How to remove a red wine stain

For anyone who just spilled red wine on washable fabric and wants the mark gone before it sets.

Blotting lifts liquid wine before pigments bind to the fibers. That stops the stain from locking in under heat or time.

Gather: clean white cloths, cold water, table salt, mild dish soap, and a bowl.

Step 01
BLOT the fresh spill at once with a clean white cloth, pressing straight down.
Lift the cloth and check the spot. If wine still beads on the surface, press again with a dry section until the cloth picks up almost no more color.
Step 02
COVER the damp area with a thick layer of table salt until no fabric shows.
The salt should sit like a small mound. If any wet spot peeks through, add another pinch so the crystals can pull remaining liquid upward.

Step 03

WAIT while the salt works, about ten to fifteen minutes or until the crystals look pink or damp.

Check the salt color. When it has taken on a rosy tint, the pull is done; if it stays pure white and dry, give it a few more minutes before the next move.

Step 04

BRUSH the spent salt off into a bowl or trash with a dry cloth or soft brush.

Wipe gently until no grit remains. If colored salt clings, tip the fabric and tap from underneath so loose crystals fall away cleanly.

Step 05

DAB the spot with a cloth dampened in cold water mixed with a few drops of mild dish soap.

Work from the outside edge toward the middle. You know the soap is helping when the remaining pink fades on the cloth; switch to a clean section if the cloth itself turns red.

Step 06

RINSE the soapy area under a gentle stream of cold water or by blotting with a fresh cold-wet cloth.

Keep going until no suds or color transfer shows on a clean white cloth pressed to the spot. If pink still lifts, repeat the soap dab once more before moving on.

Step 07

WASH the item alone in cold water on a normal cycle, then air-dry and check before any heat.

After the cycle, look at the former stain in good light. If any shadow remains, retreat with soap before the dryer; heat will set whatever is left.

The most common mistake

Rubbing the spill spreads pigment deeper into the weave. Press and lift straight up instead.

Pro tip

On white cotton a golf-ball-size dab of dish soap mixed with a splash of three-percent hydrogen peroxide can replace the plain soap step; rinse well and test a hidden corner first.

Say it every time

Blot cover wait brush dab rinse wash

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