It is virtually inevitable, those stains that just happen on your nice holiday linen table cloth. Not to worry because there is a solution for any stress filled spill that can come your way. The key is not to panic and to have an arsenal of household supplies on hand when you know it will likely happen at that holiday meal and celebration. Here we talk about some of the must haves to cure any of your Thanksgiving and other holiday stain dilemmas.
How To Remove Wet Red Wine Stains
The following household remedies have been proven to work best on fresh red wine stains and while the fabric is still “wet” with the red wine stain. Water is always the best choice for diluting a stain, but if unavailable, club soda or white wine can be used. Apply using a spray bottle or by sprinkling or pouring on by hand. Next, blot the fabric from the outside edges of the stain in, to prevent it from spreading. Try to blot up as much of the red wine as possible.
Household Red Wine Stain Removal
The following remedies work best on cotton, polyester and blends. Red wine stained dry-clean only fabrics should not be pretreated at home. These fabrics must be taken to the cleaners as soon as possible. Attempting to remove the stain at home from dry clean only fabrics can cause irreversible damage.
Removing Wine Stains From Carpet With Hydrogen Peroxide and Soap
For carpeting, first apply hydrogen peroxide, giving it a few minutes to penetrate carpet fibres. Next, using a spray bottle filled with one part water and one part carpet cleaner, mist the stain. Blot with a clean cloth until stain is removed.
White Wine to the Rescue – Using It On Red Wine Stains
Although two wrongs rarely make a right, here’s an exception to the rule that would put even your mother to shame. When it comes to red wine stain removal, white wine is a valuable resource. White wine counteracts the red wine and makes it easier to remove the original red wine stain.
Simply pour a small amount of white wine over the red wine stain and blot with a clean, absorbent towel. Be sure never to rub or wipe at red wine stained fabric, as this will only set the stain deeper within the fabric. Once you have blotted as much of the stain as possible, treat any stain remnants with the regular fabric or carpet stain remover of your choice. The pesky red wine mark can then be easily removed in the same fashion as any other stain.
Add a Little Salt to Your Red Wine Stain
In a pinch and not sure what method to choose, or short on ingredients? Shake a thick layer of salt over the red wine stain to prevent it from spreading and setting. Then, when you are ready to treat the stain, remove or vacuum the salt. Remember, the sooner you salt, the better the chance it will help stop the stain from setting—making it easier to lift.
White Wine with Baking Soda To Fight Red Wine Stains
First, soak the red wine stain in white wine (or club soda). Next, cover the stain with a thick baking soda and water paste. Leave the baking soda on the stain for a few hours, periodically moistening the solution with water. Once the treatment is done, wash the fabric as normal.
Commercial Red Wine Stain Removers
If you are an avid red wine drinker, or just clumsy, investing in a commercial red wine stain remover is a great idea. There are many great products available for both wine stains specifically and stains in general. Some of these include:
OxiClean
To treat non-wool carpeting with a nasty red wine stain, OxiClean is a great option. Mix the OxiClean powder with water and apply to stained area. Wait a few minutes and blot with a clean, dry towel. Repeat until stain is removed and rinse with water. After the area dries, vacuum. OxiClean now also makes a liquid stain pretreatment formula that is said to help remove wine stains from clothing and other materials.
Resolve
Resolve is a great brand of all-purpose stain removal products that also can help in the elimination of red wine stains. In particular, Resolve is well known for its effectiveness at removing stains from carpet. For red wine, Resolve Max Trigger is recommended. Follow Resolve spot treatments with regular laundering for best results.
Wine Away
Made from fruit and vegetable extracts, WineAway is an industry specific red wine stain remover that regularly ranks among the best on the market. Wine away is free of bleach and is safe in households with pets and/or children. To use, spray on affected areas and let sit from one to 15 minutes (depending on severity and age of stain). Then wash off or launder as usual.
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Stains on Linen – Thanksgiving Stress Free Solutions
