How to Get Wine Stains Out of Clothes, Carpets, and Furniture

Posted By: Truly Free Home

Posted On: 2/13/2026

Why are Wine Stains so Hard to Get Out?

Red wine gets its color from natural pigments called anthocyanins, which are found in grape skins. These pigments bind quickly to fibers, especially natural fabrics like cotton, wool, and linen. The tannins in wine act almost like a dye, setting into the fabric the longer they sit.

That's why a fresh wine spill is dramatically easier to remove than one that's had time to dry and set. White wine and rosé are less visible than red wine, but they can still leave marks if left untreated, especially on lighter fabrics.

How to Get Wine Stains Out of Clothes

Check the care label first. Before you treat anything, make sure you know what fabric you're working with. Delicates like silk and dry-clean-only fabrics need gentler handling, and some materials can be damaged by stain treatments.

Blot immediately. Grab a clean cloth and gently blot the stain from the outside in to absorb as much wine as possible. Never rub a wine stain. Rubbing pushes the pigment deeper into the fibers and spreads the stain, making it more difficult to remove.

Pre-treat the stain. Saturate the stained area with a non-toxic stain remover that includes sodium percarbonate, an eco-friendly compound that effectively removes organic stains like wine.

For especially stubborn spots, try Truly Free Home OxyBoost, our non-toxic oxygen bleach stain remover that’s powered by sodium percarbonate. In a bucket or sink, add two scoops of OxyBoost per gallon of water. Soak the stained clothing for up to 24 hours, then rinse to check progress before tossing your stained item into the washing machine.

Wash in cold water. Hot water can set wine stains, so always wash stained fabric in cold water. Use a gentle, plant-powered laundry detergent to clean the garment along with a scoop of oxygen bleach.

Check before drying. This is an important step most people skip. If any trace of the stain remains after washing, do not put the item in the dryer. The heat will set whatever pigment is left and make it nearly impossible to remove. Re-treat and wash again until the wine stain is completely removed.

For more, read: Why You’re Supposed to Blot (and Not Rub) Stains

How to Get Wine Stains Out of Carpet and Rugs

Carpet fibers vary. Synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester tend to release stains more easily, while natural fibers like wool and cotton absorb pigment faster and hold onto it tighter. No matter which fiber you’re dealing with, when it comes to wine stains, speed is of the essence.

For fresh stains: Blot up as much wine as possible with a clean, dry cloth. Avoid pressing too hard—you want to lift the liquid, not push it into the carpet pad.

Once you've absorbed excess wine, apply oxygen bleach powder and water directly to the stain. Allow to sit for at least an hour before rinsing with water and blotting up excess product. Repeat as needed.

For set-in stains: Older wine stains need more time. Create a paste of oxygen bleach and water and generously apply to the stain. Let it sit for up to 24 hours before rinsing with water. For stains that have fully dried into the fibers, you may need two or three applications.

For extra stubborn carpet stains, make a paste by mixing a scoop of Truly Free Home OxyBoost, a non-toxic oxygen-powered bleach alternative, with a small amount of water. Apply the paste to the stained area, working it into the fibers. Once dry, vacuum or blot away the excess OxyBoost.

How to Get Wine Out of Upholstery and Couches

Upholstery is tricky because you can't just throw a couch cushion in the washing machine. Luckily, getting wine stains out of upholstery and carpets requires a similar approach. However, you want to be even more careful about over-saturating the fabric, especially on pieces with foam or down filling.

Blot first, always. Use a clean white cloth so you can see how much wine you're pulling out. Work from the outside of the stain inward to keep it from spreading.

Apply oxygen bleach. Apply an oxygen bleach paste to the stained area, allow the sodium percarbonate to work on the stain for up to 24 hours before rinsing with water.

For removable cushion covers, check the tag. If they're machine washable, pre-treat with a non-toxic laundry stain spray or Truly Free Home OxyBoost, and wash in cold water with a gentle laundry detergent.

For leather or specialty fabrics: Test any stain-removing product in a hidden spot first. Leather needs specific care, and some treated fabrics can react differently to cleaning solutions, even gentle ones.

What to Avoid When Removing Wine Stains

A simple misstep and you’ve accidentally made that wine stain permanent. Here are the most common stain-removing mistakes people make and how to avoid them.

Don't rub the stain. Always blot. Rubbing forces pigment deeper into fibers and damages the fabric surface.

Don't use hot water. Heat sets wine stains. Stick with cold water at every stage.

Don't put stained items in the dryer. If the stain isn't fully gone after washing, the dryer's heat will lock it in. Always air dry or re-check before applying heat.

Don't wait. The single biggest factor in removing wine stains is time. The sooner you blot and treat, the better your results will be.

Wine spills don't have to mean permanent damage. With the right approach and the right products, most wine stains come out completely without having to resort to harsh chemicals.