How to Remove Red Wine Stains from Carpet and Upholstery

A question we hear all the time is: “How do I remove a red wine stain from my carpet or upholstery?” Red wine stains can be tricky because of the tannins and acids they contain, but understanding what’s in red wine can make the removal process much easier.

Why Red Wine Stains Happen

Red wine contains tannins, a natural dye found in grape skins and other plants, along with various acids that can affect the fibers in your carpet or furniture. Every wine is different, with varying acidity measured on the pH scale. Most red wines fall between a pH of 3 and 4, meaning they are moderately acidic and can quickly affect what they touch.

Instead of trying to figure out the wine’s exact pH, the most important step is immediate action when the spill occurs.

Common Red Wine Stain Myths

1. Salt Doesn’t Help
Some people pour salt on a fresh wine stain, thinking it will absorb the liquid. While salt may temporarily soak up wine, it can actually set the stain, making it harder to remove later. Salt is helpful when setting dark colors in laundry, but on carpets or upholstery, it can lock in the red wine color.

2. White Wine Is Not a Solution
Another popular myth is pouring white wine on red wine stains. Modern carpets and rugs often use an acid-set dye process. White wine, which has a lower pH than red wine, could accelerate the bonding of the red wine to your carpet fibers, making the stain permanent.

The Best Way to Treat a Red Wine Stain

Follow these steps for the safest and most effective home treatment:

1. Blot the Spill Immediately
   Use paper towels to blot up as much red wine as possible. Avoid rubbing, as this can spread the stain.

2. Dilute the Stain
   Take a clean white cotton cloth (like a plain t-shirt) and soak it in warm water. Blot the stain gently, then follow with fresh paper towels to lift excess moisture. This dilutes the wine and prevents it from setting.

3. Apply Club Soda
   Club soda is an excellent follow-up because it has a similar pH to wine and is colorless. Use a sprayer to evenly apply club soda to the stain. Blot with paper towels to lift the wine out of the fibers.

Important: This process helps prevent the stain from setting, but professional cleaning is the only way to guarantee complete removal, especially if the wine has penetrated deep into the carpet or upholstery fibers.

Professional Red Wine Stain Removal

A skilled carpet and upholstery cleaning technician uses chemistry knowledge and professional extraction techniques to completely remove stubborn wine stains without damaging your fibers.

Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning LLC has been providing expert carpet and upholstery cleaning services in Massachusetts since 1970. Our technicians have the experience and know-how to tackle even the toughest red wine stains.

📞 Call us at 781-871-1415
🌐 Visit us at www.Alecscarpetandupholsterycleaning.com