Guide · Stain removal ·
How to Remove Wine Stains
Because of its intensely coloured compounds, red wine is one of the most difficult textile stains; it quickly marks light-coloured fabrics, carpets and tablecloths. Treated without delay, it usually comes out; a stain that has dried, been washed in hot water or been ironed can become permanent. This guide explains how to remove wine stains from clothes, carpets, sofas and tablecloths.
Do these first
- Act immediately: a wine stain is much easier to remove before it dries.
- Blot, don't rub: blot up excess wine with a clean white cloth or paper towel; rubbing spreads the stain and works it into the fibres.
- Rinse with cold water: rinse the stain with cold water from the back of the fabric; hot water can set a wine stain.
- Don't dry or iron: do not put the item in the tumble dryer or iron it until the stain is completely gone.
How to remove wine stains from clothes?
- Rinse the stain with cold water from the back of the fabric.
- Apply a stain remover such as İLK BOR Leke Sihirbazı directly to the stain and leave it for the time on the label; do not let it dry.
- Then wash the item with detergent on a programme that suits its fabric label.
- Check the stain before drying; if a mark remains, repeat the process.
- On coloured and delicate fabrics, test the product on a small hidden area first.
- For the correct use of stain removers: how to use stain remover.
- For mulberry, cherry and fruit juice stains: how to remove fruit stains.
- For beer stains: how to remove beer stains.
- For soy sauce stains: how to remove soy sauce stains.
Wine stains on white fabrics
On white cotton shirts, tablecloths and napkins, follow the steps above first. If a mark remains, bleach can be added to the wash water at the amount on its label for white cotton items whose label allows it. Bleach is not used on coloured, polyester, wool or silk fabrics, or on items whose label says not to use bleach.
How to remove dried wine stains?
First dampen the dried stain with cold water. Apply the stain remover, leave it for the time on the label and wash the garment; if the stain has not completely gone, repeat the treatment before drying. Old stains that have been washed in hot water, tumble dried or ironed may need several pre-treatments and may not come out completely.
How to get wine out of a carpet?
- Blot up excess wine with a clean white cloth; do not rub.
- Pour a little cold water on the stain and blot it up again.
- Apply a small amount of a carpet-safe stain remover such as TETİK Binbir Stain Remover to the stain and dab it up with a clean cloth.
- Remove the foam with a clean damp cloth and let the carpet dry thoroughly; do not soak the carpet.
- Test first on an inconspicuous corner to check for colour bleeding.
- To wash the whole carpet, see our guide how to use carpet shampoo.
Wine stains on sofas and upholstery
On a fabric sofa, blot up excess wine and do not rub the stain. Apply TETİK Kar Aspirin to a clean cloth and dab the stain; the Kar Aspirin label lists sofas and upholstery. Do not soak the upholstery, then wipe with a clean damp cloth and leave to dry. Test the product on a hidden area first; on leather and velvet upholstery follow the manufacturer's advice (how to clean a sofa).
Wine stains on tablecloths and napkins
In restaurants and hotels, wine stains are most often found on tablecloths and napkins. Separate the stained tablecloth without delay, pre-treat the stain with a stain remover and wash the tablecloth on a programme suited to its fabric; do not leave stained tablecloths in the dirty laundry bag for long. For details: how to wash a tablecloth.
Wine on marble and granite worktops
Blot up wine spilled on a worktop without delay and wipe with a damp cloth. Wine is acidic; left on marble it can leave a dull mark on the surface. Acidic and abrasive products are not used on marble (how to clean marble, how to clean granite worktops).
What not to do
- Rubbing the stain: it spreads and works into the fibres.
- Pouring hot water on the stain or washing the stained garment in hot water: the wine stain can set.
- Tumble-drying or ironing before the stain is out: the stain can become permanent.
- Mixing stain remover with bleach or other cleaning products (can cleaning products be mixed).
- Using bleach on coloured fabric: the colour fades.
For restaurants, hotels and wedding venues
In restaurants, hotels, wedding venues and laundries, quick pre-treatment matters for wine-stained tablecloths and napkins. TETİK Liquid Stain Remover and START Stain Remover are produced in 30 kg packs for professional use and İLK BOR Leke Sihirbazı in a 1 L pack for home use; TETİK Kar Aspirin comes in 750 g, 5 kg and 30 kg and TETİK Binbir Stain Remover (Carpet Shampoo) in 30 kg packs. For product lists, see our guides restaurant cleaning supplies and laundry supplies and chemicals, and request a quote for bulk purchases.
