We are well and truly in the middle of the festive season and the mince pies and wine has been flowing steadily for days.
But if you have had a mishap and spilt red wine, it can be a nightmare to get rid of it.
Or perhaps you are going to host a New Year’s Eve party and you are anticipating a spillage? Well, act fast and you will never know it was there.
Experts at Gtech have shared their top tips for quickly removing pesky red wine stains, so you can get back to enjoying the celebrations.
And it seems all you need is a staple that almost everyone already has in their cupboards – salt.
Yes, a bit of table salt can help lift a red wine stain, so if you want to prevent your rugs and furniture from being marked forever, here is what you need to do.
Blot, don’t rub
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.
Dry, dry and dry some more
Once you have removed any excess wine, you must dry out any remaining liquid that soaked into the carpet fibres. This is where your salt comes in.
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.
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.
But what if a naughty guest hasn’t told you about the spill and it has dried?
While dried stains can be more difficult to remove, they’re not impossible.
Start by mixing equal parts of three per cent 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.
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.
