Getting rid of red wine stains with salt can be a very precise step to keeping the stains from further spreading. Although some homeowners (who love wine by the way), haven’t been able to figure it all out, we have simplified the process for you.
This article puts you through the process of applying salt to red wine stain, as a way of removing it and restoring the shine on the carpet.
Does Salt Remove Wine Stain?
Yes, you can use salt to get rid of stains caused by red wine spills. However, the key is to use it in the right proportion and know when to leave it to sit and when to wipe it.
In the next sections, we show you how to do it rightly.
1. Start by Blotting the Stain
The fact is that salt wouldn’t do all the “magic” of removing the stain. You need to stimulate the process and “prepare the ground” for the carbonization properties of the salt to work.
Thus, blotting the stains with a paper towel or a clean cloth or towel is the first step. This helps you to take off as much of the stains as possible. The rest would then be tackled when the salt is applied.
a. Cover the Stain with Salt
You now have to cover the stain with salt, as that helps to soak up the stains. You can either sprinkle the salt or pour a generous amount of salt on the stained area of the carpet.
Make sure that the salt covers the area so that the stains are no longer visible. Also, pouring or sprinkling a generous amount of salt on the area helps to prevent the stain from “setting” and further spilling on the carpet.
b. Leave the Salt on the Wine
The salt needs to be on the stained area for some time, so exercise patience and let it “sit.” The waiting time can be anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes. A good rule of thumb is to wait for the salt to absorb the moisture from the stain. This can be spotted when the color of the salt turns from white to pink.
c. Vacuum the Carpet
On confirming that the salt has absorbed the moisture from the wine and the color has turned pinkish; get a vacuum cleaner and vacuum the salt off the area.
You can clean it with a damp cloth afterward.
2. How to Use Kosher Salt to Get Rid of Red Wine Stain
There has been a debate on the effectiveness of kosher salt over traditional/table salt. Both offer almost the same cleaning solution, but you may want to use kosher salt instead of your regular kitchen salt.
Here is a guide on how to put it to good use for red wine stain removal:
a. Blot the Stain
Use a paper towel or a clean cloth to dab as much of the stains out of the carpet. Try using cold water too if the stains appear not to be coming off.
b. Spread Salt on the Surface
Sprinkle or pour a generous amount of salt on the stained area of the carpet. Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes so more of the red wine would be absorbed into it.
c. Vacuum the Salt
Get a vacuum cleaner ready for use, as soon as the salt has absorbed the red wine stains. Use it to vacuum the salt from the surface of the carpet and repeat until the entire surface is clean.
d. Stain Assessment Follows
It is not enough that the stains have absorbed into the salt and been vacuumed off the area. Paying closer attention helps to see if more of that is still in the affected area.
Inspect the area to see if some of the stains are left behind. You may need to bend downwards to the carpet to get a clearer view. If you find more of the stains there, here are the options to consider:
- Repeat the process of applying more salt to the stained area and vacuum the salt.
- Consider using a damp cloth to clean the surface. This is recommended if you have more salt particles in the stained area after vacuuming.
What to Do if the Red Wine Stain Doesn’t Come off
There are two (2) major reasons why your efforts to remove red wine stain on a carpet won’t work:
- You didn’t follow through with the previous steps outlined in this article and;
- The stain has dried.
If you followed our steps, you can be sure the stain would come off. But if the stain is dried, you can be sure that it wouldn’t come off that easily. In that case, you need to take extra steps to remove it.
Here are the steps to take to address a “stubborn” or dried red wine stain on your carpet:
a. Leave the Salt for a Long Time
From the previous steps, we recommended waiting between 5 and 15 minutes for the salt to “sit” on the stain. However, if you are tackling dried stains, the time will be longer. Leave the salt on the surface/stained area overnight.
Cover the salt with a clean cloth. You may also use a hard item, such as a stone or a brick to hold the cloth in position. Besides keeping the cloth in place, the item also helps to press down the salt on the stain. This is a better way to suck up more of the stains into the salt.
b. Blot the Carpet
In the morning, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the salt heap from the surface of the carpet. Then, get a clean cloth or a paper towel. Also, get a bowl of cold water. Use the cloth to dip into the water and use it to dab at the stained area. Use an “up-and-down” motion for this process and be gentle with it.
In a few minutes, the remnants of the stains will come off – along with the salt residues.
3. How to Remove Red Wine Stain with Salt and Vinegar
White vinegar has always been a vital cleaning agent for different kinds of floor covers, including carpets and rugs. In this case, you can combine it with salt, instead of baking soda.
Here is how to maximize the two for the best effects on removing the stain caused by red wine spillage:
a. Blot the Stained Area
Dip a clean cloth or a paper towel into warm water and use the same to dab at the stained part of the carpet. Keep at it until a considerable amount of the stain is removed.
b. Prepare the Cleaning Solution
The key to making a mixture out of salt and white vinegar is getting the right ratio. We recommend adding one part of salt to three parts of water. Also, add 1 ½ tablespoons of salt to the bowl and add a tablespoon of white vinegar to mix it with.
c. Cover the Stained Area
Next, cover the stained part of the carpet with the mixture. Make sure to cover all the areas so that the stain wouldn’t be visible.
d. Blot the Stain
Let the mixture sit on the area for some minutes, or at least, it is air-dried. Get a clean cloth and blot the stain out of the surface.
e. Dry the Area
Keep at it until you are sure the shine is restored to the carpet. You can then use a damp cloth to wipe the residues out of the stained area.
Extra Measures to Take
The task of clearing red wine stains out of a carpet doesn’t end with blotting or vacuuming the cleaning solution (salt or salt and vinegar mixture) out of the area. You may also need to take extra measures, in some cases.
The first measure to take is soaking the fabric in cold water with laundry detergent overnight. Wash in the morning. This is the case if you are dealing with clothing.
The second measure is exclusive to carpet stains and upholstery stains caused by red wine. In this case, you need to make a cleaning solution of white vinegar and salt or just use salt to wipe off the stain from the stained area.
FAQs
1. Does Salt Get Red Wine out of Carpet?
Yes, you can use only table salt or kosher salt to remove red wine from the stained carpet. You may also explore combining table salt with white vinegar and using the solution to cover the stained area before blotting.
2. How Long to Leave Salt on Red Wine Stain?
The ideal time is between 5 and 15 minutes after covering the stained area with salt or the salt-based cleaning solution. However, if the red wine stain has dried, you need to cover it with salt and leave it overnight. In the morning, survey the area to be sure the stains are gone before vacuuming.
Final Words
Salt can be a very essential cleaning agent for sucking-up red wine stains from your carpet. Use it alone or combine it with white vinegar for an effective cleaning of the stained area and restoration of the shine to the carpet.