How to remove red wine stains?

White or red wine stains can be a real headache, so it helps to understand what makes them so tough to remove from clothing, carpets, and upholstery.

First, wine stains are more stubborn than other kinds of stains due to their chemical makeup. Grapes contain two components that can cause staining - tannins and chromogens. Tannins are an acidic compound found in other infamous stainers like grass, chocolate, and berries. They also create that classic acidic taste in red and white wines. Chromogens are the chemicals in our food and drink that create colour. For example, in red wine, a chromogen called anthocyanin is responsible for that bright red colour. This is the same chemical that causes the red colour in fruits like berries, which can also cause stains. The combination of chromogens and tannins is part of what causes wine to stain so badly.

If you are wondering how to get red wine out of clothes, whether white or coloured, the first step is to act fast and remove as much excess liquid as possible. You can do this by blotting the area with a cloth or paper towel, or by running the affected area under cold water until the water runs clear. For stains on coloured clothing, use a product that will brighten colours and remove odours (in soaking on cotton), like Vanish Napisan Oxi Advance Multi Power Powder. For white fabrics, Vanish Napisan Oxi Advance Crystal White Powder is great for keeping whites white and removing odours (in soaking on cotton).

Some wine stains are more stubborn than others. For stains that won’t lift, even after removing excess liquid, try Vanish Preen Oxi Action 3in1 Carpet Stain Removal Spray. Even if you have missed a red wine stain and only noticed it hours later, don’t panic - this stain removal spray can even help with dried red wine stains. Follow these simple steps to help remove that pesky red wine stain.

When treating a white or red wine stain, there are a few important tips to keep in mind to prevent a red wine stain from getting worse.

• Act fast. If you begin treating a red wine stain as soon as it occurs, you have a much better chance of removing it. However, even if a red wine stain sets, high quality detergents or stain removers like Vanish products can still be used to help treat a stain.
• Apply gentle pressure when blotting a stain. Being too rough or scrubbing an affected area can actually push excess liquid further into a surface. This is particularly bad for upholstered and carpeted surfaces, which can’t be easily thrown in the washing machine.