Consuming a glass of organic additive-free red wine, in moderation, can offer benefits. It’s rich in antioxidants, which are linked to heart health, have anti-aging effects, and help reduce oxidative stress in the body.[1]

Red wine is also rich in tannins and pigments that, when spilled on carpet, are notoriously tough to get out.

But don’t stress. In this article, we’re sharing natural, effective, and safe methods to remove red wine stains.

A few things to note before you get started:

• Always test your carpet in an inconspicuous area before treating red wine stains.
  
• Act quickly. The sooner you treat the stain, the better your success rate will be.
  
• Never rub or agitate the stain, always dab. Dabbing, or blotting, prevents the stain from driving deeper into the carpet’s fibers.
  
• Use cold water. Hot water can set red wine stains into the carpet (yikes!).

Now it’s time to get to work! Here’s how to remove red wine from carpet with four home remedies.

Remedy 1: Club Soda 

Club soda is known for its stain-removal properties, working well on carpets. It is generally safe to use on synthetic, wool, and most natural fiber carpets.

The key, however, is to act quickly.

What You’ll Need:

• A cloth
  
• Club soda

How to remove red wine from carpet using club soda:

1. Dab excess red wine with a clean, dry cloth.
   
2. Pour club soda directly onto the stain and lightly blot.
   
3. If necessary, pour more club soda onto the stain, blotting until the red wine lifts*.

*Note: If the stain remains after several attempts, pour a small amount of club soda on the red wine, blot, and leave overnight. Repeat the process above until the stain lifts.

Remedy 2: Branch Basics

Branch Basics’ all-in-one cleaning system is a staple among many health- and toxin-conscious consumers. 

Just one Concentrate can tackle nearly any cleaning or laundry job in the home, including red wine stains on wool or synthetic carpets.

For most carpet stains, including red wine, we recommend using the All-Purpose dilution.

Branch Basics is gentle enough to be used on most types of carpets, but always test an inconspicuous area first for colorfastness.

What You’ll Need:

• A cloth
  
• Branch Basics All-Purpose
  
• Oxygen Boost - works best on white or beige carpet

How to remove red wine from carpet using Branch Basics:

1. Dab excess red wine and spray the stain with All-Purpose.
   
2. Lightly scrub with a microfiber cloth until the stain lifts. Reapply All-Purpose as needed.
   
3. If the stain remains, use Oxygen Boost* and continue to lightly scrub with a damp cloth until the stain lifts.
   
4. Vacuum any excess.

*Note: Do not let Oxygen Boost sit and dry on colored carpets, as it may lighten the material. For more information, see our article on How to Use Branch Basics Oxygen Boost [Complete Guide].

Spill red wine on your clothes, too? No worries! Just follow our guide on How to Clean Wine Stains with Branch Basics.

Remedy 3: Salt 

As simple as it may seem, plain old table or kosher salt is a powerful red wine stain remover for carpets. 

Applied to a fresh stain, the salt works to absorb and lighten the red wine, making it easy to vacuum and wipe away.

What You’ll Need:

• A cloth
  
• Table or kosher salt
  
• Vacuum

How to remove red wine from carpet using salt*:

1. Dab excess red wine with a clean, dry cloth and remove any debris.
   
2. Completely cover the stain with salt.
   
3. Let sit for at least 10-15 minutes to absorb the red wine.
   
4. Gently scrub to ensure the stain is loosened and removed. If not, repeat the process until the stain lifts.
   
5. Vacuum any excess salt and wipe clean with a damp cloth.

*Note: Salt should not be used on delicate rugs or wool carpets.

Remedy 4: Hydrogen Peroxide 

Hydrogen peroxide* is an excellent, non-toxic stain remover every home should stock up on.

When applied to a red wine stain, hydrogen peroxide removes it through a chemical process called oxidation. 

This process reacts with the red pigments in the wine, breaking it down, making it easier to lift via blotting.

3% hydrogen peroxide paired with a natural dish soap can be used directly on light-colored carpets to remove red wine stains. It can also be used on colored carpets, but due to the peroxide’s bleaching effect, we recommend doing a patch test first to avoid fading.

What You’ll Need:

• A cloth
  
• Hydrogen peroxide
  
• Branch Basics Concentrate or your favorite natural and human-safe dish soap
  
• A bowl

How to remove red wine from carpet using hydrogen peroxide:

1. Dab excess red wine with a clean, dry cloth.
   
2. Mix two-parts hydrogen peroxide, one-part Branch Basics Concentrate in a bowl.
   
3. Apply the solution to the red wine stain using a damp microfiber cloth. Blot, then let sit for about 30 minutes.
   
4. Blot with a damp cloth until the stain lifts.
   
5. Repeat as needed.

*Note: Hydrogen peroxide is not recommended for use on wool.

Learn more about hydrogen peroxide and its many uses around the home in How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide As a Safer Alternative for Cleaning, Disinfecting, and More. 

Tips For Addressing Red Wine Stains

Red wine spills can be stressful, but removing them shouldn’t be.

With the right technique and natural stain-removing products, red wine stains can be lifted well before they set in.

Here are a few tips to help you effectively tackle red wine stains.

Act Quick

Fresh stains are much easier to remove than those that have had time to set-in.

For fresh red wine stains, blot up any excess liquid with a clean white cloth or paper towel, then proceed with your chosen home remedy.

Blot, Don’t Scrub

Avoid excessive scrubbing, as it can spread the stain and damage the carpet’s fibers.

Blotting, on the other hand, combined with a natural stain remover, gently lifts the red wine out of the carpet. This helps contain the stain and prevents it from spreading or setting.

Use Cold Water

Always start with cold water, as it is least likely to set a red wine stain. You can always increase the temperature if needed, but avoid hot water. It can set the stain, making it much harder to remove.

Healthier Homes Start With Branch Basics 

To that end, we raise a full glass – without spilling it, of course! – to knowing how to remove red wine from carpet using home remedies and human-safe products.

At Branch Basics, we’re committed to helping you create a healthier home with simple, effective, and safe cleaning and stain-removing products.

If you’re interested in trying Branch Basics’ all-in-one cleaning system for stain removal, laundry, cleaning, and more, we recommend checking out our Branch Basics Premium Starter Kits.

Available in refillable plastic or glass bottles, our kits have everything you need to clean your entire home, wash your laundry, and remove any type of stain on carpets and clothing. Each kit includes our Concentrate, a bag of Oxygen Boost, and refillable bottles to make All-Purpose, Bathroom, Laundry, Streak Free, and Foaming Wash.

We also offer several other safe and effective laundry products to supercharge your human-safe, harmful chemical-free laundry room. Check out our new and powerful Laundry Detergent powder (safe for the most sensitive of skin), natural Wool Dryer Balls (non-allergenic, fragrance- and dye-free), and Natural Scrub Brush (great for lifting stains out of carpets and clothing).

For more natural stain removal tips, check out:

• How to Get Stains Out of Everything With Branch Basics [Complete Guide]
  
• The Top 7+ Natural & Reliable Laundry Stain Removers
  
• How to Get Chocolate Out of Clothes Naturally

And download a free copy of our User Guide for even more human-safe, natural and effective cleaning and stain removal advice

Sources:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10146095/#sec5-nutrients-15-01921