Project Guide

How to Get Red Wine Out of Carpet


Difficulty: BeginnerTime: Under 2 Hours Print

When red wine spills on carpet, what are you to do? Some think that red wine will completely ruin a carpet, but that’s not always the case. If you act quickly, think fast and spring into action, you can save your carpet. Read on to discover tips and tricks on how to get red wine out of carpet.

1. Take Action

A glass of wine accidentally spills onto a carpet.

  • As soon as the wine hits the carpet, act fast. The sooner you get to the stain, the easier it will be to get the stain out. Remember to blot, not rub.
  • Add water to the stained area, then blot again.
  • Once you’ve cleaned up most of the spilled wine and slowed the seepage, it’s time to remove the stain entirely.

2. Club Soda

Using a cloth to gently dab at the spilled wine.

  • One option to remove red wine from your carpet is by using regular club soda.
  • Remember to first blot the stain with a lean, dry cloth. Next, pour club soda onto stain. Blot again.
  • Keep repeating this process of pouring and blotting until the stain is gone.

3. Dish Soap & White Vinegar

A person using homemade ingredients like lemons.

  • Again, start by blotting the stain with a rag, cloth or paper towel.
  • Next, prepare your dish soap and white vinegar solution.
  • Add a tablespoon of dishwashing soap and a tablespoon of white vinegar to two cups of water. Stir the mixture together.
  • Pour a small amount of the mixture on the stain. Blot frequently with a cloth until the stain is gone.

4. Dish Soap & Hydrogen Peroxide

Person using a spray cleaner to remove a stain.

  • Blot the stain with a clean, dry cloth.
  • Mix two parts hydrogen peroxide and one part dishwashing soap.
  • Apply the solution to your carpet stain. Blot and repeat until the stain is gone.
  • You can also try hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Pour hydrogen peroxide on the stain and sprinkle in a hefty amount of baking soda. Make sure the stain is fully covered. Let the solution sit for 2 to 3 minutes before rinsing with water.

Tip: Before using this method, test it on a piece of cloth. As hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach, you need to make sure it won’t damage your carpet.

5. Baking Soda

Person using baking soda on carpet.

  • Using a clean, dry cloth, blot the stain first.
  • Pour cold water on stained area, and blot again.
  • Mix one part water and three parts baking soda. Apply this mixture to the stain.
  • Wait for the mixture to dry on the stain and then vacuum.

6. Salt

Salt spilling out of its container.

  • If the stain has already dried, no need to panic! This method works for dried stains as well.
  • Apply a small amount of water to get the dry stain wet. Add a liberal amount of salt to the stain. Do not scrub or blot the salt.
  • Leave overnight and return in the morning. The salt should be crystalized and have a pinkish hue.
  • Vacuum up the crystalized salt.

7. Stain Removal Products

Person using cleaners to remove a stain.

  • If home remedies don’t do the trick, there are always stain removal and cleaning products.
  • There are several carpet cleaning product options sold at The Home Depot. Determine what one is best for your situation and follow the directions on the product.

8. Carpet Cleaners

Person using a carpet cleaning vacuum on a stain.

  • If natural remedies, cleaning products and stain removers don’t do the job, look into something more heavy duty. Rent or buy carpet cleaners at your local Home Depot. Follow the directions of use on the products.
  • Also look into stain-resistant, LifeProof carpeting, which makes cleaning up wine spills a breeze.

If you encounter a pesky stain and need some supplies, The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them.