How to remove red wine from a wool rug

Material context

natural, hand-tufted, Persian, berber, kilim, cotton flatweave – anything with lanolin or natural dye. That drives what you can and cannot apply – see the warning above.

The protocol, step by step

1. Blot with white cloth from outside in. Do not rub – you drive the pigment deeper into the wool fibre.
2. Pour cold soda water OR white wine onto the stain (the low pH lifts the red pigment). Blot.
3. Sprinkle table salt generously; wait 10 minutes; vacuum.
4. Dry stain: apply Woolite Rug Stain Remover (sold as safe on wool: check the label). Never oxygen bleach on wool.
5. Persistent ring: professional wet clean. Do not repeat home attempts – repeated wetting sets the tannin.

Products needed

• White wine or soda water (immediate)
• Table salt
• Woolite Rug Stain Remover
• Professional wet clean for persistent rings

Realistic verdict

Wool wins the wine battle if you catch it under 15 minutes. Past 30 minutes on natural wool dye, a shadow is likely permanent – accept and hide under furniture.

Frequently asked questions

How fast do I need to act?

Very high urgency – within 15 minutes. On wool specifically, the red wine window is the same but the response differs – see the protocol above.

What must I never do to wool?

Never oxygen bleach or Vanish on wool – strips dye and damages fibre.

What is the realistic recovery rate?

Wool wins the wine battle if you catch it under 15 minutes. Past 30 minutes on natural wool dye, a shadow is likely permanent – accept and hide under furniture.

When to stop and call a pro

Any red wine spot on wool larger than 30 × 30 cm; any second incident on the same spot (pigment or odour compound); any wool rug already treated with the wrong product (hot water, or the "never" listed above). Professional wet cleaning cost for wool: £3–£6 per m²; a 200 × 290 wool rug is £20–£35.