How to Remove Red Wine From Carpet
Blot up spilled red wine quickly, then lift the stain with salt or bicarbonate of soda and a mild soap solution.
Quick answer
Blot the spill immediately with a clean white cloth or kitchen roll. Sprinkle salt or bicarbonate of soda over the wet stain to absorb the wine. After ten minutes, vacuum up the powder. Dab the area with cold water and a drop of mild dish soap, then blot dry with a clean cloth.
Red wine spills on carpet look dramatic, but you can remove most stains if you act quickly. The key is to blot, not rub, and to avoid hot water which sets the stain.
What you’ll need
- clean white cloths
- kitchen roll
- cold water
- salt or bicarbonate of soda
- mild dish soap
- vacuum cleaner
Step by step
- 1
Blot the spill immediately
Press a clean white cloth or kitchen roll onto the wet wine. Do not rub. Work from the outside in to stop the stain spreading. Keep blotting until no more wine transfers onto the cloth.
- 2
Apply salt or bicarbonate of soda
Cover the damp stain completely with salt or bicarbonate of soda. Leave it for ten minutes to absorb the wine. Vacuum up the residue thoroughly.
- 3
Prepare a cleaning solution
Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into a cup of cold water. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and wring it out so it is damp, not soaking.
- 4
Dab the stained area
Press the damp cloth onto the carpet. Blot gently. Repeat until the stain fades. Use a fresh part of the cloth each time so you do not re-deposit the wine.
- 5
Rinse with cold water
Dab a fresh cloth soaked in plain cold water over the area to remove soap residue. Blot with a dry cloth or kitchen roll.
- 6
Dry thoroughly
Leave the area to air dry completely. Do not walk on it until dry. Vacuum again once dry to lift the carpet fibres.
Do not use hot water or a hair dryer on a red wine stain. Heat sets the colour into the carpet fibres and makes removal much harder. Always test any cleaning solution on a hidden patch of carpet first.
Common mistakes
- Rubbing the stain instead of blotting it.
- Pouring hot water onto the carpet.
- Using a coloured cloth that may transfer dye.
- Skipping the rinse step and leaving soap residue in the fibres.
Frequently asked
Can I use white wine to remove red wine?
White wine can dilute red wine, but it is not necessary. Cold water and salt work just as well without wasting another drink.
What if the stain has dried?
Dried stains are harder to shift. Dab the area with cold water to rehydrate the stain, then apply bicarbonate of soda paste and follow the steps above.
Should I use a carpet shampooer?
A shampooer can help for large stains, but spot-cleaning by hand is usually enough for a single spill.
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