How to remove red wine stains
Act fast — wine sets as it dries. Here's the safe way to lift a red wine stain — these steps work for most fabrics, and you can tailor them to yours in the tool below.
Can be stubborn — treat it now and don’t let it dry.
Do this now
- 1
Blot up as much as you can with a clean cloth — never rub.
- 2
Flush the back of the stain with cold water, or pour soda water over it, to push the colour out.
- 3
On whites or colour-fast fabric: mix 1 part washing-up liquid with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide, dab on, leave 30 minutes. Otherwise soak in oxygen bleach.
- 4
Rinse and wash as the label allows. Air-dry until you’re sure it’s gone.
Use
- Cold or soda water
- Washing-up liquid
- Hydrogen peroxide / oxygen bleach
Avoid
- Rubbing
- Hot water
- Letting it dry
- Salt (it can set the stain)
- Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, alcohol, rust remover, or other cleaners.
- Use only one stain-removal chemical at a time, then rinse before trying another.
Good to know
These steps suit most washable fabrics. Choose your fabric to tailor them — gentler for wool, silk and other delicates, firmer for cotton and denim.