It is easier to get red wine spilled out of a carpet than on a rug. If the wine drops on the latter, then you have a problem on your hands. How you handle the cleaning determines whether the rug will still retain its color and shine – or not.
In this article, we guide you on how to get rid of red wine spilling on a rug.
7 Methods I Use To Get Red Wine Out Of a Rug
1. “Prep” the Stain Instead of Waiting
Why keep off something when it can be tackled almost immediately? You are in good company and mistakenly spilled red wine on that rug on the floor.
Panicking is cool and expected in this situation because the rug could soak up the wine and get soiled in the process. However, a better approach is tackling the stain.
The easiest method is blotting the stain off the surface. Note that there is a good and bad way to blot the stain. Here is how best to do it:
- Get a clean, dry cloth or towel. You could also use a paper towel.
- Use an “up and down” motion to blot the stain.
- Focus the most on the smaller stains. Once you’ve dabbed them all, work on the bigger stains.
- The blotting should start from the edges of the red wine stains and move to the center of the rug.
Blotting the stains works best if you noticed the spill on time – and it has not dried. Also, using an up and down motion is better, because the side-to-side motion further works the stains into the rug.
What To Do After Blotting?
The rug has been “prepped” and other steps can be implemented to remove the red wine spill. Here are some steps to take:
- Pour a little cold water on the stains and dab with a cloth or paper towel. This is a better way to dilute the red wine, assuming some of the spills have stuck on the rug.
- Apply a stain remover to the stain and wipe it off with a cloth or paper towel.
2. Use Club Soda to Remove Red Wine Stains
Having club soda handy can help you get rid of red wine spills on your favorite rug. The application of the soda should be preceded by blotting the surface of the rug.
Once the blotting is done, here is how to carry on with the stain removal, using club soda:
a. Pour the Soda on the Spot
The second step after blotting is pouring a little club soda on the stains. Give it a couple of minutes to soak into the stains before carrying on with the next steps.
b. Blot the Stains
Use an absorbent cloth or a paper towel to blot the surface and get the excess liquid (including the red wine) out of the rug.
You may need to change the paper towel or the cloth if the stains didn’t come off at the first blot.
Note: the recommendation for club soda is based on the colorless liquid that neutralizes the red color of the wine; and the carbonation that aids the stains’ disintegration.
Read: How To Get Red Wine Out of Carpet
3. Use the White Vinegar Method
White vinegar is acid-based and can help you neutralize the red stains left behind by the red wine.
For the best results and because vinegar may not work on a standalone basis; using another cleaning agent is recommended. Combine white vinegar with a dishwashing liquid or dish soap.
a. Prepare the Mixture
Prepare a solution or mixture of water, dishwashing liquid/dish soap, and white vinegar. The measurements to use are:
- One tablespoon of dishwashing liquid.
- Two cups of warm water and;
- One tablespoon of white vinegar.
b. Apply the mixture to the Stain
Using a sponge, dip it into the mixture and make a direct application to the red wine stain on the rug.
c. Wait and Clean
Give the solution about 10 minutes to soak into the rug fibers and loosen the stain. Blot the spot with a clean cloth, and dry up as you do so.
d. Remove More Stains
There is no guarantee that the red wine stains will come off on the first touch. If more is still left behind after the initial cleaning; then, it’s time to use cold water.
Pour a little cold water directly on the stain and dip a clean cloth in the same cold water. Wriggle some of the water out and use the cloth to dilute the red wine stain on the rug.
Get a clean, dry cloth and use that to soak up the excess water on the floor.
If you are not a fan of vinegar then you should read How You Can Get Red Wine Out of Carpet Without Vinegar
4. Use Salt to Draw out Moisture from the Rug
You can try using salt on the rug, only if the area is still wet. The salt should only be poured when the stain is still wet, i.e., when you’ve blotted the rug the first time.
Now, sprinkle a fair amount of salt on the stained area to help “attract” or “suck up” the moisture from the rug.
Wait a little longer, because the salt will absorb the moisture in bits. You can then start preparing to remove it when it turns pinkish – a sign that the red wine stain has been absorbed.
The final step is to remove the salt from the rug. While a clean cloth can do the job to some extent, it is better to use a vacuum cleaner.
5. Combine Soda Water with Salt to Remove Red Wine Stain from Rug
Salt can also be used, not just with ordinary water, but with soda water. You want to use soda water because of the carbonation that aids faster stain removal.
The gentle abrasion of the water, combined with the baking powder content aids the cleaning process.
a. Start with Blotting
Get rid of the non-dried red wine stain by dabbing at the affected spot/area with a clean cloth.
b. Apply the Soda Water
You can then start adding the soda water in bits. The first addition should cover the stain and saturate it.
Then, blot with a clean cloth and add more soda water to enable the blotting.
c. Add Your Salt
Cover the stain with sprinkles of salt and allow to sit for some minutes. The salt will absorb the moisture on the stain and draw out the red wine.
d. Clean the Surface
Hoover the salt out of the affected area and use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of any residues.
6. Apply Milk to Remove Red Wine Spillage on Rug
The fat content in milk helps to absorb red wine from your rug. Note that milk also has an odor, especially when left on a thick surface like a rug after some time.
In the next paragraphs, we will show you how best to use milk to get red wine out of the rug – and how to do away with the odor.
- Use a clean cloth or a paper towel to blot the red wine spill on the rug.
- Pour a tin of liquid milk into the stained area.
- Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes.
- Use a clean, dry cloth to blot up the milk from the area.
- Continue with the process until the stain is gone.
To tackle the odor that might come from the milk, here is what to do:
- Clean the rug with warm water.
- Place a bowl of vinegar near the spot to help suck up the smell.
7. How to Use Baking Soda to Get Red Wine Stain out of Rug
It is possible to put baking soda to another use – removing red stains caused by wine spillage. To start, you need to make a baking soda paste by mixing three tablespoons of the soda with one cup of water.
Spread the paste evenly on the surface and cover with a clean cloth. Give it about 6 hours or leave it overnight. Make sure to keep some pressure on the area, by using either a stone or any other heavy item, placed atop the cloth.
In the morning, examine the surface and clean the soda off the surface. Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the rest of the baking soda from the surface.
FAQs
1. Does Hydrogen Peroxide Work for Stains on Rugs?
No, you mustn’t use hydrogen peroxide to remove red wine stains on a rug. It bleaches both carpets and rugs, but it is best used with carpets, especially the ones or the ones without a dye. Always dilute with dish soap or dishwashing liquid before applying.
2. How Do I Clean Red Wine Stains on Wool Rug?
Blot the stain, mix surgical spirit, and water, and use these to dab the stain. Follow it up by covering the absorbent pad with the mixture of water and surgical spirit, before covering the stain with it. Wait for a few minutes and repeat the process and replace the pad each time you do. Rinse with cool water when the stain is gone and allow the area to dry.
Conclusion
In this article, you learned about how to get rid of red wine stains from a rug. To wrap it up, blotting the stain should be prioritized, and using an up-and-down motion is the best way to do that. You can implement other methods if the blotting didn’t work.