Red wines natural deep red colouring is lovely to look at in a glass, but not so nice to look at on your clothing. If you have spilt red wine on yourself, this is how you can remove it.
- Table salt
- Club soda
- Soap and hydrogen peroxide
- Kitty litter
- Milk
- Hot water
- Shaving cream
- Vodka
- Laundryheap
Table salt
Salt is the best stain remover for wine, but it must be used within two minutes of the wine being spilled.
Sprinkle a thick layer of salt over your stain, making sure that it is completely covered. Leave the salt for an hour so that the salt crystals can absorb the red wine. After an hour, brush the salt off of your clothing and wash the remaining salt away with water. Your stain should be completely, or at least mostly, absorbed by the salt.
Club soda
Club soda is a popular method for removing red wine stains. The carbonation in club soda is believed to have stain lifting agents, including a low PH level which makes it a weak acid.
To use the club soda method, simply pour the liquid continuously over the stain until you see the colour fade away. Once the colour has faded, leave your item to completely dry so that you can be sure that your stain has been completely removed.
Soap and hydrogen peroxide
To begin this method of stain removal, mix equal parts of soap as hydrogen peroxide in a container. Depending on which you prefer, pour, sponge, or spray the mixture onto the stain, and blot with a clean paper towel or cloth. Never rub your stain as this can lead to it spreading. After a few blots, you should notice your stain begin to transfer onto your clean cloth or paper towel. Keep blotting until the stain has been completely lifted or has at least faded in colour.
Kitty litter
Kitty litter may seem like an odd way to lift a stain, however, it is incredibly absorbent.
Simply sprinkle half an inch of kitty litter onto your stain, making sure that it is completely covered. Next, press down softly with your hands so that the kitty litter can begin absorbing the wine. Leave it for an hour so that it can work on absorbing the full stain. After an hour, hoover the kitty litter off of your clothing to see the end result. Your stain should be completely removed, or at least lighter in colour.
Milk
There are two ways that you can lift a red wine stain using milk.
The first method is to pour the milk directly over the stain, allowing it to fully soak into the fabric, before blotting it with a clean cloth or paper towel. Your stain should be completely lifted after less than an hour. Wash your clothing as normal to remove the excess liquid.
The second method is best if your red wine stain covers a larger surface area. Pour your milk into a large bowl and completely submerge your item into it. Leave it to soak for around an hour, before removing it from the milk and washing it as you usually would.
Hot water
Normally, hot water sets stains into fabric rather than lifts them, however, because of red wines fruit base, hot water will help remove the stain.
Begin by boiling water either in a pan or using a kettle. Whilst your water is boiling, in your sink stretch your stained item over a pan. Once your water has boiled, pour it over the stain from 3-4 feet above, making sure to be careful of any boiling water that may splash back at you. As you pour, you should see the colour being removed from your stain and your stain being completely lifted. Once your stain has been removed, dry the area with a clean cloth or paper towels.
Shaving cream
Shaving cream will saturate and lift your red wine stain, even after it has dried.
Spray your shaving cream over your stain, making sure that the whole area is covered. Next, use a spoon to flatten the cream into the fabric. Once your shaving cream has been flattened, wash your clothing as you usually would. Your stain should be completely lifted when you take your item out of the washing machine.
Vodka
If you don’t have vodka, any clear alcohol, such as gin, that has a higher proof than red wine should remove your stain.
Pour your vodka over the stain, making sure that the whole stain has been soaked in alcohol. Once your stain has been soaked, blot it with a clean cloth, before continuing to pour the vodka over the stain. Continue this process until your stain begins to fade and eventually disappears. Wash your item as usual.
Laundryheap
If you have a red wine stain that refuses to be removed, send it to Laundryheap. Write us a note when you make your order letting us know what item the stain is on and where it is, and we will take the utmost care to remove the stain for you.
To book your Laundryheap service, head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.
