Did you know that red wine is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that may help fight disease? It may even help improve blood sugar and immunity while boosting heart and eye health. Plus, there’s no denying that good red wine is delicious, and having a glass of it can be a relaxing way to end the day.
So, it’s no wonder that over two-quarters of US wine drinkers prefer red wine.
Or at least they do until they experience how hard it is to remove red wine on carpet fibers.
So, if you’ve had such a mishap yourself, you may be about to swear the drink off. Don’t be so quick to do it, though, as it’s still possible to get those stubborn stains out.
This guide will show you how to remove red wine stains from your beautiful, plush carpet, so be sure to read on.
1. Quickly Blot as Much of the Spill as Possible
The red color of red wine comes from anthocyanins, pigments used as natural textile dyes.
Anthocyanins, in their pure form, are water-soluble. So, they alone are easy to wash away.
The thing is, red wine’s ethanol content gives those pigments more permanence. That’s also why some fabric dyeing processes use ethyl alcohol.
For those reasons, it’s imperative to remove as much spilled red wine as soon as you can from your carpets. Otherwise, the carpet fibers can soak up the pigment-rich liquid. If that happens, the stains will set, and you’ll have more difficulties removing them.
In any case, be sure to soak up the liquid with absorbent items, such as paper towels or microfiber cloth. If you’re going to use the latter, go for light-colored ones. That way, you can be sure they’re lifting the wine off of the carpets with success.
Just as vital, though, is to use a blotting motion, not a rubbing one. The latter will only make the red liquid spread further across the carpet.
2. Dilute Still-Damp Spills With Some Water
Suppose you’re having a party and one of your guests spilled red wine on your carpets by accident. In that case, they (and you) may not notice the spill right away. As soon as you do, though, lightly touch the stained area to see if it’s still damp.
If it is, get some cool water and lots of paper towels or several sheets of microfiber cloth. Then, pour a small amount of water onto the spill and blot with a towel or cloth. The water will dilute the red wine and make it easier for the towel or cloth to lift the liquid off of the carpet.
If you’re using paper towels, switch to a fresh one each time the old one gets too wet. If you’re using a cloth, alternate parts to ensure you’re using a clean, dry spot.
Keep doing this step until you get rid of as much red wine as possible.
3. Apply Some Baking Soda
The folks behind the 1986 restoration of the Statue of Liberty used 100 tons of baking soda as part of the clean-up.
Why?
One reason is that baking soda is a mild abrasive, making it an excellent yet gentle cleaner. In addition, it acts as a base, allowing it to dissolve organic compounds, including grease.
So, if it worked for Lady Liberty, it can also help you and your carpet stain woes. After all, baking soda attracts liquids, allowing it to soak up spilled wine, too.
For fresh spills, you can sprinkle baking soda straight out of the box onto the stained spot on your carpet. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then vacuum the area.
If the spill has dried a bit, you can apply some baking soda paste onto the soiled spot.
Mix baking soda with water at a 3:1 ratio to make that paste. From there, apply the solution onto the stain, letting it sit until it dries completely. You can then vacuum the dried paste to finish the clean-up.
4. Clean With Distilled White Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is 5% acetic acid diluted with water. It’s this acid that gives it its sour taste and sharp odor.
It’s also the same stuff that makes white vinegar great in dissolving organic stains. That makes it useful for cleaning smudges caused by coffee, and yes, red wine.
However, be sure to dilute distilled white vinegar before you use it to clean red wine stains on carpets.
In a bowl, mix half a teaspoon of vinegar, half a teaspoon of dish liquid, and two cups of warm water. Sponge this solution onto your carpet, and then use a paper towel or microfiber cloth to blot dry. Rinse by spraying some cold water and then blotting with a fresh towel or cloth to dry.
5. Phone a Pro
If methods 1 to 4 are unsuccessful, you may find yourself on the verge of using a commercial red wine stain remover.
Unfortunately, some carpet cleaning products may contain ammonium hydroxide, naphthalene, or perchloroethylene. These ingredients give off fumes known to cause liver damage and even cancer. At the very least, they can cause dizziness, nausea, or disorientation.
So, while those chemicals may remove red wine stains, using them may put your family’s health at risk. For that reason, it may be best to let the pros handle the most stubborn stains on your behalf.
However, be sure to limit your online search for “non-toxic carpet cleaning near me.” That way, you can find professionals using eco-friendly, non-toxic, and safe cleaning methods.
Use These Tips to Remove Red Wine on Carpet Fibers
As you can see, there are many ways to remove stains caused by red wine on carpet fibers. That’s why you don’t have to swear it off just because it causes stubborn carpet stains. However, you still have to act fast to prevent such ugly marks from becoming too difficult to remove.
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