- Use a water sprayer to flush the wine out of the fabric, if possible. Cool or cold water will not allow the stain to set while removing the wine from the fabric. This will prevent it from soaking further into the garment, carpet or sofa. The longer the wine sits, the more difficult it will be to remove the stain. If you are unable to clean the stain immediately on the garment, at least get as much of the wine out with cold water.
- Since it is an acid, white vinegar can break apart the stain. Use a sponge dipped in a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water, then dab at the stain. If this garment is machine washable, soaking the cotton stain will remove the wine. When done immediately, vinegar will remove 100 percent of the stain. Remember to dab the garment. Follow the vinegar cleaning with the normal cleaning instruction for the fabric.
For tougher, set-in stains, mix a cup of vinegar with a tablespoon of borax. This will bubble as it breaks up the stain. If you do not have these items on hand, dab the stain with dishwashing liquid then use a hydrogen peroxide-soaked towel to dab the dishwashing liquid away. - Don't use anything with gasoline or turpentine on stains. This will harm the fabric. Glass cleaners such as Windex will remove the wine but leave a blue residue where you spotted the stain out. Never use hot water when cleaning red wine as this will cause the stain to set and make it nearly impossible to remove. Other methods that are frequently recommended but have mixed reviews are pouring club soda or white wine over the stain.
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