Tips for removing a red wine stain without damaging the fabric

After a dinner or a family gathering with plenty of drinks, you've noticed a red wine stain on your clothes or the tablecloth. Some of your relatives might have already said it's impossible to remove. However, that's not the case at all , because by following these tips, you can easily get rid of it.

Techniques for removing a fresh stain

If you plan to remove the stain immediately after the incident, the most well-known trick is to use baking soda and lemon. Start by gently blotting the wine stain before mixing the baking soda with lemon juice . Spread the resulting paste over the stain. Then simply brush it off and machine wash the garment after the mixture has dried.

You can also use soapy water and alcohol . Add a few drops of soap to water, then add a drop of 70% alcohol. Dampen a clean cloth with this mixture and gently rub the red wine stain. Machine wash at 30°C.

You can also remove the stain by applying white powder . Ideally, this powder should be made from talcum powder, flour, or Fuller's earth. Sprinkle it over the stain. After it dries, gently brush the fabric.

You can also use lukewarm or warm milk to remove the stain . Dampen a cloth with the milk, then use it to vigorously rub the stain. After about an hour, the stain should disappear.

Each fabric requires its own specific technique.

It 's worth noting that before completely removing stains from your fabric, you must consider its type . The product(s) you intend to use may not be entirely suitable. Therefore:

• If the fabric is linen, cotton, or denim, rinse it with clean water before vigorously rubbing the stain with Marseille soap. A machine wash at 40°C will then be necessary.
• To remove a stain from silk, simply blot it quickly with cold water.
• For a stain on satin, rub vigorously with a cloth dampened with sparkling water before dabbing with rubbing alcohol. Finish with a gentle rinse.
• To remove a red wine stain from velvet, simply rub the stain with a sponge dampened with white wine before washing and removing any residue. You can also use vinegar.
• If it's wool, start by soaking the item in lukewarm milk for 30 minutes before soaking it in a basin of soapy water , then in clean water. After that, simply let it dry.
• To remove a fine stain from a synthetic fabric, it is best to dab with water and dish soap.

What about older stains and products and other actions to avoid?

If you only decide to act a few days after the party or dinner, you'd be better off using stronger products to remove red wine stains from your clothes. These include 70% alcohol, washing soda, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, and regular dishwashing detergent. When using these products, avoid leaving them on for more than 5 minutes before rinsing.

Several other actions should also be avoided to prevent damaging the fabric during the removal of a wine stain. These include, in particular:

• Putting the fabric directly into the washing machine immediately after removing stains could have the opposite effect.
• Use salt to remove the stain. While salt does absorb liquids well, it can also damage the fabric.
• Washing the fabric without pre-treating the stain will set the stain, making it impossible to remove.