Accidents happen, but theres one kind of spill that induces especially deep groans. Red wine is notoriously difficult to get out of fabric and carpet. There are plenty of at-home remedies and special products that are supposed to banish the deep grape color for good.
We tested two red wine stain removers, Wine Away and Chateau Spill Red Wine Stain Remover, alongside the popular Dawn Powerwash to see if you need a special product just for these stains. After leaving red wine on polyester and wool carpet samples and flannel, cotton, and wool fabric swatches for 24 hours, we treated them with the three products. We also tried a salt-and-water paste, but it left significant amounts of red with dried stains.
While both the Chateau Spill and Wine Away performed decently, we found that the Dawn Powerwash did just as well and in some cases better. It also costs less than the other two cleaners. Advertisement
We didn’t waste time, quickly got to work, the stains LITERALLY DISAPPEARED as we were spraying. I know it sounds unbelievable but it is true. I often buy this as a gift for people (especially those who think white wine will remove red wine stains) because it works and most have never heard of this product.
How do wine stain removers work?
To clean a red wine stain, you need a substance that will break down the dye-causing agents. While hydrogen peroxide works well because its a bleaching agent, it might affect the color of the fabric itself.
Wine Aways active ingredient is limonene, a solvent extracted from the essential oils in citrus peels. Hate Stains Co., the company behind Chateau Spill, doesnt specify its active ingredient, but the formula contains ethoxylated alcohol C12-C15 (a surfactant), glycerin (a compound used in soap and lotion), sodium sulfite (an antioxidant and preservative), ethanol (an alcohol and solvent), and citric acid (a pH adjuster).
Dawn Powerwash has a similar ingredient list as Dawn Platinum dish soap, but it also contains a few other surfactants or cleaning agents, including ethanolamine, hexyl ethoxylate, and lauryl glucoside. The spray bottle also means you dont have to add water to get it to foam. Advertisement
Wine removers on wool: Dawn didn’t discolor the fabric as much
For wool fabric, Dawn Powerwash was the best option we tested. It left a bit of red but didnt discolor the fabric nearly as much as the wine removers. There was still some yellowing, however.
Both the wine removers discolored the fabric, but the Chateau Spill changed the color more dramatically, from a cream to yellow.
On the website, Wine Away warns that using the product on wool or silk will leave a water ring. Though the discoloration wasnt as prominent, the stain was still visible. Advertisement
Wine Away…Does it work? (Product Review)
FAQ
What does Wine Away remove?
What’s the best red wine stain remover?
What is the number 1 stain remover?
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How do you use wine away?
Let’s just say it was love at first spritz. Turns out, using Wine Away is pretty easy. Simply saturate the spill with the formula, let it sit for five minutes, and blot with a towel. That’s it. The formula is free of harsh bleach and phosphates, plus it also has a nice citrus scent.
Is wine good for health?
Wine has several health benefits: 1. Red wine grapes are higher in antioxidants than white grape varieties, drinking red wine may increase your blood antioxidant levels to a greater extent than drinking white. 2. Wine contains compounds that have anti inflammatory properties. 3. An occasional glass of wine may reduce the risk of depression. 4. Studies have found that drinking moderate amounts of wine as part of a healthy diet may increase longevity. 5. Red wine may promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which may improve metabolic syndrome markers in people with obesity.
Is wine away a good gift?
Wine Away is a great gift for the wine lover on your holiday shopping list, or as an add-on to a gift of wine. Wine Away is also a wonderful hostess gift, and it also makes a fantastic stocking stuffer — especially the small 2-ounce bottle.
Does wine away lighten the color of wine?
Wine Away lightened the color of the wine a bit, but not enough to make it worthwhile. The stain remained clearly visible, just pinkish instead of reddish, even after multiple treatments. Both Amazing Whip-It and Gonzo Wine Out seemed to do more harm than good.