Few things can ruin a relaxing evening at home more quickly than a red wine spill. Red wine is well-known for causing permanent stains, so you may understandably believe that your floor is ruined after a mishap. However, whether your red wine spill is on carpet or wood flooring, you may be able to prevent permanent damage if you act quickly and use the right techniques.

Soak Up the Liquid Immediately

Regardless of the floor type, the most important first step is to soak up as much of the red wine as possible. Grab a roll of paper towels, and start blotting up the wine. Continue doing so with clean paper towels until all liquid has been absorbed. You should never scrub or even wipe the red wine. Doing so could cause the red wine to penetrate deeper into the material. This can make it more difficult to remove the stain.

If you are dealing with carpet stains, diluting the stain with clean water is helpful. Pouring a substantial amount of water on the stain can cause the damage to spread. To prevent this from happening, blot up as much of the liquid as possible. Then, add a small amount of clean water to the stain. Blot up the liquid again, and repeat this process until you cannot extract any more wine through the effort.

Strategies to Remove Wine Stains from Carpet

The specific composition of your carpet will affect which stain removal method is best for your situation. Because carpeting varies so dramatically, always consult with the manufacturer to get removal recommendations before you get started. If your carpet manufacturer does not have specific instructions for red wine stain removal, you can try a few different options depending on the supplies that you have on hand.

One option to remove red wine stains from carpet is to use a combination of detergent and white vinegar. Mix a few drops of a cleaning detergent with a cup of water. Apply this to the stain. Allow it to penetrate the stain for a few minutes. Then, blot the liquid. The next step for this process is to apply undiluted white vinegar to the stain. Cover the stain with a thick blanket of clean paper towels. Apply a book or something equally heavy on top of the paper towels so that they can absorb as much of the liquid as possible. Allow the vinegar and paper towels to remain in place overnight.

Another option to remove wine stains from carpet is to use a baking soda paste. Mix the baking soda and water together to create a thick paste. The amount needed will vary based on the size of your stain. Apply the paste thickly over the stain. Once the paste has completely dried, vacuum the remnants. If you notice any remaining discoloration from the red wine, use a stain removal product that is suitable for use with your carpet type.

Tips to Remove Red Wine Stains from Wood Floor

Red wine that remains on wood floor for more than a few minutes can cause staining as well. The stains may be more pronounced on light-colored floors. After you have thoroughly dried up as much of the wine as possible, clean the floor with Murphy’s soap or another oil soap. Mix the soap with water according to the instructions on the label. Scrub the stained area until the stain has been removed.

You can also try to remove red wine stains from your wood floor using mineral oil and baking soda. Using these supplies, make a thick paste. Apply the paste to the stain. After it has thoroughly dried out, use a clean cloth to remove the debris. If these efforts do not work, the floor may need to be refinished.

Contact the Professionals

At Classic Floor Designs, we want our customers to enjoy their home’s flooring. While red wine stains can be removed from carpet and wood floors in many cases, there are instances when replacing the floor is a better strategy. Contact Classic Floor Designs today to explore the many beautiful possibilities available for your home.