We’ve all been there. You’re throwing a party, hosting a shindig, or simply chilling on the couch watching Netflix, cradling a glass of red wine. One minute it’s all fun and games and the next… you’re shrieking at the top of your lungs because your brand-new beige carpet has just been drenched in Pinot Noir.
It’s no secret that red wine can and will stain. However, any wrong movement and the stain can set or be pushed deeper into the fibers. With all the home remedies floating around, it’s hard to know what works and what doesn’t – some cleaning gurus swear by one treatment, while others swear by a completely different treatment. To put to rest what finally works once and for all, we researched many wine-be-gone possibilities and finally found a trick that is guaranteed to get rid of any red wine stain on any surface. It might sound crazy, but it is said to work better than just plain water. So, no need to panic! Read on for our tips on how to remove a red wine stain.
BRING OUT THE WHITE WINE
1. The Science
The theory is that white wine will dissolve the colour pigments that give red wine its signature hue. Red wine has pigments in it called anthocyanin that, depending on their pH level, appear more red, purple, or blue. These pigments essentially act like a naturally occurring dye, and the acids and tannins that accompany any decent Merlot or Malbec are bound to do damage as well.
2. Substitute for Water
Drenching the red wine stain in white wine will act much like water, filtering out the excess liquid. Make sure to hold the fabric taut, so that the white wine gets at as much rouge colour as possible.
