We’ve all experienced it at one time or another – that frightful moment a glass of delicious red wine topples over and spills on the carpet (or our clothes, that white sofa you just purchased). Yikes! It’s one of those crazy stains that can leave a lasting mark. Unless you know how to remove a red wine stain, sooner rather than later, that brilliant red stain may end up sticking around forever. No need to panic, though because the following tips regarding how to remove red wine carpet stains may just do the trick.
1. Mix a concentration of cloudy ammonia and water and blot (don’t rub) until the stain comes out. This cleanser combination uses a pH method of cleaning, with the red wine, a form of acid, being neutralized by ammonia solution, an alkaline base. NOTE: Cloudy Ammonia is a form of ammonia with a small amount of detergent added. If this doesn’t work, try the second tip listed below.
2. Sodium Bisulphite is a reducing agent and bleach that makes the red wine stain invisible. You’ll be able to find Sodium Bisulphite at any wine making shop or eBay. Winemakers use it to clean out wine bottles before the bottling process. To clean, gently blot the spot with a sponge using a combination of warm/hot water and the sodium bisulphite. When the red wine stain disappears, blot the spot again with clean water.
3. If you’re dealing with dried out, set in, red wine carpet stains that are more of a challenge to remove, try using an Oxi product. Saturate the area with hot water, apply a pre-treatment and let your Oxi Stain Remover work its magic (popular brands include Oxi Action and Vanish Napisan). It usually takes between 2 to 12 hours to see results.
4. Freshly spilled red wine can easily be cleaned with salt (table salt is fine). Just sprinkle the spill with the salt that will absorb the wine. This salt treatment solution usually works on carpeting, table clothes, couches and more, absorbing the liquid slowly and making it easier to lift the stain out.
As with most stains, the sooner you take action, the better. If you’re able to remove the stain before it has a chance to set fully into the carpet, etc., you’ll have a better chance of removing it all together. Also, always do a spot test on an area of the upholstery, carpeting, etc., that’s not visible.
What Doesn’t Work
Now that we’ve given you some tips on how to remove red wine carpet stains, here are a few things that don’t work. Ask anybody and they’ll have a “miracle” solution for removing red wine, whether it involves using shaving cream, white wine or some other ineffective method. Truth be told, these suggestions simply don’t work. Fabric protectors like Scotchgard don’t’ always prevent stains either, and since they’re surface applications, they’ll eventually wear off. Fortunately, the tips listed here can help remove red wine and other stains.
If these “How to Remove Red Wine Carpet Stain”, do it yourself” tips still aren’t lifting the red wine stain, contact Proton Carpet Cleaning Services. Our highly trained technicians offer professional services that include red wine stain removal. Contact us today to learn more. Does your carpet need a good overall cleaning? Don’t forget to ask us about our specials!
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