Anyone could accidentally spill red wine while at a party or enjoying a quiet night at home. However, if spilled red wine hits a wooden floor or table, the wine can easily be absorbed into the wood and leave a permanent stain. Removing red wine stains that are already on wood can be difficult, but there are a variety of methods that can effectively remove them. It is important that you remove any remaining wine and clean the stain as soon as the spill occurs. Fresh wine stains are easier to deal with than stains that have been on for a day or two.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Picking Up and Cleaning Up Wine Spills
Step 1. Pick up the red wine spill
If the wine hasn't completely dried on the table or floor, you can prevent stains from forming in the first place. Wet a paper towel or absorbent cloth with water from the tap. After that, absorb the wine by pressing a towel or cloth over the spill.
Do not rub a cloth or towel over the spill. This will actually widen or enlarge the size of the stain
Step 2. Make an oil soap mixture
If the stain on the wood surface is small or not very noticeable, you may only need an oil soap to remove the stain. Mix the oil soap with hot water according to the directions on the package. Usually, you need to mix 60 ml of soap with 4 liters of water.
Oil soap can be obtained easily. Usually, you can find it in the cleaning products section of a supermarket or hardware store
Step 3. Clean the wine stains with an oil-soap mixture
After making the mixture, dip a dry, fine-textured cloth into the mixture. Squeeze the rag to remove excess liquid (and the rag doesn't get too wet), then rub the rag over the wine stain that's already stuck to the wood surface. With this step, it is hoped that the stain will be lifted immediately.
- After you've brushed or scrubbed the wine stain, rinse the area that was cleaned with a clean rag or damp paper towel, then dry with another clean, dry cloth.
- If you treat the stain as soon as possible (or spot it in the first place), usually the stain can be removed effectively with this step.
Method 2 of 4: Removing Sticky and Dried Stains Using Bleach or Ammonia
Step 1. Test the bleach or ammonia on a small area first
Before you apply the chemical to an obvious wood surface, test for bleach or ammonia on a small, hidden area first. Pour in a few drops of bleach or ammonia and let sit for 45 minutes. This way, you won't end up causing more or more serious damage to the wood surface. If ammonia or bleach causes discoloration of the wood, you will need to remove the red wine stain using a different method.
- Never mix ammonia and bleach as they both produce dangerous toxic gases. From the start, decide whether you want to remove the wine stain using bleach or ammonia.
- Both bleach and ammonia are caustic substances that can damage or cause discoloration of tabletops or wood floors. In addition, bleach can lift or pull off the existing outer layer of paint, so you may need to completely repaint the countertop.
- If one of the chemicals used does not provide optimal results, there is a possibility that the other ingredients will not work.
Step 2. Apply a strong concentration of bleach to the stain
If the red wine stain has dried and is stuck to the wood, clean the stained area with bleach. Pour about 1 tablespoon or 15 ml of bleach on the problem area, depending on the size of the stain. Allow the bleach to soak into the wood and let it sit for 45 minutes before you wipe the stained area. If the bleach doesn't work to remove the bleach stain within 45 minutes, pour the bleach back on the stain and leave it overnight.
Use latex gloves and paper towels to remove any excess bleach, as bleach is a caustic agent. Immediately discard used paper towels and rinse worn gloves
Step 3. Use ammonia on the bleach stain instead of bleach
Ammonia is another powerful caustic agent that can lift red wine stains that have dried and stuck to wood surfaces. After absorbing any remaining wine spill, dampen a sponge or washcloth with pure ammonia. Dab a washcloth or sponge on the stain and let it sit. After about 45 minutes, use another damp cloth to remove any remaining ammonia from the wood surface.
Method 3 of 4: Using Vinegar as a Natural Ingredient
Step 1. Make a cleaning mixture by mixing vinegar and water in equal proportions
Pour the liquid ingredients into a bowl. Make enough of the mixture to cover the surface of the wood where the red wine spilled. For example, you could use 240 ml of vinegar and 240 ml of water.
Step 2. Dip the patchwork in the vinegar mixture
Wet the cloth and do not wring it out. The vinegar mixture should be able to penetrate the wood grain and lift the stain. Therefore, patchwork must be used in very wet conditions.
Step 3. Place the cloth over the stain until the stain begins to lift
Lift the cloth and check the condition of the stain every few minutes to see if the stain has been removed. The stain will appear lighter or faded, and the patchwork will show signs of absorption.
Step 4. Rub the stained area with another patchwork dampened with the vinegar mixture after the stain is removed
Dip another clean piece of patchwork in the vinegar and water mixture, then rub it over the stain. Keep scrubbing the dirty area until the stain disappears.
If the stain has not been removed, you can repeat the cleaning process again
Step 5. Wipe the cleaned area with a new rag
Once the stain is removed, remove the remaining vinegar mixture with a clean, damp cloth. After that, dry the area with a clean cloth.
Method 4 of 4: Remove Adhesive Stains Using Abrasive Materials
Step 1. Clean the stain with a baking soda paste
Mix the baking soda with mineral oil to form a thick, coarse-textured paste. Use a clean rag (or your finger) to apply the paste to the stain, in the direction of the grain. Let the paste sit on the stain for 30 minutes, then remove it with a clean, dry cloth.
- Prepare 2 tablespoons (40 grams) of baking soda in advance, depending on the size of the stain. Gradually add teaspoon (about 1.5 ml) of mineral oil until a paste forms and is thoroughly moistened.
- Because it's a relatively light abrasive, there's a good chance the baking soda won't damage or scratch a wooden floor or countertop. Make sure you try using baking soda first before switching to tripoli powder (rottenstone).
Step 2. Make a paste of linseed oil and tripoli powder
Rottenstone or tripoli is a fine stone powder that carpenters use as an abrasive polish. Use a spoon or fingers to mix 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of tripoli with teaspoon (1.5 ml) of flaxseed oil. Carefully apply the prepared thick paste to the stain, in the direction of the grain. Let the paste sit for 30 minutes, then remove it using a clean cloth.
- Only use tripoli if baking soda doesn't remove wine stains. Tripoli is more abrasive and abrasive, and has a higher risk of scratching the wood surface.
- If there is oil residue on the wood surface, you can remove it by sprinkling a little flour on the stain.
- Flaxseed oil is available at convenience stores or hardware stores. For tripoli or rottenstone, you can get them from a hardware or home supply store.
Step 3. Use salt and a mixture of pumice, baking soda, and lemon oil
Pour salt on the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes. Remove the remaining salt and check the condition of the stain. If the stain is still visible, mix 85-90 grams of pumice powder, 70 grams of baking soda and 60 ml of lemon oil to form a paste. Spread the paste over the stain, let it sit for 10 minutes, and remove the paste using a clean, damp cloth.
- You can repeat this process until the stain is gone.
- Dry the wood surface by wiping it with a clean rag after the stain has lifted.
Step 4. Contact a professional wood care service provider
If you haven't been able to successfully remove the red wine stain using various methods, and the stain is still on the wood surface, there's a good chance that the stain is deep enough that you can't remove it yourself. Contact a professional wood maintenance service provider in your city. The service provider will come to the house or apartment to check the condition of the stain and determine what steps can be taken to remove the stain.
You can also contact the service provider if the wine stain is large enough or is on a visible area of the floor to avoid the risk of worsening the condition of the stain
Tips
- If the stain is successful, apply a furniture polish or wax paste to restore the shine to the wood surface.
- If you can't get tripoli or rottenstone, you can use pumice. However, keep in mind that pumice is slightly more abrasive.
Warning
- Tripoli and pumice may be too rough for your needs. If you are afraid of scratching the surface of the floor or wooden table, it's a good idea to seek expert advice.
- You may have heard that white wine can be used to remove red wine stains. This is not true. Mixing the two will only lighten the color of the stain and increase its size.
