Red wine is one of the great fears due to the stains it leaves, not only on carpets but also on clothing and all kinds of fibres. 

Fortunately, clothes can be washed appropriately or, in some cases, dry-cleaned to remove a stain from the fabric, but carpets are a bit trickier. Therefore, at the slightest contact of wine with the carpet, you must act as soon as possible, especially if you want to continue using the carpet.

The guide below provides a couple of methods you can try – just make sure you follow them strictly since the last thing you want is to stain or damage your carpet further.

Cleaning method using sparkling water.

You will need to have the following at home to be able to act immediately:

• paper towels
• sparkling water
• a sponge
• carpet cleaner foam

These are the steps to follow:

1. Use paper towels on the stain to absorb the red wine – tap from the outside to the inside to prevent it from spreading.
2. Pour some sparkling water (if you don’t have any, hydrogen peroxide can be used) – you’ll see bubbles coming out. If you are using hydrogen peroxide, you should test it on a small carpet area. A bleach or discolouration is possible for certain carpet types.
3. Use a sponge (without rubbing) to remove the liquid/bubbles it produces.
4. Shake the bottle and pour the carpet foam on the stain – use the sponge carefully to spread it well.

Cleaning method using hydrogen peroxide.

For this cleaning method, you’ll require the following:

• Dawn dish detergent
• Hydrogen peroxide
• White paper towels
• Two spray bottles
• A cup of cold water

The cleaning process:

1. First, you’ll have to create the cleaning solution by mixing the hydrogen peroxide with Dawn and pouring it into the spray bottle. 
2. When ready, proceed to spray the cleaning solution over the stain lightly.
3. Next, blot the stain using paper towels. Be sure to change the towel frequently, as you don’t want to spread the stain further. Continue blotting the area until the red wine has been lifted from the fibres.
4. Afterwards, mix a rinsing solution with a glass of tap water and a few drops of dish detergent. 
5. Fill in the other spray bottle with the rinsing solution and spray it over the previously stained area. 
6. Then, blot the wine stain with a clean cloth and frequently spray the area with the mixture. Continue rinsing, blotting and spraying until you’ve lifted the cleaning solution you used to remove the stain.

When you are done cleaning the wine stain, only two more steps are left.

1. The first one is to dry the carpet. Place a paper towel over the stained area, stack a pile of books on top of it and allow it to sit like so for several hours for the towel to absorb any remaining liquids.

After you remove the books and the towel, allow the area to dry thoroughly. If necessary, open the windows to ventilate the house and allow air to facilitate the drying of the carpet, hang the carpet in the sun or if you’re in a hurry, you can use a hair dryer but don’t get too close. It is essential that the carpet dries completely, as otherwise, it could acquire moisture and bad odour.

1. Wait for the carpet to dry completely, and as a final step, vacuum it to restore the carpet’s texture. 

It’s very unlikely that after going through the whole process, there’s still a resistant stain left. However, if it’s just a little left or a more stubborn spot, it’s best to repeat the whole process step by step.

How to remove pink wine stains from the carpet?

It may also happen that a pink wine falls on the carpet. In that case, the steps to follow are similar to those for red wine. The first and most important step to do is to try to dry the stain as much as possible with paper towels or napkins.

Then, you can create one of the cleaning solutions for removing red wine stains, and you will almost certainly get very good results.

What if the stain is from white wine?

You will be surprised to know that combining baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and white wine helps remove red wine stains from the carpet. So, if a white wine falls on it, you can rest assured that the carpet will most probably not stain. However, some bad odour may be left, so dry the wine immediately. Then proceed by following the steps we already mentioned above.

Other products that work to clean wine stains.

In case you don’t have sparkling water or hydrogen peroxide at home, don’t worry because there are alternative solutions that you can easily create with ingredients that everyone has:

• Vinegar and dishwashing liquid: You can make this mixture if you have vinegar and dishwashing liquid at home. Take 15 grams of each and 2 cups of hot water. Mix everything and apply it to the stain. Finally, wipe with a cotton cloth with cold water.
• Baking soda: Another great ally for removing tough stains is baking soda. If you have some at home, you can try this trick. After drying the stain and pouring a little cold water, make a paste by mixing one part baking soda with three parts water. Let it dry, and then vacuum it.

How to remove any other stains from the carpet?

If you spill a liquid on a carpet, place a paper towel or cloth on the stain immediately to absorb the spill before the carpet does. It is not recommended to rub the stain to avoid spreading the stain and moisture.

Don’t use salt under any circumstances. Although some people claim that you can remove wine stains from a carpet using salt, the truth is that it is a risky method. The stain could become more fixed and remain there permanently, in addition to possibly damaging the carpet’s fibres. We recommend using other methods such as the ones we have mentioned or read more about suitable carpet cleaning methods.

More tricks to remove wine from fabrics.

If you stain a shirt or pants with wine, remove the excess with a paper towel and apply the same trick we used with carpets.

If the wine stain has dried, it’s best to soak the garment in a container filled with equal parts white vinegar and water. You can enhance the mix with a squirt of liquid dish soap or common laundry detergent.

Another much simpler solution is to use a commercial stain remover. However, the homemade tricks we have shown you will work just as well.

You can always rely on a professional carpet cleaning company as well.

Final toughs

Red wine stains can be a pain, but with the help of the right items and methods, it is possible to remove them from carpets. Two simple yet powerful solutions were provided here, with ingredients easily found at home. On top of that, some alternative solutions were mentioned as well, such as using vinegar and dishwashing liquid or baking soda. Acting fast and following the steps carefully is the key to avoiding damaging the carpet further. Remember to let the carpet dry thoroughly and vacuum it as a final step. Avoid using salt as a cleaning method, as it might worsen the stain instead. By using these tips, you can quickly and efficiently clean wine stains and restore your carpet’s appearance.