We all want our homes to look clean and tidy, but we also want to enjoy them by hosting friends and family for dinners and drinks. And while opening a bottle of wine may often be part of socializing, it can also result in spills that leave you wondering how to get a wine stain out of the carpet.
Mallory Micetich, Home Care Expert at Angi, says, "When treating stains from wine and other liquids, the most important thing is to dry out the carpet as soon as possible. The longer you let the stain sit, the deeper it will sink into your carpet."
Whether it's a red wine spillage on a cream carpet or a white wine that leaves a pungent odor, you'll want to find the right method for removing the stain to get your carpets looking and smelling fresh.
Natural solutions such as baking soda are a great, affordable option for cleaning carpets and can be used throughout the home—handy for when other accidents occur. Alternatively, bleach might be more up your street for a hard-hitting approach.
We've explored the top ways to get rid of these pesky stains so you can enjoy a glass of wine without the stress of causing a mess. Of course, keeping a carpet clean is about much more than erasing the occasional stain. Using the best vacuum cleaners and the best carpet cleaners is a great way to keep your living spaces looking fresh and tidy.
How to get a wine stain out of carpet with bleach
The discourse around using bleach as a carpet cleaner veers largely towards a hard no. The risk of damaging any kind of carpet with bleach is too high to make it a worthwhile cleaning solution, so we usually recommend avoiding harsh chemicals and instead sticking to gentler options like baking soda and white vinegar that still get the job done.
However, hydrogen peroxide, a mild bleaching agent, can be useful in combatting stubborn wine stains. We always advise testing on a small, inconspicuous patch of the carpet before using it on the visible stain, as bleach can be prone to discoloring the fibers.
Step 1
Use a dry, clean cloth or paper towel to soak up as much of the liquid as possible. It's always best to act fast with stains, as this will give you the best chance of removal.
Step 2
Mix equal parts soap, hydrogen peroxide, and liquid laundry detergent.
Step 3
Pour this mixture over the stain and leave it to soak for a few minutes.
Step 4
Avoid scrubbing the stain, but instead, dab with another clean white towel until the mixture has worked into the stain and it's beginning to lift.
Step 5
Repeat until the stain has gone.
How to get a wine stain out of carpet with baking soda
For those who want to avoid using chemicals around the home, discovering how to clean a carpet with baking soda will be the best method for you. Baking soda is featured heavily in many of our cleaning guides as it's versatile for cleaning different areas in the home and also works as a natural deodorizer - great for pet accidents.
In this case, wine can have a strong smell you don't want lingering past the night in question, so this method will be a handy way to make your home clean again. For this technique, you'll also need hydrogen peroxide on hand.
Step 1
Start by blotting out as much wine as possible with a dry, clean cloth.
Step 2
Spray hydrogen peroxide onto the affected area. Make sure to test this in a hidden area of your carpet.
Step 3
Liberally sprinkle baking soda over the stain and hydrogen peroxide, ensuring it's covered.
Step 4
Leave it to sit for a couple of minutes before blotting it with a wet, clean cloth. Repeat until the stain has disappeared.
How to get a wine stain out of carpet with vinegar
Learning how to clean a carpet with vinegar will be another handy trick to keep in your pocket. Its affordable and speedy use means you can remove stains in no time. Vinegar can also be used on surfaces around the home, such as in a bathroom or kitchen, so it will be a worthwhile cupboard essential. Always make sure it's white vinegar that you're using, though, as any other kind could cause discoloration.
Step 1
In a bowl, mix one tablespoon of white vinegar, one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid, and two cups of warm water.
Step 2
Pat the stain dry to remove as much standing liquid as possible. Ensure you use a clean cloth and avoid scrubbing, which will bury the mark further into the carpet fibers.
Step 3
Apply the mixture to the stain and continue dabbing the area with another clean cloth. This should loosen the stain, at which point you should use a third cloth to remove the liquid from the surface. Continue until the wine stain has been removed.
How to get a wine stain out of carpet with a steam cleaner
Sometimes, all that's left to do with stains is to bring in professional-grade equipment. If the wine stain is proving difficult to remove, steam cleaners will be a powerful alternative that disinfects the area as you clean. They're also easy to use, so it might be worth investing if stains occur in your home often.
We spoke to Mallory Micetich, Home Care Expert at Angi, who recommended the following steps.
Step 1
"Grab some paper towels or a washcloth and pat the area dry. It's important to pat and let the liquid absorb into your towel. Do not rub."
Step 2
"Start by vacuuming the carpet thoroughly and pre-treating any stains using a store-bought solution. While the pre-treat solution sits, you can start filling your steam cleaner with hot water and carpet cleaner."
Step 3
"Read the instructions on your steam cleaner to get the exact water-to-cleaner ratio."
Step 4
"Following the directions on your steam cleaner, hold down the button and pass over the spot until the water runs clear. Repeat this process until the wine stain has been removed."
