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Have a party foul? Don’t stress – it IS possible to get wine out of the carpet! If you act fast and have a few household supplies on hand, you can save the carpet. Keep reading for tips on how to get wine out of the carpet.
How to Get Wine Out of the Carpet
No matter how careful you may be, wine spills do happen. Maybe it was you, maybe it was a guest – they just happen. Luckily, many household supplies can help you get these annoying spills and stains out of your carpet.
Household Items You Can Use To Get Wine Out of Fabrics
- Paper towels or clean cleaning cloths
- Table Salt
- Club Soda
- White Vinegar
- White Wine
- Vodka
- Dish Soap or Laundry Detergent (both should be clear)
- Water
- Baking Soda
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Commercial Carpet Stain Remover
What to Do First When You Spill Wine on Carpet
As soon as you catch the spill, blot it up! If you aren’t sure how to blot up a spill, here is how you do it:
- Use a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Keep rotating your cloth or paper towel as you go, always using a clean spot of cloth as you blot along with the spill.
- Use an up & down motion to blot up the liquid, don’t rub it in.
- Start from the outside edges and work towards the middle of the spill.
What to Do if You Can’t Clean Wine Out of Carpet
If you don’t have time to immediately work on removing the rest of the spot, sprinkle some salt over the spill to absorb some of the wine that’s left behind and continue on about your day until you can vacuum up the salt and do the steps below.
How to Get Wine Out of the Carpet Once It Is Set In
Unfortunately, you may not always catch a spill right away and it may have already dried before you find it. It’s not the end of the world. Following the steps below should help you restore the carpet, even if the spill has already dried up.
#1 Wet the Area
After blotting (and salting, if necessary), spritz or pour a light amount of cold water to the area. Water will continue to dilute the wine so that you can continue to blot up the excess wine. Don’t oversaturate the stain, but add cold water slowly and blot with a dry cloth as you go. Don’t forget, you can also use club soda, vinegar, vodka, or even white wine (but why waste the alcohol?) to dilute and wipe up the wine stain.
If the carpet is white, you can use a mixture of 2 parts hydrogen peroxide and 1 part clear dish soap to saturate and blot up the stain. If you use hydrogen peroxide, avoid using it on colored carpet or you may end up with more than just a wine stain. Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent, so using it on a colored carpet or rug may ruin it.
#2 Let It Dry with Baking Soda
Once the wine stain is blotted up to the best of your ability, it’s time to let it dry with a little baking soda. Apply a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water directly to the carpet. Ensure that you completely cover the stained area. Allow the area to dry completely and then vacuum the area.
#3 Steam Setting on an Iron
If you have an iron with a low-steam setting, this is a great option to consider. This method may also be extremely helpful if the stain has already completely dried. Wet a cloth with a mixture of soapy water so that it is damp, cover the surface of the stain or spill, and place the iron on top until the stain absorbs into the cloth. This may take several minutes or may happen quickly. If the stained area is large, you may have to attempt to steam the area several different times.
#4 Use the Commercial Carpet Cleaner & Stain Remover
If the standard household items haven’t been able to completely remove the stain, it may be time to use the commercial items. It’s never a bad idea to keep a few stain removers on hand. Red wine stain removers, such as Wine Away or Wine Out, are specifically geared to remove those pesky wine stains and may save you time from the beginning. Other popular brands like Woolite, Oxiclean, Resolve, or Spot Shot may also do the trick if you have them on hand. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results with their individual products.
#5 Call the Pros
When you haven’t been able to remove the stain by any of the means listed above, it may be time to call professional help. Let them use their industrial cleaning agents and fancy steamers to do the heavy lifting instead. Professionals deal with stains of all kinds and a simple red wine stain can be dealt with quickly by a professional with the right tools. The longer the stain remains in your carpet, the harder it will be to remove.
How to Get White Wine Out of the Carpet
Luckily, the same tips from above can work to help clean up spills from white wine or champagne! Always remember to blot from the outside in and never rub the area where the spill occurred.
When wine is involved (whether drinking or whether it’s spilled), time is of the essence. Removing stains isn’t always fun or easy, and deciding how to do it can also be challenging. The steps above are great home methods to remove stains from your carpet. There’s no guarantee of success because wine stains can be very difficult to remove. Try these out and if they work – great! If not, or you have delicate carpet or rugs, call a professional to help get the wine stain out!
Make sure you pin this so you can easily find it! You never know when you’ll cry over spilled wine.
If you love wine, try our Raspberry Peach Sangria: Choose Your Own Wine Recipe! Pick your favorite wine and enjoy!
