Red wine spills on the carpet might seem like a disaster, but don’t panic—there’s hope! Those deep red tannins that make wine so rich in color also make it surprisingly easy to tackle with the right approach. Whether you're dealing with a white wool rug in your living room, a common area cleaning, or even a kitchen runner, you don’t need fancy cleaners to fix it. With a few simple household items, you can lift the stain and restore your carpet in no time. Ready to learn how to get red wine out of carpet?

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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools:

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Bowl or small bucket
• Microfiber cloths
• Sponge

Materials:

• Commercial red wine remover
• Distilled white vinegar
• Dishwashing liquid
• Oxygen-based bleach powder
• Paper towels

Instructions

Step 1: Blot, Blot, Blot

• Act quickly: As soon as the wine hits the carpet, use white paper towels or napkins to absorb as much liquid as possible.
• Blot gently: Keep moving to dry towels to avoid re-depositing the stain, and apply light pressure to reach the bottom of the fibers.
• Avoid rubbing: Rubbing can spread the stain and push the liquid deeper into the fibers.

Step 2: Choose a Stain Remover

• Commercial options: Use an effective red wine remover like Wine Away, Carbona Stain Devil, or Chateau Spill Red Wine Remover. Be sure to follow the label directions carefully.
• DIY solution: If you prefer a homemade approach, mix:
• 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
• 1/2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• 2 cups warm water
• Add this solution to a spray bottle.

Step 3: Treat the Stain

• Apply the solution: Starting from the outer edges of the stain, lightly spray the cleaning solution over the stained area, ensuring the stain is fully saturated.
• Let it sit: Allow the solution to sit for 5 to 10 minutes to break down the stain.

RELATED: Stains: Clean immediately to prevent setting.

Step 4: Blot, Rinse, and Dry

• Blot again: Use paper towels or a microfiber cloth to blot away both the cleaning solution and the stain. Keep rotating to dry towels as the stain transfers.
• Rinse: Once the stain is gone, dampen a clean microfiber cloth with fresh water and blot the area to rinse out any remaining soap residue.
• Dry: Avoid walking on the damp carpet and allow it to air dry away from direct heat. Once dry, vacuum the area to lift the carpet fibers back into place.

How to Remove Dried or Reappearing Red Wine Stains

Dried Red Wine Stains:

If you didn’t catch the stain right away and it's dried, don’t worry—it’s still possible to get rid of it. Here’s what to do:

1. Rehydrate the stain: Lightly spritz the stained area with plain water to “reconstitute” the dried wine.
2. Follow the same steps for fresh stains: Once the stain is damp, follow the same cleaning procedure you would for a fresh red wine spill (blot, treat with stain remover or DIY solution, rinse, and dry).

Reappearing Wine Stains:

Sometimes, a red wine stain that was previously cleaned may reappear, especially on shag or deep-pile carpets. This happens when the wine hasn’t been fully removed from the carpet fibers down to the backing, and as the carpet dries, the stain wicks back up to the surface.

1. Repeat the cleaning process: Go over the stained area again, ensuring that your cleaning solution reaches the bottom of the carpet fibers, down to the backing.
2. Blot and rinse again: Follow the regular blotting, rinsing, and drying steps once you’ve re-cleaned the fibers.

Residual Red Wine Discoloration:

If there’s still a slight pinkish tint left on your white or light-colored carpet, you can use oxygen bleach to tackle it.

1. Mix the solution: Follow the dilution instructions on the oxygen-bleach product, mixing it with warm water.
2. Apply the solution: Saturate the stained area with the oxygen-bleach solution using a microfiber cloth.
3. Wait and blot: Let the solution sit for at least 30 minutes before blotting the area with a dry cloth.
4. Repeat if necessary: If any discoloration remains, mix up a fresh solution and repeat the process.

Don't Waste Your Time on These Red Wine Stain Myths

When it comes to removing red wine stains, there are plenty of myths that can waste your time and even make things worse.

Here are a few common ones to avoid:

1. Sparkling Water: Sparkling water might sound like a miracle solution, but plain water works just as well to dilute and help lift a red wine stain. Skip the bubbles!
2. Salt: While it might seem like salt could help, it actually won’t remove the stain. In fact, it can damage the carpet fibers if you scrub too hard. Avoid this abrasive method.
3. Milk, Beer, or White Wine: These might seem like creative options, but they won’t do the trick. While they can dilute the wine, they leave behind sugars and fats that create a whole new mess to clean up.
4. Harsh Chemicals or Hydrogen Peroxide: Many people suggest using harsh chemicals or hydrogen peroxide, but these can discolor your carpet and make things worse. Stick to gentler, safer solutions like oxygen-based bleach.