Have you spilled red wine on the carpet? Don't worry, it can happen to anyone. If the burgundy color of the wine doesn't match the color of your curtains, read this article to learn how to remove red wine stains from your carpet. You will need simple ingredients that every housewife has at hand. So don't worry if a large wine stain appears on your carpet during a noisy party. You can easily remove it.
Steps
First steps to remove all types of stains
Step 1. Blot the stain
The longer the wine stays on the carpet, the more difficult it will be to remove it. So act as quickly as possible! As soon as you notice a wine stain, take a tissue or paper towel and blot it. The cloth will absorb the liquid and prevent the stain from digging deep into the carpet.
- Blotting the stain, move from top to bottom, and not from side to side. Avoid rubbing, as the stain will dig deeper and make it difficult to remove. It can also make the stain even bigger.
- Blot the stain, moving from the edge to the center of the stain. Start at the edge of the spot and work your way to the center. Thanks to this, the stain will not go beyond its borders and will not become even larger.
Step 2. Blot the stain using cold water
After you dab the stain with a tissue, you will need cold water to help dilute the wine remaining on the carpet. Continue blotting (not rubbing) until the carpet is dry.
Method 1 of 4: Using salt
Step 1. Sprinkle salt on the stain while it is still damp
Of course, applying the above method will help you remove most of the stain, but unfortunately this is not enough. To remove the entire stain, sprinkle generously with salt. The salt will absorb the liquid, and after a few hours you will not see a trace of the stain.
Since the salt absorbs liquid, this method is best used if you have a fresh stain. If the stain is already dry, first pour a little water over it and then sprinkle it with salt
Step 2. Leave the salt on the carpet
As the wine is absorbed, the salt will gradually turn pinkish. When the stain is completely dry, you can move on to the next step. However, you can leave the salt on the stain for a longer period of time. Leave the salt on overnight if possible.
Step 3. Remove salt and vacuum the carpet
Remove the salt with a spoon and discard it. Vacuum the carpet to remove any remaining salt. Your carpet will be clean again. The stain will disappear, or at least significantly diminish.
If a small amount of salt remains on the pile after vacuuming, simply dampen the area with cool water and vacuum again to restore the natural texture of the carpet
Method 2 of 4: Applying vinegar
Step 1. Make a cleaning solution
In a large bowl, combine 1 tablespoon (15 ml) dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water. Stir well.
Use only white vinegar. If you use a different type of vinegar (such as apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar), extra stains may appear on your carpet
Step 2. Apply the solution to the stain
Dampen a clean cloth with the solution and blot the stained area with it. The liquid will seep into the carpet fibers and you can easily remove the stain.
Use a dry cloth to blot the damp area of the carpet dry. Alternate between wet and dry wipes when trying to remove the stain
Step 3. Saturate the stain with cold water
Take a third cloth and soak it in cold water. Squeeze it over the stain so that it is completely saturated with water. You can also pour some water directly onto the stain. Blot the stain with a dry cloth.
Repeat the process as needed. You may need to repeat the process several times to achieve the desired result. Alternatively, you can use the other method described in this article
Method 3 of 4: Using dishwashing detergent and hydrogen peroxide
Step 1. Mix a small amount of dish soap with hydrogen peroxide
Mix the ingredients thoroughly. The amount of ingredients needed will depend on the size of the stain. However, you will need no more than half a cup of the solution.
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Note: Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleaching agent, so this method is best for light-colored carpet.
If you are concerned about light stains on the carpet, apply a small amount of the solution to an inconspicuous area of the carpet. If you notice that the color of the carpet changes when exposed to hydrogen peroxide, do not use this method. The use of hydrogen peroxide with a low concentration (eg 3%) should not adversely affect the condition of the carpet.
Step 2. Blot the stain with the prepared solution
Soak a corner of a clean cloth with hydrogen peroxide solution. Gently blot the stain so that the mixture soaks into the carpet fibers. Repeat as needed to soak the entire stain with the solution. Don't rub the stain. Just blot it.
When you saturate the stain with the solution, wait for a few minutes. This will allow the solution to penetrate deeper and even stubborn stains can be removed with ease
Step 3. Spray cold soapy water on the stain
Pour cold water into a spray bottle, then add a few drops of regular dish soap. Shake the bottle well. Spray the resulting solution onto the stain. Then blot the stain with a dry cloth.
If you don't have a spray bottle, you can use a damp towel
Step 4. Blot the stain with a tissue soaked in warm water
Chances are, your carpet will look much better at this stage. However, if you skip this step, a sticky, soapy residue will remain on the carpet. Soak a clean cloth in room temperature water (do not use soapy water), then blot the carpet with it.
Method 4 of 4: Using White Wine and Baking Soda
Step 1. Apply a small amount of white wine to the stain
It may surprise you that you should use white wine to remove red wine stains. However, don't be surprised, white wine is a great alternative to water. White wine dilutes the red wine, making the stain less bright.
Some sources recommend using vodka if you don't have white wine. Avoid using nutmeg or sweet dessert wines, as a sticky residue can remain on the carpet
Step 2. Blot the stain with a sponge
Do not overdo it. Do not apply strong pressure to the carpet fibers while blotting the stain. Light blotting will cause the stain to become less pronounced.
If your sponge is wet, wring it out before use
Step 3. Apply baking soda to the stain
Baking soda will help remove the stain, much like the salt mentioned above. Many sources recommend using a paste made from baking soda and water instead of dry baking soda. Apply the paste to the stain. Mix three parts water with one part baking soda.
Step 4. Place a cloth over the stain
Place a heavy weight (such as a dictionary) on a napkin. The constant pressure will help the baking soda to sink deep into the carpet fibers.
The cloth will be slightly damp, so make sure that the heavy item you choose is not damaged by the moisture
Step 5. Vacuum the carpet as soon as the stain is dry
The baking soda will absorb the liquid from the carpet. Small lumps will appear on the surface of the carpet. You can easily remove them (and with them the stain) with a vacuum cleaner.
As with salt, if you notice a small amount of baking soda on the surface of the carpet, pour cold water over the area of the carpet to dissolve the baking soda, and then vacuum it again
Advice
- Get professional help. Some stains (especially old ones) are difficult to remove without assistance. Fortunately, carpet and carpet cleaners have the tools to remove these types of stains. So ask them for help.
- Do not expose the stain to heat. Otherwise, it will stick in even more and it will be difficult for you to remove it.