How to Get Red Wine Out of Carpet: 3 Expert-Approved Ways

Whether it’s from a delightful dinner party hosted in your home or a romantic dinner between you and your significant other, a red wine spill can change the mood from 100 to 0. But you don’t have to worry because we’ve got you covered.

In this article, we show you how to get red wine out of carpet with three practical methods, using products you already have at home. Let’s get started!

What you’ll need

• Table salt or kosher salt (avoid using iodized salt)
• Clean white cloth or paper towels
• Vacuum cleaner or broom (optional)
• Liquid dish soap
• Water in a spray bottle (optional)

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How to get red wine out of carpet with salt

To get red wine out of carpet with salt, blot the wine with a clean cloth. Pour a small amount of water on the stain to dilute the wine and blot it again, using the other side of the cloth. Sprinkle salt generously on the stain to absorb the remaining red wine and moisture, then let sit for 5 to 10 minutes and vacuum. 

1. Blot the stain with paper towels

Act quickly and grab some paper towels or a clean cloth. Use it to gently blot the red wine stain to remove as much liquid as possible. As with other carpet cleaning tasks, it’s advisable to blot the stain rather than rubbing as it can spread the stain further into the carpet fibers.

2. Add water to the red wine stain

Pour a small amount of water directly on the red wine stain. The water helps dilute the wine and makes it easier to remove. Once added, continue blotting the area with another clean cloth or paper towel. Remember to use a different side of the cleaning cloth each time and change it if necessary.

3. Apply salt to the stained area

Next, generously sprinkle salt over the dampened stain. Make sure that the salt covers the entire affected region, as it aids in absorbing the moisture and red wine from the carpet fibers. Let the salt sit on the stain for about 5 to 10 minutes.

4. Vacuum the area

After the salt has had time to absorb the wine and moisture, use a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly remove the salt residue from the carpet. Ensure you vacuum the entire area to eliminate any remaining salt particles.

How to get red wine out of carpet with baking soda and vinegar

To get red wine out of carpet with baking soda and vinegar, the trick is to act quickly and blot the stain. Next, pour white vinegar on the stain and blot again with a clean cloth or paper towel. Make a baking soda and water paste, and apply to the stain. Let it sit overnight, and vacuum when the paste is dry.

• Blot immediately: Blot the stain immediately with a cloth or paper towels to remove excess wine.
• Pour vinegar: Pour white vinegar directly on the red wine stain and gently blot the area with a clean cloth or paper towel to lift the wine.
• Prepare paste: Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. 
• Apply baking soda paste: Apply the baking soda paste generously to the stained area, ensuring full coverage.
• Let sit: Let the paste sit on the stain for several hours or overnight to absorb the remaining wine.
• Vacuum carpet: Once the paste is dry, vacuum the baking soda residue from the carpet.
• Repeat if needed: If any stain remains, repeat the process by reapplying the baking soda paste and letting it sit.
• Rinse: Finally, rinse the area with a dampened cloth and blot dry with a paper towel.

How to get red wine out of carpet with club soda

To get red wine out of carpet using club soda, blot the stain to remove excess wine, then pour club soda on the stained area and gently blot again, transferring wine to the cloth. If the stain doesn’t clear, blot with a mixture of dish soap and water. Finally, rinse and air dry completely.

• Blot immediately: Immediately blot the red wine stain to remove excess wine.
• Pour club soda: Pour club soda directly on the stained area. 
• Blot again: Gently blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel, starting from the outer edges and working inward. Continue blotting until the stain transfers onto the cloth. Avoid rubbing, as it can spread the stain further.
• Add dish soap for persistent stains: If the stain persists, gently blot the area with a mixture of equal parts water and mild dish soap. 
• Rinse: Blot with a separate cloth dipped in clean water to rinse the area.
• Continue until stain is gone: Continue alternating between the soapy solution and clean water until the stain is no longer visible.
• Remove moisture: Once the stain is gone, blot the area with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture.
• Air dry carpet: Finally, allow the carpet to air dry completely.

Why does salt get red wine out of carpet?

Salt works to get red wine out of the carpet because of its absorbent properties and chemical interactions. It works by drawing out the moisture and red wine pigments from the carpet fibers to form a paste-like substance that you can easily vacuum away.

Do all wine stains come out?

No, not all wine stains come out. It depends on the type of wine, the type of carpet, the severity of the stain, how promptly it is treated, and the stain removal method used. For instance, deep reds or dark purple wines are harder to remove. In contrast, white wines are generally considered easy.

Get other tough stains out of carpet with these pro hacks

• 6 proven techniques for removing wax from carpet
• Three best ways to get highlighter out of carpet
• How to get nail polish out of carpet

Safely get red wine out of your carpet

As a general rule, remember to test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet before applying it to the entire stained area. If your preferred solution doesn’t stain or damage the carpet fiber after waiting for 5 minutes, you can use it on the larger stained region.

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