How To Easily Rid Traditional Clothing of Stubborn Wine Stains
Wine stains are an unfortunate reality for anyone who has ever enjoyed a glass of their favorite vintage. But fear not -- these stubborn spots aren’t necessarily the end of the road for your traditional clothing items. Instead, there are steps you can take to effectively and safely remove stains from fabrics like wool, cotton, and silk.
Updated 14 Feb 2023
By Luke Smith
What You'll Need
- White vinegar
- Cold water
- Unscented laundry detergent
- Bowl
- Soft bristle brush
- Towel
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse the stained area with cold water. Do not use warm or hot water, as this may cause the stain to set in the fabric.
- Create a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and cold water in the bowl. Dip a soft brush into the solution and gently work the mixture into the stained area. Be sure to only scrub in a circular motion so as not to damage or fray fabric.
- Once the stained area has been saturated in the vinegar/water mixture, blot the area with a towel to remove any excess moisture.
- Moisten a cloth with cold water and apply a small amount of unscented laundry detergent to it. Gently rub the detergent onto area and leave to sit for 10 - 15 minutes.
- Rinse the detergent off the fabric using cold water. Again, avoid using warm or hot water.
- Repeat steps 1 - 5 until stain is removed. Note that some stains can be stubborn and may require several attempts before they vanish.
Tips
- Always test a cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before applying it over the entire stained area.
- Ensure the fabric is thoroughly rinsed at each stage of the cleaning process to avoid detergent residue.
- If the stain is still present after cleaning, consider taking the item to a professional dry cleaner.