The Kitchen Essential That Easily Removes Fresh Red Wine Stains From Clothes & Furniture

Red wine might offer subtle health benefits thanks to the antioxidants and resveratrol it contains, but it can also wreak havoc on your favorite blouse, dress, or couch cushions with just a small spill. That's thanks to the anthocyanins, which is just a fancy word for the pigments in grape skins that provide red wine's color, along with the tannins that help those pigments bind tightly to fabric. While seeing a drop of red wine fall anywhere other than inside of your glass might send you into a panic, try to relax: Club soda can help lift and remove fresh red wine stains from clothes and furniture before they set in, and it's surprisingly handy for a cocktail mixer.

Club soda is hailed as a red wine stain remover for both clothing and furniture, and it works best when the stain is still fresh. That's because once a stain settles in, it has more time to soak into the fabric and cling to the fibers, thereby making it harder to remove. So, if you accidentally spill red wine on your clothing or furniture, it's best to act quickly. Grab a bottle of club soda from your local grocery store. A six-pack works just fine, or you can pick up a Publix 2-liter bottle for under $2, and start working on the stain right away. Just be sure to leave behind the salt as it can make red wine stains even worse.

You can use club soda around the house in a lot of ways, but there are some specific steps when it comes to removing fresh wine stains. Start by blotting the area with a dry, absorbent cloth or a paper towel before all the wine has time to set. Hold off on scrubbing, as that can actually push the liquid deeper into the fibers, cause the color to spread, and make the stain harder to remove. Once you're done blotting, it's time to bring in the club soda.

If you're working on clothing, place the garment over a bowl with the stained area positioned over the opening. Gently pour club soda over the stain so the liquid can pass through the fabric and fall in the bowl underneath — just be sure to keep the rest of the garment out of the bowl.

Next, lay the garment flat on a waterproof surface or a table with a towel underneath. Blot the stained area again with a clean, absorbent cloth to soak up the liquid. You can repeat that process until the red has lifted as much as possible. For upholstery, you're going to follow the same steps without the bowl: Blot up any excess wine with a cloth or paper towel, then pour club soda over the stained area. Then, blot again with a clean cloth to remove the liquid as the club soda breaks down the stain.