We’ve all been there. That moment of terror when time slows down, and your reflexes can’t speed up fast enough. You have a red wine spill on the carpet, your shirt, your table linens, and a big stain on your pride. Contrary to popular belief, all hope is not lost. Your favorite items are indeed salvageable with the help of a few simple techniques.
Water, Vinegar and Dish Soap, Oh My!
After blotting the red wine spill as much as possible with a clean, white towel, (blotting, not rubbing!) mix together one tablespoon of dish soap, one tablespoon of white vinegar and two cups of warm water. Apply this mixture to the stain using another clean towel, and alternate with a dry one as you blot and soak, blot and soak.
Grab the Peroxide
If the method above does not completely remove your red wine spill stain, reach for the hydrogen peroxide in your medicine cabinet. Fill a spray bottle with one part water and one part carpet cleaner. Saturate the area with hydrogen peroxide, really letting the solution absorb into the fibers of the affected surface, then follow with a misting of your soapy water. Keep blotting the area with your clean, white towel and voila!
When in Doubt, More Wine
No, we don’t mean to throw in the towel and drown your sorrows. White wine is an effective agent for removing red wine spill stains, and is one of the simplest remedies. If your stain is fresh, pour white wine over it and blot dry with your clean towel. Once you’ve dried the area as much as you can, wash the fabric or carpet normally with the cleaner of your choice. If you have a set-in stain, after pouring your white wine over the surface, spread a thick paste of water and baking soda over it. Let this solution sit for a few hours, moistening it with water every so often. Finally, wash the fabric normally.
These proven techniques for avoiding a red wine spill catastrophe are ones Mini Maid lives by. What are some of your prized cleaning secrets? Share them with us on our Facebook page!
