No matter how careful you may be at the dinner table, spills and splatters are bound to happen. But what happens when the spill is red wine? How do you get the red wine out of the tablecloth? And what if it dries? We have researched the best methods to remove fresh and dried red wine from tablecloths, and in this post, we'll go over them with you.
Here are a few methods that you can use to remove fresh and dried red wine from your tablecloths:
- Apply club soda
- Use table salt
- Use hydrogen peroxide and dish soap
- Use boiling water
- Try white wine
- Try vinegar and baking soda
Red wine stains can be particularly challenging to remove, particularly once dried. However, it is possible to eradicate it by using the proper methods. Continue reading to learn the steps of the best methods to use to get your tablecloth looking brand new again.
Quick Tip About Wine Stain Removal
It's always best to wipe up excess wine from the tablecloth as soon as possible; the longer the stain has to set into the fabric, the harder it can be to get rid of it. And the last thing you want is for the wine to dry onto the tablecloth. So, start by using paper towels or a clean cloth to dab the affected areas as much as possible.
Apply club soda
One of the best ways to remove wine stains that are fresh or dry on the tablecloth is to apply club soda. The great thing about this method is that club soda can be purchased for a few bucks at most local stores or online.
- Start by taking a paper towel or clean white cloth and blotting as much of the wine from the table cloth as possible.
- Next, set the stained area of the tablecloth over the sink or a tub and then pour the club soda over the top of the stain. Let the soda fizz and soak on the stain for about 7 to 10 minutes. The soda will need time to break the stain, and the carbonation will dissolve the pigments of the wine.
- Then, take a clean cloth or tile and absorb the rest of the liquid. You can soak the tablecloth again as needed. If the wine stain is dry, you may need to perform these steps anywhere from two to three times.
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Use table salt
Sometimes the best cleaning solutions and stain removers will be hiding in plain sight within your home. This is the case when it comes to salt. You can use salt to remove fresh or dried wine stains from your table cloth.
- Start by taking the salt shaker or salt container from the pantry.
- Next, place the staying the tablecloth over the sink and sprinkle the salt crystals onto the stain. Be sure to sprinkle the salt generously. You should notice the crystals beginning to turn pink. Let the salt sit on the table cloth anywhere from 2 to 4 hours or overnight if the stain has dried.
- Then, scoop up the salt stains using a vacuum or scrape them away with a fork or a butter knife.
- Next, wash the table cloth and cold water. Repeat as needed until the stain is completely removed.
Use hydrogen peroxide and dish soap
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the best stain and least expensive stain fighters that you can keep in your arsenal. It works as a natural bleaching agent and can help to lift red wine stains as well.
- Start by mixing 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide with one teaspoon of mild dish soap.
- Next, stir the ingredients together and then dab them on the affected area of a tablecloth.
- Gently blot the area so that the mixture can penetrate deep into the fabric of his table cloth.
- Next, let the mixture sit for about 3 to 5 minutes and rinse the tablecloth with cold water.
- Then, wash the entire tablecloth and warm water, and a tiny amount of laundry detergent.
- Upon removing the tablecloth from the washer, check to see if the stain is still visible. If so, repeat the steps as needed until it's gone.
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Use boiling water
- If you have a white tablecloth or one that's colorfast, you can also use boiling water to get rid of fresh and dried red wine stains.
- Start by boiling 3 cups of water in a saucepan on the stove.
- Next, place the stained area of the tablecloth over the sink or a large heat-tolerant bowl and then pour the boiled water over the stained area. The hot water will help to loosen the pigment and lift it from the fabric.
- Next, pour salt on the affected area of a tablecloth. If the stain is still present, and let it sit for a few hours. Then follow the rest of the steps of the salt method listed above until the stain is completely lifted.
Try white wine
While it may sound counterproductive, white wine can also be used to help remove red wine stains. White wine helps to neutralize red wine stain pigments so that they are easier to remove.
- For this method, please the tablecloth over the sink or the infected area on top of a large bowl.
- Next, pour white wine over the stain until it is completely saturated.
- Follow up by pouring salt on top of the affected area and letting it sit anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours as needed.
- Then, wash the tablecloth in cold water with a small amount of laundry detergent. Check to see if the stain is gone before drying the tablecloth.
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Try vinegar and baking soda
This method can be used as a follow-up method for salt, white wine, or club soda. It's particularly effective for removing set wine stains that have dried onto the tablecloth.
- After you have tried the previously mention methods, start by combining three parts of water with one part of baking soda in a mixing bowl.
- Next, add one part of white vinegar to the mix.
- Then apply the cleaning solution to the affected areas on the table cloth by blotting it with a clean white cleaning cloth.
- Continue to blot the fabric until the stains have entirely lifted. You may need to repeat the process a couple of times if the stain is old.
Also, check out this video on how to remove red wine stains from a tablecloth:
Are red wine stains permanent?
Wild red wine stains will sink deep into the fabrics of most fibers. It will typically only become a permanent saying if the fibers are dry, particularly if they are placed in a heated dryer. This will cause the stains to "set" into the fabric, making it impossible to remove without damaging the fabric.
To avoid this, it's always best to quickly blot up red wine stains and treat them with an effective spot treatment as soon as possible. You'll also want to avoid drying the fabric while the stain is still present.
Can baking soda remove red wine stains?
Yes, baking soda is very effective for removing wine stains, particularly when combined with white vinegar. The sodium bicarbonate in baking soda is a natural neutralizer, which works in conjunction with the acetic acid in vinegar to lift the pigment in the red wine from different fabrics and surfaces.
Does salt get rid of red wine stains?
Table salt works to lift stains from red wine before they have a chance to set. It's best to use this method while the stain is fresh, as the salt will work as a mild abrasive to help prevent the stain from setting into the fabric. The salt will absorb the wine by lifting the color away from the garment's surface or fabric.
Do you wash red wine stains in hot or cold water?
It's best to wash red wine stains with cold water to prevent the stains from setting into the fabric. The reason is that cold water works better to remove protein-based stains, which include red wine. This also includes stains from blood, glues, eggs, and dyes. Washing protein-based stains in hot water will cause the protein to cook and then be absorbed into the fibers of the garments.
Wrapping Things Up
As you can see, you have quite a few options to choose from when it comes to removing fresh and dried red wine stains. Red wine stains can be initially intimidating. However, fast action will always increase your chances of effectively removing the red wine stain from your tablecloth.
Before you go, be sure to check out some of our other posts that may be of interest to you: