Does White Wine Remove Red Wine Stains?

There are many cleaning hacks out there, with more and more emerging every day. Since the rise of TikTok, more cleaning hacks have gone viral than ever. This can make it difficult to determine which hacks really work and which ones don't.

A major cleaning hack that has been making the rounds recently is the use of white wine to get out red wine stains. So, does this trick really work, or are people wasting perfectly good wine trying to lift stains?

Below, cleaning expert Joyce French at HomeHow.co.uk explains what this trend is all about and whether it actually works. Take a look.

Will White Wine Eliminate a Red Wine Stain?

Unfortunately, the white wine hack is actually a myth. It may seem like it's working at first. When you place the white wine on the red wine, the stain will seem like it's lifting. However, all it is actually doing is diluting the stain rather than getting rid of it.

When you return to the stain after it's dried, you'll find it is still there. It may have just lightened a little in colour due to the white wine staining it. So, white wine is not the way to go if you want to remove a red wine stain.

However, white wine does contain an enzyme that helps to neutralise the stain and make it easier to remove. So, while it doesn't necessarily remove the stain, it could make it easier to lift if you don’t have anything else to hand for cleaning it.

So, all in all, while white wine can help to make the stain easier to remove, it doesn’t help in getting the entire stain up. You will need to complete a further cleaning method to get the entire stain up.

What Is The Best Method For Removing Red Wine Stains?

The best method for getting out red wine stains is with salt. Any type of salt will do. However, some people claim that kosher salt provides the best results. Salt is brilliant at absorbing the wine and lifting the red colour away.

Begin by blotting the affected area to get up as much of the liquid as possible. Avoid rubbing the stain, as this could cause it to spread. Once blotted, spread a good amount of salt over the stain and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes to absorb. If the stain is fairly large or stubborn, it would be best to leave the salt on it for several hours or overnight.

Once the time is up and you’re ready to remove the salt, give it a good rinse with some cold water. If the stain is still visible, repeat the above steps by gently blotting the affected area, applying the salt, and rinsing it away once an appropriate amount of time has passed.

How Do You Get a Red Wine Stain Out of Clothes?

The best method for getting a red wine stain out of clothing is with white vinegar and laundry detergent. As soon as you can, cover the stain with white vinegar. This will neutralise the red and purple pigments.

As soon as you’ve added the vinegar, rub some liquid laundry detergent on the stain. Allow this to sit for around 5 – 10 minutes. Then, put the item in the washing machine and wash it at a high temperature. This should lift the stain.

Final Thoughts

White wine is not the best option for getting out a red wine stain. All the white wine will do is lighten the stain without actually removing it. If you want to get a red wine stain out, the best method is with the use of salt. If you're removing a red wine stain from clothing, white vinegar and detergent is the best option.