How To Get Red Wine Out Of Carpet?
After a long day at work or when kicking back and relaxing at the weekend, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a nice glass of red wine (or two!).
Red wine is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the UK, and with so many different types, flavours and products from around the world to choose from, it’s no surprise that it’s a common choice whether you’re relaxing at home or heading to a weekend party.
However, spilt red wine can spell disaster, especially if the red wine is dropped on carpet. If not done correctly, getting red wine out of carpet can be a difficult task especially as the drink is famous for producing a stubborn stain. But there’s no need to fear.
In this article, we’re going to explain exactly how to get red wine out of carpet, meaning if a spillage does occur you’ll know exactly what to do. Read on to find out more.
Why Does Red Wine Stain?
Before we take a look at how you can get red wine out of a carpet, we perhaps should first examine why it is that red wine can stain carpets.
In fact, it’s not just carpets that fall victim to a red wine stain.
As anyone who regularly indulges in a few glasses will know, the drink has been known to leave a rouge residue on teeth the day after drinking.
Well, to understand this we need to consider the science of wine.
Firstly, the grapes that are used to produce red wine include something known as anthocyanins. These are essentially pigments which give the red wine its famous purple complexion. Combined with the anthocyanins are tannins. Tannins are a solution that can be found in a whole host of food and drink products, and in wine, they come from the skin, seeds and stem of the grapes. When tannins and anthocyanins come together, they bind and produce a strong colour that produces stains.
Furthermore, red wine is quite acidic and can erode the outer layer of a surface it sits on. For instance with teeth, enamel can be eroded which results in a stain.
And in terms of carpets, the fibres are impacted by this acidity which is why they can be so easily stained by wine.
How To Get Red Wine Out Of Carpet?
We’ve all been there. After a few glasses of red while chatting away with friends at a party or lazing in front of the TV on a Friday night our reactions can get a little loose. Therefore it’s easy for a glass to fall and cover your beautiful, cream carpet in a scarlet stain that strikes dread into our hearts.
In an instant, we’ll know that this is going to be tough to clean. But it doesn’t have to be.
While there is no doubt that red wine is one of the toughest stains to tackle, there are a number of simple things you can do to get red wine out of a carpet.
This includes:
Cold Water
The first port of call should be cold water.
Simply pour some cold water over the top of the stain and use a damp cloth to dab it. Never rub the stain as this can cause it to spread or become further embedded into the carpet. If you have it to hand, using carbonated water works better than still water. This is because it is more acidic and therefore can help to dissolve the stain.
Do not use warm water as the red wine’s tannins will struggle to dissolve due to the heat.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an effective stain remover for all kinds of stains, including red wine.
It has slightly alkaline properties, so when combined with cold water it creates a paste-like solution. Mix three parts baking soda to one part water and pour over your stain. Give it a chance to dry and then vacuum over the stain. You should see that the soda has absorbed the wine and your original carpet is left underneath without a mark in sight.
Salt
A handy solution, most people will have salt in their kitchen cupboards so it’s an easily accessible answer to the question of a red wine-stained carpet.
Before you apply the salt, blot the stain with a cloth to absorb any excess liquid which might still be present on the carpet. Then, sprinkle some salt over the stain. Leave it for a few minutes and then vacuum up the area.
The salt should have absorbed the wine and the action of vacuuming it will pull the stain away. You may need to lightly scrub the area after you have done this to remove any bits of the stain that have remained.
Hydrogen Peroxide
If you opt to use a hydrogen peroxide solution on a red wine stain, you should do so carefully. This is because hydrogen peroxide is a bleach and it can actually damage fabrics further.
Mix hydrogen peroxide with dish soap and then use a cloth to clean the stain. Leave it to dry for half an hour before returning.
Then, blot the stain with a clean cloth and repeat the process as many times as required.
White Vinegar
Vinegar is often cited as a solution to a whole range of problems, and when it comes to red wine stains, white vinegar is the way to go.
Do not use any other type of vinegar on a carpet as it can damage the fabric. Dab as much red wine as possible before pouring vinegar onto the stain and leaving it for 30 minutes.
Then, wash the entire area with cold water and scrub with a cloth.
White Wine
While it might sound counterintuitive, actually adding more wine to the stain can help to clean it. As long as it’s white wine.
Pour some white wine directly onto the stain. Then, use a clean cloth to blot the stain until you notice the red has begun to fade.
If the remnants of the stain can still be seen after this, try a different technique as described above.
