How to remove red wine stains from carpets

Although red wine tastes wonderful, and is sure to bring a smile to your face; yet when that very wine gets spilled on your new carpet; the former smile will definitely give way to a frown and the frown might even lead to helpless tears. However do not give up hope, for there are a multitude of remedies to battle these red stains and make them go away.

But before you apply a stain remover on your carpet, primarily check it out on some discreet spot for color-fastness. Moreover consult a professional if your carpet is made of natural fibers or has special dyes.

When we talk of home-made remedies, one point which would be similar in all methods would be blotting the stain first. Time is an invaluable commodity in stain removal. The quicker you blot the stain, the easier will its removal be. You could start with your favorite carpet shampoo or clothing stain remover and if they don’t work, then following methods which deploy specialized cleaners will be able to help in the removal of red wine stains.

Method One (Using club soda)

If you are going to serve red wine in tonight’s party, then make sure you get some club soda along with it as well. Club soda comprises of carbonates and sodium components. These components play a vital role in the removal of red wine stains.

Things that you will require:

·      Club soda

·      Luke warm water

·      Dish soap

·      Clean cloth

·      Hydrogen per oxide

Steps that you need to take:

1.   First step involves the application of club soda on the red wine stain. Apply club soda and blot it. Leave the soda to blot in the stain for some time.

2.   Afterwards, make a mixture of lukewarm warm and dish soap. Apply this solution on any remaining wine stain. Make sure that the solution is well diluted and that you add only a little amount of soap.

3.   Dab this mixture on the red wine stain and continue blotting it until it is removed. Use a clean cloth for this purpose.

4.   If the stain refuses to budge, then add some amount of hydrogen per oxide to the mixture and repeat step 3. However make a small color fastness test prior to the application.

Tip:   

 If red wine  happens to get spilled on your carpet while you are serving your guests, and you don’t have time to treat this stain; then sprinkle some salt or baking soda on the stain. Salt or baking soda would absorb maximum stain and then later when you embark on the stain’s treatment, you can just vacuum it up.

Method two (Using white wine)

This method might strike you as ironical as it makes use of wine to get rid of wine stains. Yet it happens to be very effective. This method is extremely simple; however it would satisfactorily serve your purpose as white wine would neutralize the red wine, enabling its stain to get off easily.

Things that you will require:

·      White wine

·      A clean cloth

·      Water

Steps that you need to take:

1.    All you have to do is simply dab some white wine on the red wine stain with a cloth.

2.   White wine would neutralize the stain, helping in its removal.

3.   Once, the stain comes off, rinse the stain with clean water and blot it dry.

Tip:  

Plain vodka can also work instead of white wine.

Method Three (Using soap and Vinegar)

Vinegar is an effective neutralizer and when combined with the stain battling forces of detergent and water, it can help in an effective removal of red wine stains from the carpet.

Things that you will require:

·      White vinegar

·      Water

·      Clean cloth

·      Liquid dish detergent

·      Hydrogen per oxide

Steps that you need to take:

1.   Make a solution with a quarter cup of white vinegar and two thirds of a cup of water. Apply this diluted vinegar solution onto the red wine stain.

2.   Saturate the red wine stain with this solution and then blot with a clean cloth or sponge.

3.   After using the vinegar force, it is time to make use of our detergent armor.

4.   Mix one fourth teaspoon of liquid dish detergent with four cups of water.

5.   Thus, you will end up with a much diluted soap solution. Make sure that this detergent is free from bleach or lanolin otherwise it might harm the carpet’s color or texture.

6.   Apply this solution onto the red wine stain and keep blotting gently, until the stain is gone.

7.   Once the stain is gone, blot the area dry.

Precaution:

Always rub the stain from outside to inside, rather than back and forth; otherwise you might fray the carpet fibers.