Move Quickly

There’s more than one way to remove red wine stains, but nearly everyone agrees that the quicker you act, the better. By attacking a spill just after it happens, you’re more likely to prevent a stain. Your first step should be pouring white wine over the red spill, or just blot the port wine with a clean cloth. Do not rub. Rubbing will only make the stain worse. Afterwards, sponge the area with hot water, being careful again to blot, not rub. Use a clean cloth to dry.

Another tip is to pour salt and warm water (or club soda) onto the spill. The salt will soak up the spill from the affected area. Alternatives to salt include talcum powder and baking soda.

So what if the Stain has Already Set In?

This is where it gets challenging, but don’t lose hope. Try mixing dishwashing soap with hydrogen peroxide. The chemical reaction should help get rid of a red stain. The soap creates a solubility in the stain that allows the peroxide to remove it. If the stain is on clothing, you can just add this mixture to the wash. On the carpet, pour it over the stain, and blot with a clean cloth.

Other Products

There are a few brand name products that purport to remove wine stains, like Wine Magic, or Wine Away. You’ll want to avoid harsh chemicals, as they can damage the cloth beyond a mere stain.

There is one sure method to prevent red wine stains: don’t drink red wine. Hey, I didn’t say it was a fun method.