Can I use white wine to remove a red wine stain?

No. White wine does not remove the stain and can add more sugar to the fabric, which may make the problem worse.

Why should I not dry the garment right away?

Heat can set the stain into the fibers, making it much harder to remove later. Always inspect before tumble drying.

Does milk remove red wine stains?

No. Milk does not neutralize the tannins in red wine, so it is not an effective treatment.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide on red wine stains?

Yes, on some washable fabrics. Use 3% hydrogen peroxide carefully, then air dry and rewash if needed.

What if the stain is on dry-clean-only fabric?

Do not use home stain removers on delicate or dry-clean-only items. Take it to a professional cleaner as soon as possible.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains

By Zach Pozniak, VP of Operations at Jeeves of Belgravia New York and fourth-generation dry cleaner · @jeeves_ny

Quick answer: To remove red wine stains, blot or rinse right away, pre-treat with equal parts white vinegar and warm water plus a little dish soap, then wash as the care label allows. If the stain remains, soak with oxygen bleach overnight and rewash before drying.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains Fast

If you want to know how to remove red wine stains, the key is to act quickly and use an acid-based pre-treatment before washing. Start with vinegar and water, then wash as the care label allows, and only dry the item once the stain is completely gone.

What to do right away

Blot or rinse immediately. Fresh wine is much easier to remove than a stain that has sat and oxidized.
Mix a simple pre-treatment. Use equal parts white vinegar and warm water with a couple drops of dish soap.
Apply and wait. Rub it in gently and let it sit for 15 minutes to 1 hour.

Vinegar helps break down the tannins in red wine. If you only have cooking vinegar, it can still work, but you may need to repeat the process.

Wash, then inspect before drying

Wash the garment according to the care label. After washing, check the stain carefully before putting it in the dryer. Heat can set what is left behind and make the stain much harder to remove.

If the stain is still there

Soak the item in oxygen bleach overnight, or use powdered oxygen bleach in hot water if the fabric allows it.
Rewash the garment.
Inspect again before drying.

For stubborn stains, 3% hydrogen peroxide can also help on some fabrics. Let it air dry in the shade if you use peroxide, and avoid sunlight while the garment is wet.

What not to do

Do not use white wine. It does not remove the stain and can add more sugar to the fabric.
Do not dry too soon. Tumble drying can lock the stain in.
Do not rely on milk. It does not neutralize the tannins that cause the stain.

When to get professional help

If the fabric is silk, wool, rayon, or another delicate material, or if the stain is on a dry-clean-only garment, stop and take it to a professional cleaner. The wrong treatment can damage the fabric even if it removes the stain.

For most washable clothes, though, vinegar, patience, and a careful rewash are the fastest route to success.

Stuck on a stubborn wine stain?

Try asking

Can I use this method on a silk blouse, or do I need a different treatment?

Ask Jeeves AI

Or ask about any laundry or garment care question

Watch Jeeves NY demonstrate these techniques:

About the author

Zach Pozniak is VP of Operations and co-owner of Jeeves of Belgravia New York, the Madison Avenue dry cleaner serving New York since 1979, and the fourth generation of his family in the trade. Zach posts garment care techniques as @jeeves_ny on TikTok to over 620,000 followers, and his book The Laundry Book, co-written with his father Jerry Pozniak, was featured on Good Morning America in October 2024. Jeeves NY's clients include the Metropolitan Opera, the Met Museum, and FIT, and the business has been profiled by The Wall Street Journal and New York Magazine.