I'm a cleaning expert – my £3.75 trick to get rid of dreaded festive red wine stains
12/23/2024 04:47 AM
WITH Christmas now just days away, the festive season is in full swing with nights out, fun parties and cosy gatherings all marked in the calendar.
But with a good night out comes the inevitable annoying spills – and there’s nothing we dread more than a red wine stain.
Whether it's a crisp white tablecloth, your cherished sofa, or a favourite Christmas outfit, accidents happen.
Especially if you’re having family and friends over for the big day – it’s too easy to knock over a glass or get a little carried away with an enthusiastic "cheers!”.
Luckily, cleaning experts have shared their handy hacks to remove red wine stains effortlessly so a spill doesn’t put a damper on our festive spirits.
Professionals at method have revealed how we can get rid of stains left by the bright red liquid with just a £3.75 product in no time.
Firstly, take deep breaths
It’s easy to go into panic mode when we see that red wine has been spilt, but the experts say we shouldn’t immediately start scrubbing like crazy to get rid of it.
They said: “Red wine's bold colour comes from chromogens (the same stain-causing compounds in coffee and tea), so it tends to be immediately noticeable – but don't panic!
“It's tempting to start scrubbing like mad the moment red wine hits your carpet or sofa but resist the urge, as it can make the stain worse by spreading it or even pushing it deeper into the fabric.
“Stay calm, grab a clean, dry cloth, and gently dab to lift the wine.
“Too much pressure, especially on carpets or furniture, just presses the wine further in.
“So, remember – gentle dabbing is your new best friend!”
Secret ingredient to the rescue
You might not realise it, but salk can be key to getting rid of a red wine stain, according to experts.
They explain: “Ideally, you should tackle the stain right away, but if that's not an option, don't worry – your kitchen cupboard has a secret weapon: salt!
“First, sprinkle a generous layer over the stain.
“The salt works by soaking up moisture, helping to stop the dreaded stain from setting.
“Let it sit for 5-10 mins (a perfect excuse to top up your glass while you wait!).
“When it's time to handle the stain, grab some bicarbonate of soda and pour a little onto the spot. Then, gently blot away.
“The carbonation helps lift the wine from the fabric's fibres, making clean-up much more effective.
“This trick buys you some time but remember: the sooner you deal with a wine spill, the better your chances of saving your fabric!”
For washable fabrics
When it comes to getting red wine stains out of your favourite outfits, method has you covered.
They said their bottle of concentrated laundry detergent in peony blush is perfect for getting those pesky marks out.
The experts say: “Spilled red wine on your favourite top? No worries, all you need is a little TLC.
“Start by filling a basin with lukewarm water and a capful of method concentrated laundry detergent in peony blush.
“Gently swish the fabric around to let the solution get to work. Not only will it tackle those stubborn red wine stains, but it'll also leave your clothes smelling like a fresh bouquet.
“Let it soak for at least an hour—or overnight if the stain is being extra stubborn. The cool water combined with the detergent loosens the wine from the fabric's fibres, giving you a head start on stain removal.
“When you're ready, toss the item straight into your washing machine. Add a little more of your trusty detergent and select a gentle cycle.
“It's best to stick with cold water for this first wash to make sure the stain doesn’t set. Once it's gone, you can switch to warm water for a final clean.“
My stain-removing hero
IF you've had a mattress for longer than a few years, then it's likely that it's already covered in several stains.
And it’s tempting to ignore them – especially when we already have so much on our plates and one hundred other things to do.
One cleaning expert has revealed that one product actually works wonders to remove stains with little effort.
Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap, explained that shaving foam is the secret cleaning “hero” that is hiding in the cabinet.
All you need to do is apply a generous amount of shaving cream to the stained area and then massage it into the fabric with a soft brush, or even a hand.
Let it sit for an hour and then blot away the shaving cream with a soft, slightly damp, colourless cloth.
Or if you try using shaving foam to remove staining from an item or piece of clothing, then just pop it into the washing machine.
For furniture and carpets
Arguably, the most spillages of red wine happen on our sofas, furniture and carpets.
But a £3.75 buy can easily get rid of those stains with little to no effort at all.
Method’s antibacterial spray in wild rhubarb lifts the marks with ease and doesn’t break the bank account.
It can be picked up in supermarkets across Scotland, including Waitrose, Tesco, and Sainsbury's, or online at Amazon, Ocado, and methodShop.
The experts say: “As soon as you spot the spill, grab some clean paper towels or a lint-free cloth and gently blot (don't rub!) to soak up as much of the liquid as possible.
“This will help prevent the wine from seeping further into the fibers. Use a gentle cleaning spray like method's antibacterial spray in wild rhubarb.
“Spray the affected area lightly, let it sit for 5 minutes, and then blot again with a clean, absorbent cloth to lift the stain. Rinse away any residue by dabbing with a damp cloth.
“If you have the time, try a little neat trick: pour a small amount of sparkling water over the stain and blot with white paper towels or a clean, lint-free cloth.
“Sparkling water helps loosen the stain, making it easier to lift.
“Pro tip: Avoid using coloured napkins or dyed cloths as their colour could transfer to the fabric.
“There you have it. No need to let a little spill ruin your festive vibes!
“With these simple tricks, you can clean up those red wine disasters in no time and get back to celebrating the season stain-free. Cheers to that!”
