How to Remove Red Wine Stains

Whether at a wine-tasting or your neighbor’s dinner party, if there’s red wine, it will end up on someone’s clothing or tablecloth. The key to removing red wine stains is acting quickly – the stain will be much easier to remove while it is still wet.

Removing a Fresh (wet) Stain

It is easiest to remove red wine when it is still wet. Dried wine stains are harder to remove, and addressed further in this article. Also, be sure throughout the process to blot the stain, not rub it, as this will only push the stain further into the fabric. Use the following steps until the stain is removed.

You Will Need:

White wine
Salt
Baking Soda
Talcum Powder
Club Soda
Boiling water

How to Remove the Red Wine Stain:

These techniques should be safe for most washable fabrics, but be sure to test a small, inconspicuous spot to ensure there is no discoloring or damage to the fabric fibers.

Begin by blotting with a clean cloth to remove as much of the wine as possible. It’s very important to BLOT throughout this entire process DO NOT SCRUB. Working from the outside of the stain towards the center will keep the stain from spreading.
Dab the stain with white wine and blot with a clean cloth.
If the stain still remains, try dabbing a little bit of club soda on the stain and blot to remove.
If the stain still persists, try pouring either salt, baking soda, talcum powder on the stain and letting it set. The powder should soak up the stain and remove it.
If your fabric can withstand boiling water, try the following method:
1. Lay the stain across an large bowl
2. Pour boiling water over the stain and let the water draw it out as it runs through the fabric into the bowl.
When the stain is removed, wash the clothing in cold water following detergent recommendations on the care tag.
You may want to air-dry the clothing to be sure the stain is not noticeable when it’s dry. If you place it in the dryer and it’s not completely gone, it will be set from the heat and impossible to remove.

Removing Old Red Wine Stains

Dried wine stains are more difficult to remove, but not impossible. Again, be sure throughout the process to blot the stain, not rub it, as this will only push the stain further into the fabric.

You Will Need:

Non-bleach/Non-alkali dish detergent such as Dawn
Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
Towel
Cloth white cloths or paper towels
Cream of Tartar
Water

How to Remove the Red Wine Stain:

These techniques should be safe for most washable fabrics, but be sure to test a small, inconspicuous spot to ensure there is no discoloring or damage to the fabric fibers.

It’s very important to BLOT throughout this entire process DO NOT SCRUB. Working from the outside of the stain towards the center will keep the stain from spreading.
Place a towel inside of the garment to keep the stain from transferring to the other side.
Blot the stain with a solution of one part dish detergent and 2 parts hydrogen peroxide.
If this does not remove the stain, try applying a paste made of cream of tartar and water.
Let it set for a few minutes and then rinse by blotting with a clean damp towel.
When the stain is removed, wash the clothing in cold water following detergent recommendations on the care tag.
You may want to air-dry the clothing to be sure the stain is not noticeable when it’s dry. If you place it in the dryer and it’s not completely gone, it will be set from the heat and impossible to remove.

Additional Tips and Ideas

Avoid using warm water, as it can speed up the setting process and make the stain more difficult to remove.
If you’re traveling, or are in a pinch, try rubbing white Colgate toothpaste on the stain to remove it.
If the stain is on a garment that is dry-clean only, do not pre-treat or attempt to remove the stain. Take the item to a professional cleaner as soon as possible to have the stain treated.

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Sue June 10, 2009 at 3:01 am Removing Red Wine Stains: The hydrogen peroxide and dish detergent solution worked wonderfully! It took some time and effort, but it was well worth it. I used it on a red wine stain that was dry but only a few hours old.

Thanks to whomever is responsible for this idea!
Cheryl January 5, 2010 at 10:53 pm Removing red wine stains: I agree that the tip about the hydrogen peroxide and dish detergent work. I used Ivory because that is what I have on hand. I just cleaned a dried stain of wine that was from a dinner spill. My husband had put some salt on it at the time. I don’t know if that contributed to the ease of cleaning or not.
Red Wine Stain June 11, 2010 at 9:45 pm Removing Red Wine Stain from White pants: I didn’t have hydrogen peroxide on hand so I used oxyclean and woolite, added a little water to disolve and make a watery paste, applied to stain and let sit for while. I checked it every hour and in about 4 hours the stain was gone. Rinse and reapply if needed.
Susie July 7, 2010 at 7:12 pm Red Wine Gone: OMG, tried this and it actually worked. The red wine splattered all over my favorite white shirt at lunch, and I couldn’t take it off until later that night, long after it was dried. And I think it’s totally gone. It does take a little time, but so worth it. Thank you!!