How to Remove Red Wine Stains from Clothing, Carpet, Upholstery, and More

Jessica Bennett

Wed, May 25, 2016 at 4:10 PM UTC

13 min read

Remove a Red Wine Stain

Red wine is notorious for the stain it can leave behind when spilled. Learn how to remove a red wine stains with these simple tricks, using tools and products you likely already have in your laundry room, or around the house.

One bump or slip can send red wine tipping, splashing, or spilling all over clothing, carpet, and upholstery. Because of the beverage's deep pigment and tannin content, red wine stains are notoriously stubborn and difficult to remove. However, knowing the right way to treat wine stains on different surfaces can help you effectively clear away the mark without a trace.

No matter what material you're dealing with, it's important to act as quickly as possible. Before you do anything else, blot the area (don't rub) with a clean white cloth to soak up as much excess liquid as possible. This helps prevent the red wine stain from sinking deeper into the material and reduces the amount of wine you'll have to remove later. Then immediately treat the red wine stain using the appropriate method before it has a chance to set in. Always check the manufacturer's label before trying a new stain remover to ensure you won't damage the material.

In our stain removal guide below, we'll show you how to get red wine stains out of clothing in a wide variety of fabrics. You'll also learn how to treat red wine stains on other common household materials, including carpet, stainless steel, ceramic tile, laminate flooring, and more. With these handy tips, you can feel confident in your ability to remove red wine stains no matter where they happen.

How to Remove Wine Stains on Acrylic Fabrics

Before you start, read the garment's label carefully and follow any instructions. You should also follow the manufacturer's instructions on any cleaning products mentioned. To remove a wine stain from acrylic, rinse the affected area in cold water as soon as possible; this will dilute the stain and prevent the wine from setting. Following the guidelines on the clothing care label, washing in the warmest water recommended. Inspect the stain; if any wine remains, wash in color-safe bleach (for colored garments) or liquid chlorine bleach (white items only), if the garment label says it's OK. Air-dry, inspect, and repeat as needed before drying as directed on the garment label.

How to Get Red Wine Off Brick

For wine stains on brick floors, scrub the wine stain with warm, soapy water and a stiff-bristle brush. Rinse the brick surface. If the stain remains, blot with hydrogen peroxide or bleach diluted with water (mix according to the bottle's directions). Let sit for five minutes. Rinse with clear water.

Treating Red Wine Stains on Canvas

To treat wine on canvas upholstery, blot the stain with warm, sudsy water, then blot with a dry cloth. Dab in a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and water, and blot again. Dab in warm, sudsy water again; blot. Dab with clear water; blot dry. Repeat as necessary.

To treat a wine stain on washable canvas, soak the garment for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1 quart lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon mild clear dish soap, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Rinse with water. If stain remains, lay the garment facedown atop a work surface padded with absorbent white rags or paper towels. Lightly sponge stain with rubbing alcohol (test on an inconspicuous spot first), blotting from outward edges toward the center. If stain remains, soak the garment for 30 minutes in an enzyme solution: 1 quart warm water mixed with 1 tablespoon of an enzyme presoak product ($6, Target). If stain remains, launder the garment using a bleach product that is safe for the fabric. Make sure the stain is gone before drying as directed on the garment's label.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains on Carpet and Rugs

To remove wine from natural-fiber carpet and area rugs, dab the stain with warm, sudsy water, then blot dry. Dab with a solution that's 1 part clear ammonia to 8 parts water, then blot dry. (Follow usage guidelines on the ammonia bottle.) Dab with a 50-50 vinegar-water solution, then blot dry. Dab with warm, sudsy water again. Dab with water. Blot dry. Repeat all if necessary.

To remove wine from synthetic carpet, dab the stain with warm, sudsy water. Wait 15 minutes, then blot dry. Dab in a solution that's 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water. Wait 15 minutes more, then blot with a damp cloth. Blot with lukewarm water. Blot dry. Repeat steps until stain lifts.

Red Wine Stain Removal Tips for Ceramic Tile

To remove wine from ceramic tile, wipe the tile immediately with warm, sudsy water. If wine stain persists, spray with a mix of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 2 parts water. Let sit 30 minutes. Rinse with a warm, damp cloth. Repeat if necessary.

How to Get Red Wine Out of Chenille

Dab the wine stain with warm, soapy water, then blot with a dry cloth. Dab with a 50-50 vinegar-water solution; blot dry. Dab with warm, soapy water again, then blot dry. Dab with clear water, then blot dry. Repeat as necessary.

To treat wine stains on washable chenille items, soak the wine stain in cold water or club soda, pretreat with an enzyme stain remover ($8, Target), and then launder. Note: Always follow the instructions on the garment's label and the manufacturer's instructions on any product mentioned.

How to Treat Red Wine Stains on Concrete

Scrub the wine stain with warm, soapy water and a stiff-bristle brush. Rinse the concrete surface with clear water. If stain remains, blot with hydrogen peroxide or bleach diluted with water (mix according to the bottle's directions). Let sit for five minutes. Rinse.

Tips for Treating Red Wine Stains on Corduroy

To treat a wine stain on washable corduroy, mix together 1 quart lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid hand-dishwashing soap, and 1 tablespoon vinegar, and soak the garment for 15 minutes. Rinse. If the stain is gone, wash according to the garment's label. If the stain remains, lightly sponge the stain with rubbing alcohol (test on an inconspicuous spot first), blotting from the edge to the center. Rinse and air-dry. If the stain is gone, wash according to the garment's label. If not, mix a solution of 1 quart warm water with 1 tablespoon of an enzyme presoak product. Let the clothing soak for 30 minutes, and if the stain is now gone, wash according to the garment's label. Check to make sure the stain is gone before drying as directed.

How to Clean Red Wine Stains on Cork

Wipe wine spill immediately. Wipe the cork surface with water, then wipe dry. If stain remains, clean with warm, sudsy water. Rinse, then dry immediately.

Tips for Removing Red Wine Stains from Cotton

To treat wine on cotton upholstery, blot the stain with warm, sudsy water, then blot with a dry cloth. Blot again. Dab in a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and water, and blot again. Dab in warm, sudsy water again; blot. Dab with clear water; blot dry. Repeat as necessary.

To treat wine on cotton fabric or clothes, soak the stain in cold water or club soda, and pretreat with an enzyme stain remover ($12, Target) following the manufacturer's instructions. Then launder according to the item label's directions.

What to Do About Red Wine on Laminate Floors

Wipe up wine spills immediately with a microfiber cloth. If necessary, follow with a barely damp cloth, then dry immediately. If stain remains, carefully spot-clean with a laminate-floor cleaner ($5, The Home Depot) following the manufacturer's instructions.

Removing Red Wine Stains on Leather

Fill a jar halfway with lukewarm water, and add a squirt of mild dish soap. Shake to create lots of suds. With a sponge, apply only the suds, gently dabbing at the stained area. Wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth. Apply with a leather cleaner/conditioner ($6, The Home Depot) following the manufacturer's instructions.

How to Treat Red Wine Stains on Linen

To treat wine on linen upholstery, blot the stain with warm, sudsy water, then blot with a dry cloth. Dab in a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and water, and blot again. Dab in warm, sudsy water again; blot. Dab with clear water; blot dry. Repeat as necessary.

To treat a wine stain on washable linen, soak the garment for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1 quart lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Rinse with water. If stain remains, lay the garment facedown atop a work surface padded with absorbent white rags or paper towels. Lightly sponge stain with rubbing alcohol, blotting from edges toward the center (test on an inconspicuous spot first). If stain remains, soak the garment for 30 minutes in an enzyme solution (1 quart warm water mixed with 1 tablespoon of an enzyme presoak product). If stain remains, launder the garment using a bleach product that is safe for the fabric. Make sure the stain is gone before drying as directed on the garment's label.

Stain Removal Tips for Linoleum and Other Natural Resilient Floorings

Wipe the wine stain with rubbing alcohol, then with a damp cloth. Wipe dry. If stain remains on the floor, make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently rub into the stain until it lifts. Rinse with clear water, then dry.

How to Get Red Wine Out of Nylon

To remove a wine stain from nylon, rinse the affected area in cold water as soon as possible; this will dilute the stain and prevent the wine from setting. Following the guidelines on the garment care label, wash in the warmest water recommended. Inspect the stain; if any wine remains, wash in color-safe bleach (colors) or liquid chlorine bleach (whites), if the garment label says it's OK. Air-dry, inspect, and repeat as needed before drying as directed on the garment label.

How to Clean Red Wine Stains on Painted Walls

To remove stains on painted walls, dab with a sponge or soft cloth dipped in water. Blot dry. If stain remains, apply a few drops of clear mild dish detergent to your sponge or cloth, and blot on the stain. Blot thoroughly with water, then dry with a clean cloth. For a stubborn stain, spray with a multipurpose household cleaner ($9, Target) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Blot with clear water, then blot dry.

Washing Red Wine Out of Polyester

To remove a wine stain from polyester, rinse the affected area in cold water as soon as possible; this will dilute the stain and prevent the wine from setting. Following the guidelines on the garment care label, wash in the warmest water recommended. Inspect the stain; if any wine remains, wash in color-safe bleach (colors) or liquid chlorine bleach (whites), if the garment label says it's OK. Air-dry, inspect, and repeat as needed before drying as directed on the garment label.

How to Treat Red Wine Stains on Silk

Blot to remove as much wine as possible. With a rag, blot with cool water until stain stops transferring to rag. If stain remains on the silk, lightly dab in a mixture of mild clear dish soap with a few drops of white vinegar. (Test on an inconspicuous spot first.) Blot with water, then blot dry. Continue as stain lifts. As a last resort, blot with hydrogen peroxide. (Test on an inconspicuous spot first.) Blot with clear water, then blot dry.

Removing Wine Stains on Spandex/Lycra

To remove a wine stain from spandex/Lycra, rinse the affected area in cold water as soon as possible; this will dilute the stain and prevent the wine from setting. Following the guidelines on the garment care label, wash in the warmest water recommended. Inspect the stain; if any wine remains, wash in color-safe bleach (colors) or liquid chlorine bleach (whites), if the garment label says it's OK. Air-dry, inspect, and repeat as needed before drying as directed on the garment label.

How to Clean Wine Stains on Stainless Steel

To clean stains on stainless-steel surfaces, start with a towel soaked in vinegar. Wipe with the damp towel, rinse, and wipe dry. If stain remains, gently rub the stain with a paste of baking soda and mild clear dish soap. When scrubbing stainless steel, be sure to go with the grain to prevent damage to the surface. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Red Wine Stain Removal Tips for Suede

Fill a jar halfway with lukewarm water, and add a squirt of mild clear dish soap. Shake to create lots of suds. With a sponge, apply only the suds, gently dabbing at the stained area. Wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth. Finish with a suede cleaner/conditioner ($7, Target), applied according to the manufacturer's instructions.

How to Treat Wine Stains on Velvet

To treat a wine stain on washable velvet, mix together 1 quart lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap, and 1 tablespoon vinegar, and soak the garment for 15 minutes. Rinse, and if the stain is gone, wash according to the garment's label. If the stain remains, lightly sponge the stain with rubbing alcohol (test on an inconspicuous spot first), blotting from the edge to the center. Rinse and air-dry. If the stain is gone, wash according to the garment's label. If not, mix a solution of 1 quart warm water with 1 tablespoon of an enzyme presoak product. Let the clothing soak for 30 minutes, and if the stain is now gone, wash according to the garment's label. Check to make sure the stain is gone before drying as directed.

How to Clean Red Wine on Vinyl

Wipe the wine stain with rubbing alcohol, then with a damp cloth. Wipe dry. If a stain remains on the vinyl, make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently rub into the stain until it lifts. Rinse with clear water, then dry.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains on Wool

Blot to remove as much excess wine on the wool surface as possible. Blot with a consumer dry-cleaning solvent to remove grease. Blot with water, then blot dry. If stain remains, mix a solution of 1 teaspoon neutral detergent and 1 teaspoon white vinegar in 1 quart warm water. Blot stain. Blot with clear water. Repeat until stain lifts. Blot dry. Note: Be sure to follow the instructions on the garment's label and the manufacturer's instructions on any products mentioned as you go through this process.

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