How to Get Red Wine out of Clothes?

Red wine is an excellent accompaniment to dinners and parties, but accidentally spilling it on your dress can get you into serious trouble. It was an unpleasant experience. In the mind of any modern person, every detail is essential: not only the colour chosen but also cleanliness. Unfortunately, unpleasant incidents like spilt red wine are not uncommon. It is worth considering that contamination on fabrics is one of the most difficult to remove. What if the victim of such neglect was a new shirt, blouse or tablecloth? It is okay to postpone the removal of stains. The earlier you remove red wine stains from clothes, the easier it will be. Before removing red wine stains from such things, testing the effectiveness of the cleaning agent on the back side of an inconspicuous area is worth testing. Sometimes, it is better not to try to immediately take your favourite clothes to the dry cleaner. Many methods and tips exist for removing red wine stains from clothes or tablecloths. Let's find out how to clean wine inexpensively. Today, we will tell you how to wash red wine stains from clothes and why it is so difficult to get them out.

Red wine is made from grape varieties with a high content of anthocyanins. These are pigments, the main colouring substances. The persistence and brightness of their colour are determined by the environment in which the grapes grow. Molecules of these substances quickly penetrate the fabric's fibres and are absorbed, making it difficult to remove the red wine stain, especially dried. React anthocyanins to vinegar, and some are removed after reaction with acid. If these substances do not help, you can use baking soda. Aggressive chemicals are applicable only if they do not damage the fabric and its colour. Anthocyanins are quickly absorbed, so taking action as soon as possible is important to have a better chance of saving the item.

1. Start cleaning as soon as possible. The less elapsed time, the easier it is to remove the red wine stains. In the first stage, use absorbent agents that prevent pigments from penetrating into the fabric: baking soda or salt.

2. Make sure it is safe before using an aggressive industrial or folk remedy. To do this, apply the composition to an inconspicuous area. You can safely use the remedy if there are no negative reactions and the material's colour has not changed.

3. Ask for help at the dry cleaner if the red wine stain remains on a delicate fabric, which is dangerous to wash at home: organza, fur, suede, etc.

4. The most effective way to remove red wine stains on clothes or interior items is through professional laundry products: red wine stain removers and bleaches. But home remedies are faster in absorbing fresh dirt.

- If you notice a red wine stain on your clothes, and at this moment, there is no opportunity to change clothes and do the laundry, use an ordinary dry or wet napkin. In the first case, do not forget to moisten it in water, apply it to the red wine stain and wash it. The dirty spot should be dried with a napkin and then treated with cool water and soap solution. It should be used when it is possible to wash the thing in a washing machine.

- Table salt is another option that allows you to remove fresh contamination. Pour it over the entire area of the red wine stain and wait 1-2 minutes. You can apply salt to a fresh red wine stain and shake it off after it absorbs the liquid. It is worth repeating the procedure several times if necessary. During this time, the liquid will be collected and will remain to shake off the salt to wash the clothes. If the red wine stain remains, repeat the procedure. This method is suitable for the most urgent treatment if no other means exist. It is not too effective, so do not count on it especially.

- Another effective method is vodka. Pour a few drops on a napkin or absorbent cotton and wipe the desired area. Alcohol neutralizes anthocyanins, and the dye will not have time to penetrate the fabric's fibres. Alcohol will neutralize stubborn pigment.

- Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen can be treated with steep boiling water. To do this, the product should be stretched on a convenient surface and slowly poured boiling water until the red wine stain is completely dissolved. The method is also effective and harmless for any white fabric with a fresh red wine stain.

- Many who have managed to save clothes from fresh red wine stains note the effectiveness of mineral water in combination with lemon juice - both are almost always on the holiday table. Drop a little juice and mineral water on absorbent cotton or a napkin and blot the red wine stains with blotting motions. Important note: do not try to wash off the wine trail with hot water! Not only will this not solve the problem, but it will also cause the wine components to bind firmly to the fabric's fibres.

- Remedies that can help in the case of old red wine stains are unsuitable for treating delicate fabrics. Stubborn red wine stains are difficult to remove but still possible. Several powerful remedies can help to fight them.

- Equal proportions of salt, baking soda, and powder with a small amount of hot water should be mixed to create a homogeneous mass and a thick layer on the red wine stain. Rub the remedy with a small brush for a sufficiently long time, adding new portions of the cleaning composition if necessary.

- Laundry soap, in combination with hydrogen peroxide, can work a miracle in removing red wine stains from clothes. However, you will have to be patient in this case because you will have to wash away the pollution for a long time, periodically adding a solution of peroxide and soap to the fabric.

- The solution of citric acid will help to wash off not only fresh but also red wine stains. The contaminated fabric should be left in it for a sufficiently long time. This method is not suitable for removing red wine stains from delicate fabrics ( silk , cashmere, and triacetate)! After treatment, the thing should be washed in the usual way.

- Boiling in water can whiten the fabric, but this method is only good for light-colour napkins, tablecloths, or kitchen towels.

- The most powerful means for removing red wine stains is a liquid for cleaning plumbing. However, this method is quite risky; before using it, you must stock up on gloves. Close to the tap with water, you should apply the product to the red wine stain and process it with a brush, after which you should rinse the fabric well under a stream of running water. It is important to thoroughly rinse the cleaning agent completely - after processing, the thing should be washed in the machine.

Using table vinegar is a great way to quickly deal with a red wine stain. The substance quickly penetrates the fabric's structure, affecting the accumulated liquid inside. It is enough to soak a cotton disk in vinegar and gently press on the fabric of the clothes for some time. You can also use baking soda instead of regular water to help.

To avoid ruining the clothes, follow our advice:

Do not make attempts to rub off a wet red wine stain. In addition to spreading the wine on the fabric, it will simultaneously go inside the fibers. This will make further attempts to launder the red wine stain more difficult.

Do not postpone washing. The sooner attempts are made to launder the red wine stain, the better. The structure and fibers of the fabric absorb liquid for a certain amount of time, depending on the type of textile.

Do not heat or dry the red wine stain. Such a solution may come to mind at the beginning of the problem. However, the red wine stain does not evaporate under the influence of a hair dryer or iron; it just "sets" and is more deeply absorbed into the fabric, which is important to consider.

Do not wash the thing in hot water if it is forbidden according to the instructions. The red wine stain will disappear, but the product will be spoiled.

Do not use a red wine stain remover that is not designed to remove organic contaminants. Because of the wrong means of choosing the wrong pigment, it will enter the fabric intentionally, and it will be impossible to get it out.

Do not throw just red wine-stained products away, hoping for dry cleaning or "magic" means. Fresh traces are removed faster than stale ones.

Do not apply compositions immediately from the front side of the product. Test on an inconspicuous area - it is unknown how the dye from the fabric will react to the stain remover. Test the cleaning compound on the inner seam or a material sample to avoid spoiling the item.