So, you mistakenly missed a sip and the red wine just had to drop on the white carpet. It makes a pretty bad sight and you need to wipe it off immediately.
Of course, having a white carpet only aggravates the speed at which the liquid will soil up the material. In this article, we show you a couple of tested and trusted ways to get rid of red wine stains from your lovely white carpet.
1. Tackle Red Wine Stains with Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap
While there are a couple of cleaning methods that work well on white carpets, especially for red stains – the hydrogen peroxide solution is the fastest route.
As you know, the carpet doesn’t have color dyes, making it nearly impossible to just blot and dry the floor. However, when you use a stronger cleaning agent, such as hydrogen peroxide; there is a higher chance that the stains will come off.
So, let’s dive right into it.
Materials Needed:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- A sponge and;
- Liquid dish soap
Method to Use:
Here are the step-by-step processes for using this solution to tackle red wine stains on a white carpet.
a. Prepare the Cleaning Solution
Start by mixing the main ingredients, hydrogen peroxide, and liquid dishwashing soap. The measurement to use is:
- 2 parts of hydrogen peroxide and;
- 1 part of dye-free, liquid dishwashing soap.
b. Do a Spot-Test
The hydrogen peroxide cleaning solution is recommended because it is a mild bleach, capable of causing discoloration. Hence, using it on a white carpet reduces the risk of discoloring, because white might not be bleached.
Before the main application, do a spot test. Here is the technique:
- Dip a sponge into the mixture and apply it to a hidden or non-conspicuous part of the carpet.
- Inspect the area to be sure of the results.
c. Clean the White Carpet Properly
Haven confirmed that the solution can bring even stain removal; you can now begin the process of applying it to the rest of the white carpet.
Here is the direction to follow:
- Put on some rubber gloves. These will protect your hands from getting damaged, due to the harsh content of the solution.
- Dip a sponge into the mixture and wring excess water out of it.
- Apply the sponge to the stained area and allow it to sit for several minutes. Within this time, the bleach should lift most of the stains out of the carpet.
- Gently blot the area with the sponge. You can start from the outer part of the carpet (the edges) and work your way into the center.
- Blot the area dry by dipping a clean, dry cloth in water, wringing it thoroughly, and using the cloth to wipe the area.
- Finalize by using a clean, dry towel to clean the area, as a way of getting rid of any soapy residue.
Read: How To Get Red Wine Out Of Carpet With Salt
2. Tackle the Stains with Salt & White Vinegar
Some homeowners are sold on the idea of tackling red wine spills on a white carpet with just the hydrogen peroxide and liquid dish soap mixture. While that does a good “magic,” it is not the only option out there.
Do you know that a few sprinkles of salt and white vinegar could provide a similar change? Now that your interest is piqued, let us introduce you to the steps.
For this method, you just need salt and white vinegar. And a clean, dry towel.
Here is how to make it work:
a. Drench the Towel in Water
Dip a clean, dry microfiber cloth in a bowl of cold water. After a few seconds, lift it out of the bowl and make sure a lot of the moisture is drenched. You want the cloth to be damp and not wet.
b. Sprinkle Salt on the Floor
Now, take a lot of salt in your palm and evenly sprinkle it over the stained area. After a few minutes, inspect the floor to be sure that the salt has been soaked by the red wine stains.
c. Blot the Stains
You can now use the damp cloth to blot the stains out of the carpet. Avoid rubbing it in – but work your way from the outer edges to the center of the carpet.
d. Dry the Floor
Repeat the last step as much as possible – until the rest of the red wine stains are removed from the white carpet.
You can now get a dry, microfiber cloth to wipe the carpet. This helps to get excess moisture and the remaining residues out.
3. Blotting the Stain Helps
The conventional method of tackling red wine spills can also be used to get rid of the stains from a white carpet. Blotting the stain can help you.
Here are the steps to take to get this done:
a. Get the Materials Ready
The materials you need for this task include:
- Water
- White vinegar
- A clean, dry microfiber cloth and;
- A spray bottle
b. Blot the Stains First
Immediately the red wine spills on the floor; grab the clean cloth and get to work:
- Dab at the stains.
- Continue and change to using different parts of the cloth.
- Ensure that most of the stains have been removed from the carpet.
c. Prepare the Cleaning Solution
You will now prepare the cleaning solution for the task. The measurement to use is one of equal parts of water and white vinegar.
Pour the mixture into the spray bottle when you are done and shake until it is thoroughly mixed.
d. Apply the Cleaning Solution
You now need to spritz the cleaning solution from the spray bottle to the affected part of the white carpet.
While at it, do these:
- Allow the solution to stay in the area for several minutes.
- Blot it with a paper towel or a clean, white cloth. By using an up-and-down motion, you should be able to get much of the stains and the mixture out of the surface.
e. Rinse and Dry the Carpet
The last step here is to rinse the carpet with a damp cloth before wiping it with a clean, microfiber cloth to get excess moisture out of the area.
4. Tackle Red Wine Stains with a Carpet Stain Remover
If you are tackling stick-in or stubborn stains – using a carpet stain remover will help you do that. Below are the steps to take:
- Visit a local store and purchase a carpet stain remover – and one specifically designed to tackle red wine stains.
- Follow the instructions on the label to apply the remover.
Note: you may want to try the carpet stain remover on a discreet part of the carpet. This helps you check the performance before using it on the broader part of the floor.
Rinse the Floor
You can remove the residues from the area by doing any of the following:
- Rinsing the affected area with clean water and blotting it thereafter with a paper towel or a clean, dry towel.
- Dip a clean, microfiber cloth into a bowl of clean water. Wring out excess water out of it and then use a damp cloth to wipe the floor.
5. Will Baking Soda Work?
Yes, you can use baking soda to get rid of red wine stains from a white carpet. These are the steps:
a. Make the Baking Soda Paste
You would need 3 parts of baking soda and 1 part of water. You will thoroughly mix the two until a consistent, thick paste is formed. Use a bowl for this purpose.
b. Apply the Paste
To apply the paste, use an old rag to scoop it up from the bowl and directly apply it to the stained part of the carpet.
Allow the paste to remain in the area for as long as possible.
c. Vacuum the Floor
You will know it is time to remove the baking soda past if it has absorbed most of the liquid. Here is what to watch out for:
- Check if the liquid has seeped through the paste.
- Inspect the baking soda paste to see if has been discolored.
When you’ve confirmed those, use your vacuum cleaner to get rid of the crusty soda out of the stained area.
d. Wipe the Floor
If there are no residues left; you can then wipe the floor. Otherwise, you may want to use a carpet stain remover (and follow the instructions therein) to get rid of the residues.
Then, complete this stage by wiping the carpet with a clean, dry microfiber cloth or towel.
FAQs
1. How to Dilute Red Wine out of White Carpet?
You can dilute the wine if it has been in the area for some time. The dilution can be done with small amounts of cold water sprinkled on the affected area to lift the stains.
2. Can I Use Hot Water to Lift Fresh Red Wine Stains out of the White Carpet?
No, stick to using cold water, because hot water might cause the wine to stick to the carpet. You can only use hot or warm water when removing older or tougher red wine stains.
Concluding Thoughts
The topic of how to remove red wine stains from white carpet is not so popular, because one is expected to be extra careful when this type of carpet is installed in the home.
But if you are unlucky to have someone bump your arm while carrying a glass of red wine or mistakenly knock the bottle over from the bar – rest assured that the tips in this article will guide you in tackling the stains (whether fresh or dried) like a pro!