When you have a white carpet, spilling red wine on it may seem like your worst nightmare. But all it takes is a house party, an unsteady hand, or an irresponsible visitor, and before you know it, there's a big red blotch on your previously perfect carpet. While it may seem like the only solutions are to replace the carpet or place furniture over the stains, there are some methods you can use to try and fade the stain considerably if not remove it altogether.
Club Soda
This classic stain remover is not just for clothing. It often works wonders on carpets, too. The slight acidity of the club soda helps break down staining particles without damaging your carpet fibers. After blotting up as much wine as you can with a dry towel, pour a generous amount of club soda onto the area. Let it sit for a minute or two, and then blot up as much liquid as you can. Try to work from the outside of the stain inwards to prevent spreading the stain. Repeat the pour-and-blot method a couple of times, each time making sure that you blot up as much liquid as possible. If the stain does not disappear entirely, it should at least be a lot less obvious.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is excellent at removing stains, including red wine stains. It may not be quite as effective as club soda because it's not carbonated (so it does not "bubble" into the carpet fibers in the same manner), but if you have white vinegar and not club soda, it's certainly not a bad choice. Mix the vinegar with an equal amount of cold water. Pour it on the stain (after you've already soaked up as much wine as possible) and then pour a generous amount onto the stained area. Soak it up with a dry cloth, and repeat as needed. The carpet will have a vinegar scent initially, but it should dissipate within a day or two.
Salt
You can use this method following either the club soda or vinegar method if there's still a hint of wine color remaining. Pour a generous amount of coarse sea salt on top of the stained area. Let it sit for two or three days. The salt will slowly draw liquid – including the staining particles – out of the carpet. Scoop up most of the salt, and then vacuum up the rest of it.
If all else fails, consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning service to try and remove the stain from your carpet. While you will have to pay for this service, it's a lot cheaper than having to replace the carpet entirely.
Share27 June 2016
Hello, my name is Kirk. Welcome to my website about cleaning. When I developed asthma, I had to figure out the best way to manage my health. Since my asthma worsened with exposure to allergens, I had to dedicate myself to deep cleaning my home on a regular basis. I learned a lot about keeping my home clean using natural products and methods. I also utilize cleaning services when I cannot perform the work myself. I would like to help others learn how to keep their home clean and tidy on their own and with professional help. I hope you will follow along to learn all you can about cleaning your home. Thanks for visiting.