How to Remove Red Wine Stains

The Golden Rule: Act Fast

Red wine stains are far easier to remove when fresh. The tannins in red wine bond with fabric fibers over time, so the sooner you act, the better your chances of complete removal.

Don’t panic — and definitely don’t rub the stain. Rubbing pushes the wine deeper into the fibers and spreads it outward.

Immediate First Aid

1. Blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel — press firmly, don’t rub
2. If available, pour salt or baking soda generously over the stain to absorb the wine
3. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then brush off the salt

This alone can prevent a permanent stain if done within the first few minutes.

Method 1: Club Soda (Easiest)

Best for: light-colored fabrics, tablecloths

1. Blot excess wine
2. Pour club soda directly onto the stain
3. Continue blotting with a clean cloth
4. Repeat until the stain lifts
5. Wash normally according to the care label

The carbonation helps lift the pigment while the salts in the soda water prevent the stain from setting.

Method 2: Salt + Boiling Water

Best for: cotton tablecloths, sturdy white fabrics

1. Cover the stain thickly with table salt
2. Wait 5 minutes for the salt to absorb the wine (it will turn pink)
3. Stretch the fabric over a bowl
4. Pour boiling water through the stain from a height of 8-12 inches
5. The combination of gravity and heat flushes out the pigment

Warning: Only use this on fabrics that can handle hot water — check the care label first!

Method 3: Dish Soap + Hydrogen Peroxide

Best for: most washable fabrics

1. Mix equal parts liquid dish soap and 3% hydrogen peroxide
2. Apply to the stain and let sit for 20-30 minutes
3. Blot and check progress
4. Wash as normal

Note: Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach. Test on a hidden area first, and only use on fabrics where the care label allows non-chlorine bleach.

Method 4: White Wine + Baking Soda

Best for: when you’re at a dinner party and need a quick fix

1. Pour a small amount of white wine over the red wine stain
2. This dilutes the red pigment (the alcohol helps dissolve it)
3. Apply a paste of baking soda and water
4. Let dry, then brush off
5. Wash when you get home

Fabric-Specific Tips

Silk

• Blot gently, use cold water only
• Take to a professional cleaner — silk is too delicate for most home stain treatments

Wool

• Blot with cold water and a wool-safe detergent
• Don’t use hydrogen peroxide on wool
• Lay flat to dry after treatment

Cotton

• Most methods above work well on cotton
• For white cotton, you can use diluted chlorine bleach as a last resort

Synthetic Fabrics

• Usually the easiest to treat — most stains come out with regular washing
• Pre-treat with dish soap, then machine wash

What NOT to Do

• Don’t rub — this spreads the stain and damages fibers
• Don’t use hot water first — heat sets the stain
• Don’t put it in the dryer until the stain is completely gone — dryer heat makes it permanent
• Don’t panic — even old stains can often be improved with repeated treatment