Red wine stain removal guide: How to and how not to remove red wine stains

Red wine stain removal guide: How to and how not to remove red wine stains

Red wine, a moment on the lips, a lifetime on your cushion, blanket, carpet etc. If you’ve got a red wine stain, don’t panic. We’ve got you covered. Here is the ultimate red wine stain removal guide...

Why are red wine stains different to white or rosé?

White wine is pretty clear so pigment stains are less of a problem. Red and rosés, on the other hand, are full of anthocyanins which give them- and the stains they cause- their beautiful colour. The pigment is the primary problem in a colour stain of wines, so red and rosé need to be treated with more urgency than white wine stains.

All wines, however, contain tannins so it is important to still treat the stain. For white wine stains you should turn the fabric inside out and apply cold water before treating with remüvie. For rosé, do as you would with a red wine stain- it may be pink not red but it can be just as much of a nightmare for your clothes, furniture and carpets!  

Does white wine remove red wine stains? Or baking soda? Or hydrogen peroxide?

The internet is crammed with cleaning hacks - especially for red wine. Unfortunately, many of these will leave you with a sinking feeling and a still slightly pink pair of trousers. Before we run through what you should do, it’s important we debunk some of these cleaning myths. So here is how NOT to remove a red wine stain:

“Grab the white!!” It’s inevitably the first thing you will hear when the first drop of red lands on your beautiful white carpets. We’re here to tell you to leave the white firmly where it is. White wine is said to clean red wine beautifully because of its pectolytic enzymes that break down red wine. While it may slightly reduce the red wine stain, the reality is that you are now just creating a white wine stain. The result will likely be a slightly pink mess.

Steer clear. Bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide will be extremely effective against your red wine stain, but you will bleach whatever you are cleaning as well. Expect too white whites, bleach stains in colours you weren’t expecting, damaged fabric weaves and probably a headache from toxic chemical exposure- no thanks.

Baking soda is a dream on so many things, but it is also abrasive so it can damage whatever you are cleaning. With red wine stains there is also no time to see if baking soda is strong enough, you have to go straight to the big guns.

If you want to learn more about cleaning hacks to avoid check out our blog debunking the worst of the bunch here.

The Ultimate Guide to What You Should Do in a Red Wine Spillage Induced Panic

First things first, red wine stain removal is all about pace. The quicker you act the better the results will be. Second, the best result depends on what exactly you have stained. How you treat a red wine stain on silk won’t be the same as how you treat a red wine stain on marble - don’t worry we’ve done the hard work for you- red wine stain removal by fabric and material let’s go…

How to Remove Red Wine Stains From Clothes and Fabric

Clothes and fabric vary slightly depending on the weave and how delicate the fabric is. As a general rule our remüvie stain remover can be used on everything, although we encourage patch testing.

1. Blot the red wine stain with white paper towels or a lint-free white cloth. Ensure the cloth is not coloured as the pigment may transfer to create a new stain.
2. Pour sparkling water onto the stain and leave for a minute- the bubbles help break down the red wine.
3. Apply remüvie’s penetrating foam action directly onto the stain and leave for twenty seconds.
4. Dab remüvie gently with a new clean & damp white cloth.
5. With another clean and damp white cloth wipe the area clean.
6. Wash the clothes as hot as possible.
7. Do not put the clothing of fabric in the tumble dryer until the stain is completely gone as this will set the stain.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains From Leather

As leather cannot be washed in a washing machine it can take some time to clean, particularly if the leather is on the softer, more absorbent side. Red wine stains should come out if acted upon quickly enough.

1. Blot the red wine stain with white paper towels or a lint-free white cloth. Ensure the cloth is not coloured as the pigment may transfer to create a new stain.
2. Pour sparkling water onto the stain and leave for a minute- the bubbles help break down the red wine.
3. Apply remüvie’s penetrating foam action directly onto the stain and leave for twenty seconds.
4. Dab gently with a new clean & damp white cloth.
5. With another clean and damp white cloth wipe the area clean.
6. If the stain remains, repeat the process.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains From Silk

Silk needs delicate treatment, even with a red wine stain to contend with. Dab extra gently and make sure your cloth is not abrasive or you may damage the weave.

1. Blot the red wine stain with white paper towels or a lint-free white cloth. Ensure the cloth is not coloured as the pigment may transfer to create a new stain.
2. Pour sparkling water onto the stain and leave for a minute- the bubbles help break down the red wine.
3. Apply remüvie’s penetrating foam action directly onto the stain and leave for twenty seconds.
4. Dab gently with a new clean & damp white cloth.
5. With another clean and damp white cloth wipe the area clean.
6. Wash on delicate/by hand.
7. Do not put the clothing of fabric in the tumble dryer until the stain is completely gone as this will set the stain.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains From Polyester

It is generally easy to remove red wine stains from polyester, the key here is heat - go with the hottest wash you can.

1. Blot the red wine stain with white paper towels or a lint-free white cloth. Ensure the cloth is not coloured as the pigment may transfer to create a new stain.
2. Pour sparkling water onto the stain and leave for a minute- the bubbles help break down the red wine.
3. Apply remüvie’s penetrating foam action directly onto the stain and leave for twenty seconds.
4. Dab gently with a new clean & damp white cloth.
5. With another clean and damp white cloth wipe the area clean.
6. Wash as hot as possible.
7. Do not put the clothing of fabric in the tumble dryer until the stain is completely gone as this will set the stain.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains From Wool

Wool can be particularly tricky to clean, especially if the knit is very textured so make sure the red wine stain is attacked from all angles when you spray and blot.

1. Blot the red wine stain with white paper towels or a lint-free white cloth. Ensure the cloth is not coloured as the pigment may transfer to create a new stain.
2. Pour sparkling water onto the stain and leave for a minute- the bubbles help break down the red wine.
3. Apply remüvie’s penetrating foam action directly onto the stain and leave for twenty seconds.
4. Dab gently with a new clean & damp white cloth.
5. With another clean and damp white cloth wipe the area clean.
6. Wash on delicate/by hand.
7. Do not put the clothing of fabric in the tumble dryer until the stain is completely gone as this will set the stain.

What if My Stain Is Set In?

If your red wine stain has been around a little longer patience is the name of the game. It is possible that the stain will not completely disappear once it is set in, but there is a lot that we can do to really minimise it.

1. Pour sparkling water onto the stain and leave for a minute- the bubbles help break down the red wine.
2. Apply remüvie’s penetrating foam action directly onto the stain and leave for twenty seconds.
3. Dab gently with a new clean & damp white cloth.
4. With another clean and damp white cloth wipe the area clean.
5. If the item is washable, place it on the hottest possible wash.
6. Do not put the clothing of fabric in the tumble dryer until the stain is completely gone as this will set the stain.
7. If this first process does not successfully remove the red wine stain repeat with remüvie and bathe the item in hot detergent before washing again on a hot wash.
8. If the stain remains, repeat the process.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains From Carpets

The worst of the worst. Red wine on your beautiful cream carpet. Don’t worry - a bit of salt and a lot of dabbing remüvie into the pile will sort this out. 

1. Pour a generous amount of table salt onto the stain and leave it to absorb some of the stain for five minutes.
2. Sweep the salt away with a dustpan and brush and pop the stained salt in the bin. This should have removed a significant amount of the stain.
3. Pour sparkling water onto the stain and leave for a minute- the bubbles help break down the red wine.
4. Apply remüvie’s penetrating foam action directly onto the stain and leave for twenty seconds.
5. Dab gently with a new clean & damp white cloth.
6. With another clean and damp white cloth wipe the area clean.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains From Upholstery and Furniture

Upholstery and furniture generally can’t be popped in a hot wash so sometimes we need to repeat this process more than once. If you can put your item into the wash ensure you do this after step six to maximise your chance of full red wine stain removal.

1. Pour a generous amount of table salt onto the stain and leave it to absorb some of the stain for five minutes.
2. Sweep the salt away with a dustpan and brush and pop the stained salt in the bin. This should have removed a significant amount of the stain.
3. Pour sparkling water onto the stain and leave for a minute- the bubbles help break down the red wine.
4. Apply remüvie’s penetrating foam action directly onto the stain and leave for twenty seconds.
5. Dab gently with a new clean & damp white cloth.
6. With another clean and damp white cloth wipe the area clean.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains From Marble

Not the new kitchen counters! Red wine stains on marble are not as much of a nightmare as you think. Get remüvie straight on it and we can stop those horrible pink circles.

1. Blot the red wine stain with white paper towels or a lint-free white cloth. Ensure the cloth is not coloured as the pigment may transfer to create a new stain.
2. Pour cold sparkling water onto the stain and leave for a minute- the bubbles help break down the red wine.
3. Apply remüvie’s penetrating foam action directly onto the stain and leave for twenty seconds.
4. Dab gently with a new clean & damp white cloth.
5. With another clean and damp white cloth wipe the area clean.
6. If the stain still remains, repeat the whole process, trying lukewarm water.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains From Wood

Cleaning red wine stains from wood is not dissimilar to marble, but wood is more absorbent so it is important to make sure the blotting stage is done really well.

1. Blot the red wine stain with white paper towels or a lint-free white cloth. Ensure the cloth is not coloured as the pigment may transfer to create a new stain.
2. Pour cold sparkling water onto the stain and leave for a minute- the bubbles help break down the red wine.
3. Apply remüvie’s penetrating foam action directly onto the stain and leave for twenty seconds.
4. Dab gently with a new clean & damp white cloth.
5. With another clean and damp white cloth wipe the area clean.
6. If the stain still remains, repeat the whole process, trying lukewarm water.

Inspired to get working on lingering stains? Try our plant-based cleaner remüvie now. It’s tough on stains but kind to the planet.

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