5 ways to get rid of red wine stains.

Posted by smol on


get STAIN GEL on smol shop

 

Are red wine stains the most dreaded of all the stains? Perhaps. 

But they shouldn’t be, because with the right tools and know-how, red wine stains are not as tricky to remove as we might fear. 

We’ve gathered our 5 fave red wine removing tips below, but before we get started…

5 things to remember when cleaning red wine. 

  • Be quick. It’s best to stop the liquid soaking deep into the fibres. 

  • Soak excess wine up with a clean cloth before picking one of our methods.

  • Never rub at a red wine stain. Always blot. 

  • Test your removal method on an inconspicuous bit of your clothing first.

  • Check clothing care labels for any warnings on stain removal.

1. a simple wash! 

If the stain has only just happened and you happen to be at home - one surprisingly simple and effective way to get red wine out of your clothes is to put it through a wash immediately. 

A smol bio capsule will give better stain removal results due to the enzymes it contains but you can still get great stain removal from our non-bio and fragrance-free. If you’re not sure about the difference between a bio and non-bio detergent, you can find out more here.

Remember to check the care label information on your item of clothing before you put it on to wash so you know you have selected the correct wash temperature for your clothes. 

2. stain gel. 

smol stain gel is of course a staple laundry item in so many of our customers’ cupboards! One great thing about the formulation is that it’s bleach-free so safe to use on all coloured clothes. It’s tested on real life stains, in real life situations by real life customers and gives such great results. 

  1. apply smol stain gel directly to the red wine stain. If the fabric care instructions allow, you can gently rub the gel into the stain and then leave to act for two minutes.

  2. put the clothing in your washing machine and wash with your usual detergent as per your garment instructions. We recommend smol bio capsules at 30°C for best results.

  3. Do not let the stain gel dry on the fabric, it’s important to use water to rinse away the stain once it has been digested.

3. bicarbonate of soda.

Bicarbonate of soda is a real cleaning gem so make sure to have some at hand for lots of different jobs around the home.

  1. Blot as much of the stain with a clean cloth.

  2. Make a paste of 1 part bicarb to 3 parts water. You want a porridge-like paste.

  3. Apply the paste to the red wine stain and leave for 5 mins.

  4. Soak a clean cloth in cold water, wring it out then use it to blot at the stain.

  5. Continue until the stain has gone. 

  6. Wash clothing as normal.

4. clear vinegar and smol laundry capsules. 

  1. Lay the stain on a flat surface with a clean cloth underneath.

  2. Pour white vinegar onto the red wine to neutralize the stain. Leave for 5 minutes.

  3. Dab at the stain with a clean damp cloth to remove as much of the mark as possible.

  4. Put a smol laundry capsule in your washing machine and wash your clothes as normal.

5. washing up liquid and hydrogen peroxide. 

 ONLY use this final method on white clothing items. 

Hydrogen peroxide sounds a bit scary but it’s an eco-friendly compound of water with an extra oxygen molecule. It occurs naturally when sunlight acts on water, and it’s also produced by both plant and animal cells. It fully biodegrades.

However, it should be used properly. So make sure to wear rubber gloves and keep it away from children and pets. 

  1. Lay the stain on a flat surface with a clean cloth underneath.

  2. Mix 3 parts hydrogen peroxide with 1 part washing up liquid in a bowl. 

  3. Test the mix on a discreet part of your white item. 

  4. If there is no colour reaction, apply the mix to the stain. 

  5. Leave for 30 minutes then rinse thoroughly with cold water.

  6. Wash your clothes as normal in your washing machine.

don’t get salty. 

One final piece of advice when battling those red wine stains is NOT to use table salt. 

It’s a really common misconception that salt can help to remove red wine stains, but this is a myth. Salt will set the stain permanently. The same is true for coffee, tea and cola stains. Don’t go there!



Customers can order Stain Gel on the smol shop now, or if you're new to smol - try out our home bundle here!

SMOL STAIN GEL

← Older Post Newer Post →