What is the worst thing that can happen at a party? Running out of wine. What is the second-worst thing that can happen? Spilling red wine all over someone’s clean, white carpeting.

But don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world.

Key Takeaways

• Blot, don’t scrub, blotting lifts the wine out, while scrubbing pushes it deeper into the carpet fibers.
• Carpet cleaner, club soda, and milk are all reasonable at-home options if you act quickly.
• A dried stain can still be removed with the same methods, it just takes more time and patience.

We’ve all been to a party where, after a few hours, people start to loosen up a bit and arm motions tend to become more animated, and there’s always that one person who accidentally spills their drink on the floor.

This wouldn’t be a problem if the spill landed on a hardwood or tile floor. But you know if red wine is going to spill, it’s going to spill onto a spotless white carpet.

There are plenty of ways to remove the wine from the floor before it leaves a permanent stain, even if it took you a little bit of time to notice the spill and the stain has already started to set and dry.

What to Do When Someone Spills Red Wine on Carpet

Unfortunately, if you are having a party with red wine, there is bound to be an accident. But no matter whose fault it is, there are still steps you can take to save the carpet.

Regardless of the methods you choose to use to help remove red wine stains from carpet, there is one important thing you must do as soon as possible.

1. Blot the area with dry paper towels or cloth. The first thing you want to do is blot the red wine spill with paper towels to absorb as much of the liquid as possible and to prevent the stain from setting. You do not want to scrub the carpet, as this will just rub the liquid further into the fibers. Dabbing, or blotting, is the best way to absorb as much of the liquid as you possibly can while ensuring you don’t make the situation worse than it already is. Once you have as much liquid removed from the carpet as possible, you can begin to clean the remaining stain from the area.
2. Try a traditional carpet cleaner. If you have a carpet cleaner in your home, you can try this method before relying on other household chemicals or liquids. Spray enough carpet cleaner onto the stain so that it is fully covered and damp. Wait a couple of minutes for the cleaner to soak into the carpet, then blot the stain with a clean, dry towel or paper towels. Be sure to always test your carpet cleaner in an inconspicuous area of your carpet first, some carpet cleaners can cause discoloration. If you don’t have carpet cleaner in the house, there are also a few ways to clean up the spill using common household items.
3. Try club soda. Club soda is a great way to help rid your carpet of red wine stains without the use of chemicals. After you have blotted the spill to absorb as much of the liquid as possible, pour some club soda over the stain, wait a few seconds, then begin to blot the area again. Once the spot is dry, repeat the process by adding more club soda and blotting until the stain is completely removed. While there is no proven chemical reason why club soda helps remove wine stains, some believe the bubbles help release the stain from the carpet fibers, making it easier to lift out. This method tends to work well on carpet, though it may not work as well on other materials like a tablecloth or clothing.
4. Try milk. If you don’t have carpet cleaner or club soda on hand, milk may be your next best bet, and it can also help lift red wine stains out of clothing. The fat content in milk helps absorb the red wine, drawing it out of the fibers instead of letting it set in further. Blot the stain completely dry first, then pour milk onto the stain. Let it sit for a minute or so, then blot up the liquid, repeating as necessary until the stain is removed. This method can work on carpet but is more commonly used on clothing and other washable fabrics. Milk can leave an odor behind, so if you use this method on carpet, be sure to clean or deodorize the area afterward.

These four methods are great for cleaning up spills you notice right away, but what about stains that have already set and dried?

How to Remove Dry Red Wine Stains

Sometimes a spill goes unnoticed until it’s too late, and now you’re stuck with a completely dry stain that seems impossible to clean up.

The good news: the methods above can still work even on a stain that’s already set and dry, it may just take a little more effort, and possibly a combination of methods, to fully remove it.

Since each method involves some kind of dampening liquid, let it sit on the stain a little longer than you would for a fresh spill. This gives it time to soak into the stain before you begin to blot and dab the area with a dry paper towel or cloth.

Remember, no matter how tempting it is, do not scrub the stain unless you’ve run out of other options. Scrubbing forces the stain deeper into the carpet fibers and makes things much harder to fix.

Things to Remember When Cleaning Red Wine Stains

Spilling red wine on your carpet is not the end of the world. The methods and techniques above are great ways to tackle these kinds of stains, and plenty of other spills that might seem like a disaster for your carpet at first.

As long as you act as quickly as possible, blot (not scrub) the area to soak up as much liquid as possible, and treat the carpet using these tips, you should have no problem cleaning up the mess without the party skipping a beat.

Do you have a technique or method you’ve used to clean up red wine stains that you think people should know? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram!

We would love to hear the creative ways our readers have found to clean up after a wine-tasting party mishap, and for more wine know-how, check out our other wine tips.

FAQ

Does club soda actually work on red wine stains?

Many people find it helps, though there’s no proven chemical reason why. The theory is that the carbonation helps lift the stain from the carpet fibers. It’s a reasonable household option to try, especially if you don’t have a dedicated carpet cleaner on hand.

Can you still remove a red wine stain after it has dried?

Yes. The same methods, blotting, carpet cleaner, club soda, or milk, can still work on a dried stain, it just may take more time and a combination of methods, since the dampening liquid needs longer to soak into an already-set stain.

Should you scrub a red wine stain?

No. Scrubbing pushes the stain deeper into the carpet fibers and makes it harder to remove. Blotting is always the better approach, whether the stain is fresh or dry.