Red wine stains can feel like a disaster, especially if you’ve spilled on your carpet, rug or sofa. But cleaning experts have shared their top tips for getting rid of them easily
Spilling a glass of red wine on cream carpets, rugs or a sofa can send anyone into a bit of a panic.
While it may seem like a good idea to set to work scrubbing on the stain, wine experts at La Crema have warned this is the last thing you should do, or risk it becoming permanent. According to the gurus, red wine stains can be removed “from anything” if you act quickly with the correct method.
Tannins found in red wine – the natural compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems – cause the drink’s dark colour sticks to fabrics. Chromogens in red wine, which are also present in other staining liquids like coffee and tea, are responsible for the rich, deep red colour of the wine, which is why it’s so visible when spilled, reports the Express.
“Scrubbing will help pull some of the red wine out, but actually negatively impacts the stain as it causes it to spread outward even more. And, if you’re applying too much pressure, you’re actually pushing more red wine down into the fabric. This is especially true if you’re dealing with a red wine stain on the couch or on the carpet,” the experts said.
They also warn against applying dry heat, such as a hairdryer, as this will cause “a permanent or nearly permanent stain.” Instead, wine gurus recommend using a dry, powdery substance to help draw the liquid out. “Like any liquid, red wine will move toward anything dry that it comes into contact with. Your best move right after you get a red wine stain is to grab a dry, powdery material and apply it generously on the red wine stain,” they advised. Firstly, it’s crucial to act swiftly once a glass of red wine has been knocked over on any surface. Check your kitchen cupboards for a porous powder like table salt.
Here’s what you can do:
Sprinkle the salt, or other powder, onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. If you’ve acted quickly enough, this should lift the stain, say the experts. The wine connoisseurs warn to “never” scrub the stain. Instead, use a blotting technique with a paper towel or tea towel to mop up any leftover salt or powder. If the salt method didn’t quite do the trick, give an oxi cleaner a go, which contains sodium percarbonate. When mixed with water, this transforms into hydrogen peroxide. If you’re out of oxi cleaner, try dish soap combined with hydrogen peroxide. Mix three parts hydrogen peroxide with one part dish soap and apply it to your red wine stain. Allow it to sit for roughly 20 minutes to an hour before blotting clean.
