How to Get Red Wine Out of Carpet in 5 Easy Steps

Spill your merlot on your carpet? Follow our red wine stain removal steps to learn how to get it out of synthetic carpet.

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It happens to the best of us: a wine stain on the carpet — the horror! The good news is we’re here to help get it out. The bad news is you probably will have to bring in a professional carpet cleaner to get your carpet looking good as new (especially if it’s a wool carpet). But there are a few things you can do now to increase the chances of eventual success.

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What you need

Steps to remove red wine from synthetic carpet

  1. Blot the stain

    Using a clean white towel, blot as much of the wine as possible to absorb the excess liquid.

  2. Apply club soda to stain

    Once no more wine absorbs onto the towel, pour a little club soda onto the stain to lighten it.

  3. Blot again

    Blot up the soda/wine mixture within a few minutes of putting the club soda on; use another clean white towel if you need to.

  4. Apply Clorox® Urine Remover

    Spray directly onto stain until completely covered.

  5. Blot (again)

    Blot with a clean damp cloth to rinse.

If you have one, you can also use a steam cleaner to treat the stain (follow the directions on product). Be sure to only keep the cleaner on the carpet for whatever time the manufacturer recommends, and then vacuum the treated spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get wine stains out of wool carpet?

Wool carpet should only be treated by professionals. The wool material is more absorbent than synthetic fibers and is more likely to hold onto the stain. And as wool tends to be more expensive, it’s best to let the professionals do the job so that you can retain its value with minimum damage.

What if I don’t know what my carpet is made of?

In this case, we recommend playing it safe by calling the professionals. They’ll be able to assess the situation and treat it accordingly.

What if the stain is old?

We recommend still trying the steps above; Clorox® Urine Remover is a powerful stain remover! But the longer you wait, the more likely you’ll need a professional.