How to Get Red Wine Out of Your Rug: A Guide
Posted On February 9, 2023Removing red wine stains can be tricky, especially on a rug. The carpet’s thick fibers thoroughly absorb the liquid, making it difficult to scrub out.
So, what do you do? You’ll need to act immediately to ensure that the wine hasn’t settled into the cloth yet.
If you find yourself spilling red wine on your precious carpet, here’s how to remove red wine stains from your rug:
What You Need to Prepare
Be prepared to quickly remove red wine stains on your carpet by keeping these items on hand:
- Paper Towels
- White Cloths
- Sponge
- Cold Water
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Dishwashing Liquid
- Baking Soda
- White Wine
- Club Soda
Things to Remember
You won’t need to worry too much about completely getting rid of a stain if you opt for a darker-colored wool rug that provides excellent stain and water repellency.
Multi-colored synthetic rugs with abstract or geometric designs are also ideal, as they’re generally easy to clean, and their busy patterns subtly hide patches of discoloration and damage.
Once you get started with spot-cleaning your carpet, you’ll find that there are many methods for removing red wine stains.
But before committing to anything, it’s best to test out any cleaning solution on a small area of the rug that isn’t very visible.
Simple Steps to Remove A Red Wine Stain From a Wool Rug
Now that we’ve got that settled, it’s time to get to work. You can save your carpet from unsightly permanent stains as long as you act quickly.
The longer you wait, the more the stain will settle into the carpet fibers. So, how do you remove red wine from a rug? Below are some simple steps to follow:
Dampen with Cold Water and Blot With A Clean Towel
If you’ve got a cold glass of water nearby, grab it and gradually pour drops of water on the stain to help dilute the red wine pigment.
Blot it carefully with a clean cloth to soak up any remaining wine. Cold water can also help moisten a dry stain.
Sprinkle Salt on the Stained Area
Once you’ve dampened and blotted the stain, sprinkle salt throughout the area.
The salt absorbs any remaining wine that you haven’t already removed from blotting, then vacuum it away after a few minutes.
Allow the salt to soak into the wet wine until it dries completely.
Squeeze Lemon Juice Directly on the Wine Stain
The citric acid from freshly squeezed lemon juice has natural bleaching properties, especially when exposed to sunlight.
For this reason, it’s worth squeezing some fresh lemons on a stubborn wine stain to get rid of it. You can also apply it on old and dried stains.
Lave it on the fabric or rug for at least 15 minutes, then blot (don’t scrub) gently with a clean, damp towel.
Apply Hydrogen Peroxide With Dishwashing Soap
Hydrogen peroxide has a strong bleaching reaction, which makes it ideal for spot-cleaning white carpets. Avoid using it on a colored carpet, as it can remove the dyes.
Be careful when applying the chemical directly onto the rug. Before doing so, test it on a small part of your carpet first.
Once you’ve determined that it’s the right cleaning method to go with, mix 2 parts hydrogen peroxide with 1 part dishwashing soap.
Spray the solution onto the carpet stain, then blot with a damp towel until the spot is no longer visible.
Pour Baking Soda Solution into the Affected Area
Baking soda is an effective stain remover as it has an abrasive texture that helps scrub stains out and dislodge dirt particles.
When combined with water, it dilutes the stain and creates a gentle cleaning paste safe for carpets and clothing.
Place the paste on the stain and blot until it vanishes. You can vacuum the carpet once the paste completely dries.
Blot Vinegar Onto the Stain
Vinegar has acetic acid, which can effectively dissolve dirt, mineral deposits, grease, and grime. Besides wine, it can also remove stubborn stains like ink and coffee.
Mix ½ teaspoon dishwashing liquid and white vinegar with 2 cups of warm water in a bowl.
Before applying the vinegar solution, use a clean cloth or dry paper towels to remove any wine absorbed by the rug.
Dip a sponge into the mixture, then blot it onto the carpet. Don’t forget to spray it with cold water after a few minutes to rinse it out.
Remove the Stain with Club Soda
The acid in club soda can decolorize stains, making it an excellent solution to wine stains. But the success rate depends on how fast you can apply it to the fabric.
If you get there quickly with a clean cloth or paper towels and club soda, you can get rid of the stain in no time.
Pour Some White Wine Onto the Stain
White wine has an enzyme that neutralizes the pigment in red wine, making the stain easier to remove.
You can get rid of the stain by pouring some white wine onto it and gently blotting it with a clean damp rag until it fades away.
Take Care of Tough Red Wine Stains On Your Carpet
So, you’ve spilled some red wine on your favorite rug? It happens all the time. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to remedy this.
From white wine to baking soda, you’ve got several cleaning solutions to choose from. Take care of tough red wine stains and keep your carpet fresh with these helpful tips.
Check out Cyrus Artisan Rugs blog for more style guides and design inspiration.
