Guide
How to remove red wine from carpet.
Red wine is beatable if you act fast and resist the urge to scrub. Scrubbing drives the pigment deeper and frays the fibers.
Remove fresh red wine from carpet by blotting up the liquid immediately, then applying a mix of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide (or club soda), blotting from the outside in until it lifts, and rinsing with cold water. Never rub. For dried stains, rehydrate with the same solution, let it dwell, then blot repeatedly. Test peroxide on a hidden spot first.
Blot, do not rub
The first rule decides everything. Rubbing spreads the stain and pushes pigment into the backing.
- Blot up as much wine as possible with a clean white cloth or paper towels
- Press straight down, lift, repeat with a fresh section
- Work from the outer edge toward the center to avoid spreading
Apply the right solution
A simple mix tackles both the tannin and the color.
- Mix one tablespoon dish soap with two cups cold water; or use a peroxide-and-dish-soap mix on light carpet
- Apply a little to the stain and blot — do not soak
- Repeat, switching to clean cloth sections, until the color transfers out
For dried-in stains
Old wine stains need rehydrating before they will lift.
- Dampen the stain with the solution and let it dwell 5-10 minutes
- Blot persistently; it comes out in layers
- Rinse with cold water and blot dry; weight a towel on it to pull moisture up
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Common questions
Frequently asked
Salt can absorb a fresh spill in a pinch, but it is not as effective as blotting and a dish soap solution. Blot first, then treat.
Often yes. Rehydrate the stain with a dish soap or peroxide solution, let it dwell, and blot repeatedly. It lifts in layers.
It can lighten some carpets, so always test on a hidden area first. On light-colored carpet it is very effective on wine.