No need to worry if you drop a glass of wine on your carpet – this cheap easy cleaning hack uses common supermarket items and can help vanish even the worst spills
It can be a nightmare trying to scrub nasty wine spill out of your living room carpet – fortunately these supermarket staples can help it vanish.
Nothing puts a damper on a party quite like watching a glass of red wine tumble onto your carpet. Not only does it create a lasting stain, it can be a pain to remove. But experts advise that acting quickly with the right technique can mean the difference between a minor mishap and a costly carpet replacement.
Cleaning experts at Lottomart have shared an effective solution that uses everyday supermarket items costing under £3 total – and coming in at just 33p per use.
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A Lottomart spokesperson explained: “The biggest mistake people make is rubbing the stain, which only pushes the wine deeper into carpet fibres.
“Instead, blotting draws the liquid upwards and out of the pile. Similarly, never pour hot water on fresh stains – heat actually sets the wine’s tannins permanently into the carpet.”
This method uses four basic items available at any UK supermarket: soda water, white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, and washing-up liquid – which can be found for under £3.
You can find a bottle of soda water at Asda for 68p, white vinegar at Tesco for 35p, bicarbonate of soda at Sainsbury’s for 59p, as well as a bottle of washing up liquid for 63p.
The Lottomart expert advised: “Start by blotting the fresh spill with clean white cloths, working from the outside inwards to prevent spreading. Then pour soda water directly onto the stain – the carbonation helps lift the wine from carpet fibres. Keep blotting until no more wine transfers to your cloth.”
You should then sprinkle bicarbonate of soda liberally over the damp area and leave for 10-15 minutes to absorb remaining moisture and odours. Then, after vacuuming thoroughly, a simple solution of one tablespoon each of white vinegar and washing-up liquid mixed in 250ml cold water should tackle any remaining discolouration.
For older, set-in stains, the experts recommend hydrogen peroxide solutions diluted to around 3%. “This can break down stubborn wine residues that water-based methods can’t shift,” they explained. “However, always test on an inconspicuous area first, particularly with wool or natural fibre carpets, as it can cause bleaching.”
The spokesperson added: “Always use white cloths to avoid colour transfer, and never rub or scrub. Work quickly on fresh spills but be patient with the cleaning process. Don’t mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide solutions – use one or the other. Avoid soaking so thoroughly that moisture reaches the underlay, which can cause mould problems.”
Lottomart experts also warn against using hot water or heat sources like hairdryers, as these can permanently set stains that might otherwise be removable.