Picture this: You’re enjoying a lovely evening, sipping a glass of red wine when disaster strikes. One clumsy move (or an overenthusiastic hand gesture), and suddenly, your favourite outfit is stained red. First instinct? Rubbing the stain in panic. But please don’t do that. Rubbing spreads the stain and makes it much worse. Red wine stains may be notorious, but they’re not invincible. So, here’s how to remove red wine stains from your clothes.  And always remember – the longer the stain sits, the harder it is to remove. If you can, tackle it immediately!

1. The salt trick

Salt is a lifesaver for fresh red wine spills.

How to do it:

Cover the stain with a generous amount of salt. Let it sit and absorb the wine for about 10–15 minutes. Now, lightly brush off the salt and rinse with cold water. This trick works best if you act fast, but it won’t work miracles on a dry stain.

2. White wine to the rescue (yes, really)

This seems like a myth, but it actually works. White wine neutralises red wine, making it easier to lift.

How to do it:

Pour a small amount of white wine over the stain. Blot with a clean cloth and rinse with cold water. White wine will not completely remove the stain but it dilutes it. So, follow up with a stain remover or laundry detergent.

3. Baking soda and vinegar

If you’re wondering how to remove dried red wine stains from clothes, try baking soda.

How to do it:

Make a paste using baking soda and water (three parts soda, one part water). Apply it to the stain and let it dry. Brush the paste off lightly and rinse with cold water. If the stain lingers, apply white vinegar and let it bubble up before rinsing again.

4. Washing-up liquid and hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach, so this method is best for white or very light-coloured clothes.

How to do it:

Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and washing-up liquid. Dab the mixture onto the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water and wash as usual.

5. Good old laundry stain removers

If you’ve got a favourite stain remover spray or stick, now is the time to use it. Apply it before throwing the garment into the washing machine.

Pro tip: Wash the item in cold water first. If the stain is still visible, don’t put it in the dryer. Heat can set the stain permanently.

6. When all else fails…

If the above-mentioned methods don’t work, turn to milk or shaving foam. Soaking the stain in milk for an hour can lift it out. Just make sure the milk is not hot.

Shaving foam works like a pre-wash treatment. Apply, let it sit, and rinse after a few minutes.

What NOT to do to remove red wine stains from clothes:

Don’t use hot water immediately – it can set the stain permanently.

If you’re prone to spills (no judgement), consider treating your light-coloured clothes with a fabric protector spray. And next time you pour yourself a glass of red wine, maybe keep a napkin handy – just in case.

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