Tried and True Wine Stain Removal Tips for the Holiday Hostess

Tried and True Wine Stain Removal Tips for the Holiday Hostess

It's the holiday season. Surely you plan to host at least one holiday celebration. What is a holiday celebration without some bottles of wine, right? Until...someone spills it. It's bound to happen. Whether there is a tiny dribble at the table or a whole glass of wine splashed across your new rug, it happens to even the most careful Every Day Wine Lover.

But wine stains don't have to ruin your holidays, your parties, or your home decor. Depending on what you have on hand, you can "MacGyver" a wine stain removal solution based on what you have in your cabinets. An arsenal of everyday red wine stain removers include: hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, soda ash, vinegar, club soda, salt, white wine, and a must-have product called “Wine Away.”

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

When red wine hits a white shirt, table cloth or light colored carpet, try to blot up as much of the wine as possible and then spray hydrogen peroxide on the stain, followed by a hefty sprinkle of baking soda. Make sure that the peroxide and soda fully cover the stained area and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Then rinse with water and if it's a shirt or table cloth pop it in the laundry as usual. This method and the product, "Wine Away" are my silver bullets for quickly and completely removing red wine stains.

White Wine for Red Wine Stains

When red wine is spilled onto your carpet or clothes, white wine can be a life saver. White wine will help neutralize red wine and will make it easier to lift the color off of your carpet or clothing. Simply pour white wine over the stained area and very gently blot the liquid up with a thick towel (be very careful not to rub as this will force the stain into the carpet or clothing fibers). If the stain is still visible, you can add salt or soda to continue lifting out pigment.

Club Soda and Salt to Lift Wine Stains

Have a wine stain on the carpet or rug? Club soda can be poured on the wine stain. The carbonation will help to lift the stain from the carpet fibers while the salt acts as a buffer to keep the stain from setting. Salt should be poured on the spill to keep the wine from setting until you figure out which method of clean up you would like to go with.

Vinegar and Soap or Soda

For washable materials, like a shirt, a tablecloth, or a linen, vinegar can neutralize the purple pigments and can be combined with the stain-fighting force of your laundry detergent. I apply laundry soap or washing soda directly over the vinegar and give it a few minutes to soak in, then rinse and wash.

Wine Away - Stain Remover

Wine Away has been tested and recommended by the Good Housekeeping Institute and is even endorsed by Gourmet magazine. It is truly a wine world wonder that every red wine lover should have stowed in their cleaning cabinet. You can even keep a travel size in your suitcase, just in case.

These are just a few methods for removing red wine stains that have worked well in a pinch. See which one works well for you. Just remember, whatever you do, don't let the spill sit for long before taking action, the longer it sits the more difficult it will be to lift the stain from your carpet or clothing.

How do you remove wine stains?

Cheers wine friends!

Katie

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