you can do is blot the fresh stains of red wine with a clean cloth and put some salt on it.
The salt will start to absorb the moisture, resulting in the prevention of deep spreading of red wine stains. If you do not have the cloth available instantly, sprinkle the salt on the blob of red wine in a manner that it does not spread around the blob but into the bubble.
Step 2: Rinse with Cold Water
As soon as possible, bring the stained fabric under running cold water from behind. Flushing from the back pushes the wine out of the fibres rather than deeper into them. Do not use warm or hot water at this time, as heat can set the stain immediately, which will make it much harder to remove later.
Step 3: Dish Soap & Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
For stubborn and heavier fabrics like cotton and linen, mix 1 part dishwashing liquid with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide; apply directly to the staining and let stand for several minutes before rinsing off.
This combination breaks down the pigments of wine and lets them out. Don’t use this on delicate fabrics like silk or wool because the peroxide degrades or discolours these fabrics.
Step 4: Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda is the natural enemy of stains. Mix baking soda with a small quantity of water to form a thick paste and spread it on the stain, allowing it to sit for approximately 20 minutes. As it dries, the paste draws the wine pigments from the fibres. After the time is up, rinse with cold water thoroughly.
Step 5: Club Soda or Sparkling Water
When cleaning agents are unavailable, pouring club soda directly on the stain can work gently and effectively. Then blot out using a clean cloth. Carbonation will help bubble out the wine particles from the fabric while preventing the stain from setting with its mild acidity. This is particularly effective for initial, quick emergency remedies while the stain is still fresh.
Step 6: Vinegar and Laundry Detergent
For most colored fabrics, vinegar tends to be a safe option because it neutralises the purple and red pigments present in wine. The first step is to immerse the stained spot in white vinegar and then immediately rub in a little liquid laundry detergent; rinse under cold water. It may take several repetitions to remove the stain. This method works without fear of losing colour in most fabrics.
Step 7: Professional Laundry & Dry Cleaning
Certain fabrics, such as silk, wool, and vintage clothing, tend to need special care. DIY methods applied to this fabric can cause permanent damage, fading, or weakening of the fabric. In such instances, it is wise to leave it up to professionals to deal with the removal of the stains.
Love2Laundry’s expert stain removal service will cater to your garments with an aimed purpose for delicate textile treatment with suitable techniques and proprietary innovations to assure safety and assurance, even as restoring your garments without risk.
Also Read – Want to know what is laundry stripping? Our blog will provide you with guidance.
How to Remove Old or Dried Red Wine Stains
Red wine stains that are dried or set permanently can be tough to remove from outfits. A proper cleaning technique would be needed for the treatment of your clothes. You can use the best red wine stain remover mentioned above to make your clothes spotless, but if the stains are fresh, blot them with a clean cloth first to prevent them from spreading.
You can even use oxygen and enzyme-based bleach for the treatment of your clothes. In case the DIY technique is ineffective, you can trust a professional like Love2Laundry for washing your outfits.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Washing red wine stains and still seeing some marks left is enough to stress your mind. However, most people don’t survey the washing procedure and end up making a mistake. It can even damage your clothes instead of removing the red wine.
So, here are the mistakes that might occur during the washing procedure, and it would be best to avoid them.
- Using Warm or Hot Water.
- Scrubbing Instead Of Blotting.
- Applying Bleach To Coloured Fabrics.
- Not Choosing The Right Spin Cycle For Your Laundry.
Red Wine Stain Removal on Different Fabrics
There’s one thing you should remember that each fabric reacts differently after sustaining red wine stains. For instance, the cleaning procedure to get red wine out of carpets would be different from the one for clothes.
So, here are some fabrics that could require a specific technique for the removal of red wine stains.
Cotton & Linen
Red wine stains on cotton and linens can be perfectly removed with some durable DIY techniques. You can use a mixture of dish soap and laundry detergent for such synthetic fabrics.
Apply the cleaning solution directly on the red wine stains and let it set for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing with cold water. After seeing your clothes cleaned and brightened, you can relax with a satisfied result.
Silk & Wool
Silk and wool fabrics are delicate, and after sustaining red wine stains, it would be risky to wash them with DIY techniques. So, what you can do is to contact an expert cleaner to take good care of your delicate outfits.
The professionals use modern cleaning methods and materials that remove the stains without causing damage. They’ll even dry your clothes naturally to prevent the residues and inspect if the stains are completely removed.
Polyester & Blends
When it comes to the removal of dried red wine stains from clothes like polyester and blends, a technique with moderate heat and a DIY technique would be effective.
You can use a little amount of warm water and baking soda to clean polyester and blends properly. However, remember to test the cleaning agent first to determine if it will work effectively.
Preventing Red Wine Stains in the Future
Washing your clothes today to remove red wine stains does not guarantee that your clothes will be safe in the future. For example, red wine stains can appear on your favourite shirt the next day after you clean it.
So, here are some maintenance tips you can use for future protection from wine stains.
- Treat fabrics with a fabric protector.
- Keep a stain removal kit handy.
- Wash stained clothes quickly instead of leaving them overnight.
When to Call in the Experts
There will be a situation when the DIY techniques you’re using won’t be enough to remove red wine stains from your clothes. Moreover, you might be short on time due to a busy schedule.
So, what you can do is to contact a professional like Love2Laundry and let us wash your clothes. We’ll use premium-quality cleaning materials and procedures to protect your outfits from sustaining damage. To save you time, we’ll offer you on-time pickup and drop laundry services to prevent delays and hurdles.
FAQs – Remove Red Wine Stains
How do you get red wine out of fabric?
The easiest way to remove red wine stains from outfits is to use a cleaning solution of dishwashing detergent and hydrogen peroxide. Mix equal parts of both cleaners together and let your clothes soak in the solution. The stain will begin to fade slowly, and your outfits will be spotless.
How do you remove a red wine stain after it has set in?
If the red wine stain is set in your clothes after drying, you can use bleach for removal. If the stain of red wine is dense and deep, a colour-safe bleach would be effective. Apply it to your clothes and leave the bleach for 5 minutes before washing them. For a question like ‘Does salt remove red wine stains?’ you’ll find your answer here.
Does boiling water remove wine stains?
It’s easier to remove red wine stains with boiling water, as it can dilute the molecules and release the wine stains that are stuck in the fibres. Do this procedure before washing your outfits for an effective pretreatment technique.
Wrap Up!
After getting the details on how to remove red wine stains, you can keep your clothes durable and prevent damage. The tips to follow to remove fresh wine stains, and a step-by-step guide for the removal, will always keep you one step ahead.
Moreover, if you have a question ‘Does salt remove red wine stains?’ the cleaning techniques will provide you with the answer. So, whenever you see red wine on your clothes in the future, these techniques will help you.
