It's a fact of life that wine stains happen — even more so when it comes to sweet dessert wines. Fortunately, if you act quickly, most dessert wine stains are easily removable.
Updated 14 Feb 2023
By Nishat Asif
Before you start the cleaning process, first determine the type of fabric or surface you'll be dealing with. Different materials require different cleaning methods. Fabric such as cotton, polyester, and linen can usually be treated in a washing machine, while silk or wool may need to be hand-washed.
Immediately after you notice a stain, use a soft cloth or paper towel to blot the affected area. Don't rub or scrub the fabric or else you risk spreading the stain. Keep blotting until no more liquid is absorbed on the cloth or paper towel.
Mix one teaspoon of a regular laundry detergent with two cups of warm water and use a clean cloth to dab the solution onto the stain, then let it sit for about five minutes. This will help loosen up the wine particles before washing.
Using cold water, rinse the material from the backside to push stain away from the material's surface. Then, turn the material over and rinse the front side to remove any remaining detergent and wine residue.
If the material can be machine-washed, add a scoop of laundry detergent to the wash and set the temperature to "cold." Let the material soak for at least 15 minutes before running a full cycle.
Make an enzyme solution by mixing one tablespoon of enzyme detergent and one cup of warm water. Make sure the material is completely immersed in solution and let it soak for up to eight hours. Then, launder on gentle cycle.
If you have a stubborn stain that won't budge, make a vinegar solution by mixing one part white vinegar and one part water. Dip a clean cloth in the solution and dab it onto the stain until it begins to fade.
Once you're finished laundering the material, take a look to make sure all of the wine stains have been removed. If you still see some lingering spots, repeat Steps 1-6 and the stain should come out.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully remove any dessert wine stains from your clothing or tablecloths. Remember to always treat the affected area as quickly as possible and don't rub or scrub fabric. And if all else fails, don't hesitate to consult a professional dry cleaner.
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