How to remove a wine stain (white and red):
Spilled misfortune that may not be permanent

A story from life

"I toasted myself with red at a party and within seconds had it on my white linen pants. Everyone started yelling "salt, salt!" but I pulled out a lemon and soda and wondered how I was going to make it home with my EcoHouse gear. And the result? Nobody knew what happened."

- Katka, EcoHaus customer

Why wine is so tricky

Wine contains:

tannins and anthocyanins - natural dyes, highly pigmented
acids (tartaric, malic) - which fix the colour into the substance
alcohol - which helps the pigments penetrate deeper

While white wine leaves yellowish or gray shadows (especially over time), red wine produces deep purple to brown stains that can darken over time.

How to stain wine step by step

What helps:

Cold water
Baking soda
Citric acid or lemon juice
White vinegar 10%
Sodium percarbonate
EcoHaus Washing Papers

Procedure:

Gently blot the stain with a paper towel as soon as possible, do not press, do not wipe.
Rinse with cold water on the reverse side of the cloth.
For red wine:
sprinkle with baking soda,
sprinkle with lemon or vinegar,
let bubble and sit for 10-20 minutes.
Why it works: Soda soaks up pigment, acid breaks down tannins.
For white fabric or heavy stains, add sodium percarbonate to the wash.
Why it works: Active oxygen breaks down colored residue and brightens the fabric.
Wash with EcoHaus washing papers at 30-40 °C.

What not to do

Do not use hot water on a fresh stain. It will fix the colour into the fibres.
Do not scrub the fabric. The pigment will spread and get deeper.
Don't wait. Wine oxidizes very quickly - the sooner you intervene, the better.

➙ Tip from Grandma Petra

We used to use lemon and soda for red wine - and then hang it out in the sun. Today I add percarbonate and put it in the washing machine with paper. The result? Even a white linen dress saved.

➙ Tip from Vlaďka - the cleaning lady

Vinegar and baking soda also work for wine - let it bubble, then wipe gently with a cloth and wash. I always add percarbonate for light things. And above all: don't neglect anything right after an accident.

Looking for another solution?

At Scrooge you'll find recipes for tea, coffee, chocolate, sauces, side dishes and ketchup. And if you've got a stain right now - email Vlaďka. You'll find her in the bottom right corner.

Send your tip

Did you handle the wine stain differently? Send your trick to marketing@ecohaus.cz or write in the comments. We'll be happy to publish, thank you - and inspire other households.