Does white wine remove red wine stains?

It helps by diluting the red wine and making it easier to blot out. Follow with salt and proper treatment.

Does salt really work on red wine?

Yes. Salt absorbs the wine from the fabric while it's still wet. Apply generously as soon as possible.

Blot, apply salt, rinse with cold water, then apply hydrogen peroxide directly. The peroxide bleaches the remaining wine pigment.

Yes. Dissolve OxiClean in warm water, soak the garment for 1-6 hours, then wash. It's very effective on both fresh and dried wine stains.

Stain Removal

Stain removal is all about speed and technique. Here's the proven method for tackling red wine stains effectively.

1
Blot immediately
Blot (never rub) the stain with a clean cloth to absorb as much wine as possible before it sets.
2
Apply salt
Cover the entire stain with a thick layer of table salt. The salt draws wine out of the fabric as it absorbs the moisture.
3
Rinse with cold water
After 5 minutes, brush off the salt and rinse with cold water from the back of the stain.
4
Apply peroxide and dish soap
Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Apply to the stain, let sit 30 minutes, then wash on cold.

TIPWhite wine neutralizes red wine stains by diluting and lifting the pigment. Pour it on before applying salt.
TIPClub soda's carbonation helps lift wine from fabric fibers. Use it as an immediate first response.
TIPAvoid using hot water at any point in the process -- heat sets red wine stains like a dye.

XRubbing the stain, which pushes the wine deeper into the fabric and spreads it wider.
XUsing hot water, which sets the tannins and anthocyanins in red wine, making the stain permanent.
XWaiting too long to treat the stain -- red wine becomes dramatically harder to remove after it dries.

Yes, but it's harder. Soak in OxiClean or apply hydrogen peroxide and dish soap mixture. Multiple treatments may be needed.