Uh oh. You were enjoying a nice glass of red wine while showing off your cool new custom rug to friends. But then someone bumped the table and now there’s a big splotch of merlot bleeding into the fibers.
What do you do?!
First, take a deep breath. Yes, red wine stains can be tricky. But you CAN rescue your custom rug.
In this complete guide, as a professional custom rugs manufacturer, I will share how to safely remove fresh and dried red wine from custom wool, silk, cotton, and other rugs (without ruining them) using household items.
You’ll also discover pro tips to:
- Lift stains from delicates like hand-knotted silk rugs
- Clean vintage carpets without causing wear or tear
- Eliminate odors left behind after cleaning
- And more!
So grab some club soda and let’s get that precious rug looking good as new.
How to Remove Red Wine from Custom Rugs
Step 1: Act Fast!
With any stain, acting quickly is crucial. But this especially applies to red wine stains on custom rugs.
The vibrant anthocyanins that give red wine its rich color also allow it to penetrate deep into fibers. The longer fresh wine sits, the tougher it becomes to extract.
So at the first sign of a spill, spring into action with these steps:
Blot the Wet Area
Immediately soak up excess wine pooling on the rug’s surface using a clean white cloth or paper towels.
Gently blot to lift the wine; scrubbing can push it deeper into the fibers. Focus blotting efforts on the spill’s outer edges first to keep it from spreading.
Rinse the Stained Fibers
Once you’ve absorbed all the excess liquid possible, flush the stained area to dilute remaining wine.
If your custom rug is small enough, hold it upright under cold running water. For larger rugs, spritz the stain with cold water using a spray bottle.
Avoid hot water, as heat can permanently set some stains.
For hand-woven silk rugs that shouldn’t get wet, skip straight to the next steps (you’ll add moisture later).
Sprinkle Salt or Baking Soda
Now comes the stain fighter. For fresh wine spills on custom rugs, cover the affected area with ordinary table salt or baking soda.
These absorptive powders will draw wine residue out of the fibers. Let sit for 8-10 minutes before vacuuming up.
Repeat the rinse and sprinkle method until no more stain transfers to a blotting cloth.
If needed, you can let salt or baking soda sit overnight before removing. But avoid letting moisture linger on any custom rug too long (which can yellow fibers and nurture mold).
Step 2: Break Out Clever DIY Cleaners
Mild acidity and bubbles — who knew simple kitchen staples contain such stain-fighting magic?
Whip up one of these homemade solutions to safely lift stubborn remnants of red wine out of custom wool, cotton, silk oriental, or antique rugs after addressing the initial spill (even if it has dried):
Frothy Vinegar Solution
The gentle acid in white vinegar cuts through stubborn red wine stains without damaging fibers.
Plus, it removes funky vino odors leftover after cleaning.
Mix:
- 1⁄2 cup white vinegar
- 2 cups warm water
- 1⁄4 teaspoon mild, clear, odorless dish soap
Use a sponge to gently work the foamy solution into the rug’s stain from edges inward. Avoid scrubbing, which can damage delicate fibers.
After 5-10 minutes, blot the area with clean towels until no more stain transfers. Rinse with cold water and blot again before air drying.
Sweet Baking Soda Paste
Sodium bicarbonate transforms into a mighty stain eraser when mixed with water into a spreadable paste.
The abrasive texture of baking soda crystals helps lift stains by breaking adhesive bonds, so pigments release from fibers.
To avoid over-wetting delicate custom rugs, start with just enough cold water to form a thick paste. Add more water as needed if drying out.
Use a sponge to gently spread paste over the stained area. Let sit 10-15 minutes so soda can work its magic before blotting and rinsing clean.
Odor-Eliminating Club Soda
Plain seltzer water provides gentle stain-fighting bubbles without dye risks or pungent smells.
The mineral salts in club soda help lift some stubborn stains. But its real secret power lies in neutralizing and deodorizing.
Pour a liberal amount over the affected area of your custom rug. Let sit a full 24 hours for maximum lifting and odor elimination.
Use white towels to blot damp spots and repeat applications until the stain completely disappears.
Pro Tip: Add a splash of that magical vinegar solution for extra deodorizing kick.
Step 3: Stain-Lifting Rug Rescue Solutions
It’s time to pull out the big guns if that pesky wine stain persists. The natural cleaning products below contain enzymes that digest and dissolve stains over several hours or days:
White Wine
I know it sounds crazy. But dousing red wine stained custom rugs with white wine actually helps remove it!
The enzymes naturally found in wine break stains down over time. And pigments from white wine counteract darker colors.
Dab white wine onto the stained area of your custom rug using a clean cloth. Avoid scrubbing it in (which can damage fibers).
Let the carpet rescue solution sit several hours so enzymes can feast on the stain. Then blot area with more white towels to lift stains until fabric looks clear.
This tactic works well for stubborn stains on wool tribal carpets, vintage runners, and delicates like hand-knotted silk orientals.
One thing to note: white wine may initially create a giant pink splotch while working its magical enzymes. This temporary color will lift out with repeated blotting.
Hydrogen Peroxide & Vinegar
Ferocious cleaners in their own right, hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar are an unstoppable dynamic duo.
Peroxide’s mild bleach properties help lift stains by chemically altering wine’s vibrant anthocyanin pigments so they release from fibers.
Use a 3% over-the-counter concentration like you clean wounds with. Stronger solutions may damage custom rug fabrics.
Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar in a bowl. Dip a clean white cloth into the solution. Dab onto the stained area of your vintage one-of-a-kind carpet.
Check after a few minutes. Re-dip cloth and repeat as needed until the stain disappears.
Rinse with cold water and allow rug to air dry once satisfied with results.
Caution: Avoid combining peroxide and vinegar solutions directly on custom rugs, as chemical reactions may damage fibers.
Step 4: Call in Professional Cleaners
Some extra stubborn or dried-in red wine stains may require professional intervention. Area rug cleaning services have access to heavy duty stain removers you can’t buy over-the-counter.
Red Wine Stains
When considering commercial stain cleaning options, first decide whether to have it done in home or ship your custom carpet out.
In-home pros use specialized equipment sized for larger custom rugs. This avoids transportation risks of folding, bending, and fraying irreplaceable vintage fabrics.
However, off-site industrial cleaning allows for complete immersion without moving heavy one-of-a-kind carpets. Hoses, wands, and transportable gear offer more treatment flexibility for badly stained delicates.
Discuss fiber content, construction method, age, and extent of staining with potential rug cleaning companies. Select services using solutions safe for your custom floor covering’s fabric and color dyes.
Step 5: Guard Against Future Stains
An ounce of protection equals a pound of stain cure (or however that saying goes). Guard precious custom wool, silk, cotton, antique, tribal, or hand-knotted rugs from future wine mishaps using these preventive measures:
Apply Stain Repellant Treatments
Topical shielding formulas create an invisible barrier preventing stains from setting into custom rug fabrics. Scotchguard and Folex make some of the most heavy duty options for guarding handmade wool or silk oriental carpets.
Before applying, vacuum both sides of rug thoroughly. Then use a brush or sprayer to evenly coat all surfaces with repellant. Let fully dry 24-48 hours before walking on treated custom floor covering.
Reapply protective coating once a year or after professional cleaning to replace worn layers. Avoid using soap-based formulas, which can strip guarding agents off custom rug fibers.
Keep Drinks Away From Rugs
Obvious but worth stating advice: avoid eating or drinking on or near irreplaceable custom carpets altogether!
It takes split seconds for a spill to happen. So keep beverages, especially red wine, as far from expensive custom oriental and vintage rugs humanly possible.
Designate a no-drink zone 3-5 feet around all sides of prized carpets. Use tables and countertops for setting glasses. Or install glass holders that attach to furniture edges and walls.
Handle Spills ASAP
Even with repellants, spills happen. Everyone knows you run higher risks of permanent damage and failed stain removal the longer wine sits.
So don’t let panic over a spill paralyze you! Immediately blot wet spots per steps outlined earlier. Time is of the essence for rescuing precious custom rugs from red wine disasters.
DIY Like a Boss
As you can see, removing red wine from custom rugs is very doable using everyday household cleaners and pantry staples on hand.
A splash of skilled technique plus some patience gives new life to stained wool tribal carpets, hand-knotted silk orientals, and worn vintage collectibles.
So tackle that wine stain boss-style, then relax with your glass held nowhere near the custom goods!