How to Remove Red Wine Stains
Red wine stains look dramatic but are treatable if you act quickly. The tannins in red wine bond with fabric fibers, so speed matters more than with most other stains. Salt, club soda, and white wine are all effective first-response treatments.
Affected Materials
Step-by-Step Removal
- 1
Blot immediately
Press a clean cloth or paper towel firmly against the stain to absorb as much wine as possible. Work from the outside in to prevent spreading.
- 2
Apply salt
Cover the wet stain generously with table salt. The salt draws moisture and wine pigment out of the fabric. Leave it for 2 to 3 minutes.
- 3
Rinse with cold water
Hold the fabric under cold running water from the back side, pushing the stain out rather than through the fabric.
- 4
Apply stain remover
Use a commercial stain remover or a mix of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide (1:1 ratio). Apply it to the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- 5
Wash in cold water
Launder the garment in cold water on a normal cycle. Hot water can set wine stains, so keep the temperature low.
What Not to Do
- ✗Do not use hot water — it sets the tannin stain permanently.
- ✗Do not rub the stain, as this forces the pigment deeper into fibers.
- ✗Do not wait to treat the stain — dried wine is much harder to remove.
- ✗Do not put in the dryer until the stain is fully gone.
Related Stain Guides
How to Remove Coffee Stains
Quick tips to lift fresh and set-in coffee stains from clothing and linens.
How to Remove Berry Stains
Treat blueberry, strawberry, and blackberry stains with boiling water and detergent.
How to Remove Tea Stains
Lift tea stains from cups, clothes, and linens with simple household treatments.