‘Tis the season for twinkly lights, Christmas parties and, unfortunately, red wine stains.
Spills are bound to happen when you are having a jolly time, but that doesn’t lessen the despair of looking down at a puddle of ruby red sinking into your carpet.
In fact, searches for red wine removal spike every December, and this year is no exception.
The cleaning brand Gtech has spotted that people are already searching for solutions, with searches for ‘red wine on carpet’ rising by 85% over the last three months.
So don’t panic – the experts at Gtech have shared their top tips for getting rid of red wine stains as fast as possible.
If you’ve got a dried stain on your hands, the team has also explained how to clean those as well.
How to get rid of red wine stains in carpet
1. Clear away the excess
When it comes to stains, timing is everything. The sooner you address the spill, the less likely it is to set into your carpet.
Start by blotting the stain with a clean cloth or kitchen towel. Make sure not to rub the spot, as rubbing can spread the stain and push it deeper into the carpet fibres, while blotting helps soak up excess liquid and prevent the stain from spreading.
2. Clean the stain right away
Once you have removed any excess wine, you must dry out any remaining liquid that soaked into the carpet fibres. Cover the spill with table salt and let it sit for an hour to absorb the wine. Once it has fully dried, simply vacuum it up.
If the stain persists, blot it with soda water. Its mild acidity is more effective at lifting red wine stains than regular tap water.
And if you don’t have any soda water, or still notice the stubborn stain, then mix a three-to-one ratio of baking soda to water, stir into a paste, and apply directly to the stain. Gently work it into the fibres with a sponge, then vacuum up any residue once it has dried.
3. Rinse the area afterwards
After treating the stain, gently blot the area with a small amount of water to remove any cleaning solution. This ensures no chemicals remain on the carpet that could damage the fibres.
Afterwards, press a dry towel or some kitchen roll onto the damp area to absorb moisture and speed up the drying process.
How to remove dried red wine stains
We’ve all been there – waking up the next day to find a red wine stain that’s had time to set overnight. While dried stains can be more difficult to remove, they’re not impossible.
Start by mixing equal parts of 3% hydrogen peroxide and washing up liquid. Dab this mixture gently onto the stain with a clean cloth, being careful not to soak the area.
Then, blot with some kitchen roll or another clean cloth to lift the stain. Afterwards, rinse the area with water to remove any leftover residue, but be careful not to drench the carpet.
If you don’t have hydrogen peroxide, any clear alcohol can work just as well. Red wine’s pigments dissolve in alcohol, so try putting a little vodka or white rum onto the stain and blotting gently.
