Who doesn’t love popping a bottle for a celebration? Birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, weddings – there are endless reasons to uncork some white wine or champagne.
But with everyone getting tipsy and mingling around, sometimes someone gets clumsy.
Now, we all know that red wine stains. But does white wine stain?
Yes, it does – although not as vividly as red wine. Still, you’ll have to act ASAP to remove white wine stains.
For clothing, rinse the fabric then spot-clean the area with laundry detergent.
For carpet, blot the excess moisture with a clean cloth then sprinkle baking soda on the spilled wine.
Afterwards, use a commercial carpet cleaner or a mixture of dish soap and water.
There’s no use crying over spilled wine (unless it was expensive). Grab a paper towel or cloth and start cleaning!
Does White Wine Stain? What About Champagne?
Both white wine and champagne stain! The stain isn’t immediately visible, unlike a red wine stain, but white wine and champagne will eventually oxidise. A champagne stain or white wine stain will show up on light-coloured fabrics and fibres as a discolouration.
Fortunately, wine doesn’t bleach darker colours, so it won’t appear on dark fabric or fibre. You’ll still need to clean the stain, though, since wine leaves a residue and odour after it dries.
Before Cleaning White Wine or Champagne Stains
Always check the care label of the item before you clean it. Certain fabrics and fibres may be dry-clean or commercial-clean only, so you can’t DIY the white wine spill.
Act as quickly as possible – wet stains are easier to deal with than dry ones.
Immediately blot the stained area with a clean white cloth or paper towel. (White bread will also work in a pinch!) The more moisture the cloth absorbs, the easier it will be to clean afterwards.
Test your chosen cleaning techniques on an inconspicuous area before cleaning. This will ensure you don’t damage the item.
How to Clean White Wine Stains from Clothing
For clothing made from washable fabrics, always start by flushing the stain with cool water. Hold the fabric upside down so that the water pushes the wine out of the affected area.
Remove a white wine stain with laundry detergent
Take a sponge and a small amount of laundry detergent. Gently work the detergent into the stain to remove the wine residue, then rinse it out.
Launder the garment using the hottest water setting recommended for the fabric.
If the wine stain remains – or if you can still smell wine on the clothing – soak the stained area in a mixture of oxygen bleach and plain water. Ensure the bleach is colour-safe for non-white fabric.
Put the clothing through another wash cycle before letting it dry.
Remove a white wine stain with club soda
If you can’t launder a garment right away, spray club soda on the stain. Let the solution sit for a few minutes before laundering as usual.
Remove a white wine stain with hydrogen peroxide
For white or very light colours, you can use hydrogen peroxide.
Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 3 parts warm water, then apply it to the stain. Let it sit for 30 minutes, checking every so often for any discolouration.
Rinse the area, then launder as usual.
How to Clean White Wine Stains from Carpet
For a carpet stain, use a commercial cleaner or a mixture of mild detergent and water.
Spray the area, following the product instructions if needed. Use a cloth to blot the stain gently – rubbing will push the stain deeper into the fibres.
Rinse the area with a sponge dipped in clean water. Blot again to remove moisture.
Let the carpet air dry (but avoid direct heat or sunlight) then vacuum to lift the fibres.
How to Clean White Wine Stains from Upholstery
If your upholstery is vintage, silk, or another delicate fabric, simply blot the stain to remove as much moisture as possible. You’ll need to consult a professional to clean the area.
For more common fabrics on couches and other furniture, rinse the stain with a clean sponge dipped in cold water. Do not let it saturate the area, since the water will seep into the upholstery cushions.
Use a dry cloth to remove moisture, then let the upholstery air dry.
How to Clean a Dry White Wine Stain
Stain removal for dried champagne and white wine is pretty simple!
Mix one tablespoon of dish soap or detergent into two cups of warm water. Use a soft-bristled brush to work the soapy mixture into the dried stain.
Use a clean sponge or cloth to rinse the area with cool water. Any soapy mixture left will turn sticky and attract dirt.
Blot up as much moisture as you can with a dry cloth, then let the spot air dry. For carpets, you can vacuum to lift the fibres.
Cleaning White Wine or Champagne from Other Surfaces
If you’ve spilled white wine or champagne on your kitchen counter, make sure to wipe it up immediately.
You can use a damp cloth or one dipped in soapy water to ensure the surface doesn’t become sticky with the sugars in wine. Dry the area afterwards.
For wood surfaces, wipe the area first to remove the wetness. Then sprinkle some salt over the affected area, leaving it to sit for 10 minutes. Brush or vacuum up the salt afterwards.
For party hosts who’ve hired professional home cleaners, make sure to tell them if any wine has been spilled on tables or counters so they can clean it up!
It’s Okay – Sip Happens
A spill or two isn’t going to damage your clothes, carpet, or couch in the long run.
The most important factor is time – the sooner you treat a stain, the easier it will be to get out. Don’t spend time asking yourself ‘Does white wine stain?’ and get straight to cleaning.
And next time, if you’re popping the cork for a tipple, aim it away from any fabric!
