How to remove red wine stains from clothing? Discover now

Salt is the easiest product to use for removing a red wine stain. It’s something everyone has at home, and it works wonders.

1. Can you take off the clothing item? If so, lay it flat on a wooden table with absorbent paper towels or a clean cloth underneath the fabric.

Arrange the fabric so that the back of the clothing is protected.

If you can’t take off the item because you’re at a restaurant or party, move directly to step 2.

2. Take a clean tea towel or cotton napkin and dampen it with (lukewarm) water. Gently dab the red wine stain - do not rub, as rubbing can push the stain deeper into the fibers.

3. Apply a generous amount of salt to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.

4. Rinse and gently wash away the salt with warm water and, if possible, a small amount of detergent.

5. If the stain persists, repeat the steps above.

6. Finally, wash the item as usual.

No salt or not enough salt on hand? If you happen to have baking soda, this household remedy works perfectly to remove red wine stains.

1. Can you take off the clothing item? If so, lay it flat on a wooden table with absorbent paper towels or a clean cloth underneath the fabric.

Arrange the fabric so that the back of the clothing is protected.

If you can’t remove the item because you’re at a restaurant or party, move directly to step 2.

2. Take a clean tea towel or cotton napkin and dampen it with (lukewarm) water. Gently dab the red wine stain - do not rub, as this can push the stain deeper into the fabric and cause it to spread.

3. In a bowl, make a paste with warm or cold water and a few tablespoons of baking soda. Apply it to the stain and let it sit for up to 30 minutes.

Note: baking soda can sometimes affect the color of clothing, so avoid leaving it on for hours to prevent discoloration, especially when treating stains on darker fabrics like jeans. If you’re removing red wine from white clothing, such as a white T-shirt or shirt, you can let the baking soda sit for a few hours.

4. Rinse away the baking soda with clean water. If the stain persists, repeat the steps above.

5. Finally, wash the item as usual. The washing machine will remove any excess baking soda.

In addition to salt and baking soda, you’ll find plenty of tips online, such as using other beverages like gin or beer. Vinegar, like white distilled or white wine vinegar, is also recommended, sometimes combined with baking soda.

Unsure? When in doubt, don’t do it, because once you’ve applied a treatment and get stains, it’s unfortunately irreversible. Still want to try the cleaning product to remove a red wine stain? Then keep the tip below in mind.

1. Check the fabric type and always verify what the item is made of before using strong agents. Delicate fabrics like silk are best treated with a damp cloth.

2. Prevent stains from setting and avoid putting a stained item directly in the washing machine without spot-treating, as the heat can set the stain.

3. Remember: water first. Act quickly by gently dabbing the stain with a lukewarm, damp cloth. Avoid rubbing and allow it to soak if needed. Then, look up how to treat the specific stain.

4. The Stain Remover Brush from Bondi Wash or the Textile Brush from Kinfill can be used in place of a cloth to avoid excess friction. These brushes help lift stains without damaging the fibers.

Note: After spot-treating, wash the garment as you normally would, and always follow the care instructions on the garment label.