The Miracle Stain Remover You Need at the Thanksgiving Table

Wine Away, a commercial cleaning product formulated to remove red wine stains, has a lesser-known use that makes it the secret weapon for Thanksgiving messes. 

While red wine has an earned reputation as a difficult stain, there are a number of good options for removing red wine stains that exist. You're probably familiar with more than one red wine stain removal technique, such as the old hostess trick of using white wine to treat a red wine stain or using table salt to pull red wine out of carpet, upholstered furniture, or table linens.

But cranberry, a staple of the Thanksgiving table, is difficult to remove, with a dearth of options for its removal. That's where Wine Away comes in. This year, before the cranberry sauce has the chance to drip onto the family's heirloom tablecloth, have the cleaner handy and review our guide to using Wine Away on fabrics, from table linens to carpet and upholstery.

How to Use Wine Away on Table Linens

Before using Wine Away on anything, but especially on something precious like an heirloom, it can be helpful to know that if the stain turns blue or purple after applying Wine Away, that means the product is working.

What You Need

• Wine Away
• Light-colored cloth
• Paper towels or rags (optional)
• Butter knife or spoon (optional)

Step 1: Blot Liquid and/or Pick Up Solids

If the stain is caused by a liquid spill, such as red wine or juice, blot as much of the liquid as possible using paper towels or rags. If the stain is from a solid spill, such as cranberry sauce, pick up as much of the solid matter as possible using paper towels or the side of a spoon or a butter knife if the solids have dried and need to be scraped from the fabric.

Step 2: Apply Wine Away to Stain

Spray the stain with Wine Away and let it sit for one to five minutes to penetrate the stain.

Step 3: Blot Stain

Use a light-colored cloth or a paper towel to blot the area until the stain disappears. Do not rub or scrub the fibers to avoid abrading them and causing damage. 

Step 4: Launder Item

Once the stain has been removed, launder the item as usual following manufacturer or familial instructions.

How to Use Wine Away on Carpet and Upholstery

Wine Away can be safely used on most carpet or upholstery, provided the material is safe for water-based cleaning. If the tag on the furniture has the code W or SW, Wine Away is safe to use on it; do not use Wine Away on upholstery fabric labeled S or X. Wine Away can be used on some wool rugs, but be sure to test the product on an inconspicuous spot, as it can leave a water ring on wool or silk.

What You Need

• Wine Away
• Light-colored cloth
• Paper towels or rags (optional)
• Butter knife or spoon (optional)
• Vacuum

Step 1: Blot Liquid and/or Pick Up Solids

If you're dealing with a liquid spill, such as red wine or juice, blot as much of the liquid as possible using paper towels or rags. If the stain is caused by a solid spill, such as cranberry sauce, pick up as much of the solid matter as possible using paper towels or the side of a spoon or a butter knife if the solids have dried and need to be scraped from the fabric.

Step 2: Apply Wine Away to Stain

Spray the stain with Wine Away and let it sit for one to five minutes to penetrate the stain.

Step 3: Blot Stain

Use a light-colored cloth or a paper towel to blot the area until the stain disappears. Do not rub or scrub the fibers, which can abrade the nap, causing pilling or matting. 

Step 4: Vacuum Area

Once the stain has been removed and the area has dried, run the vacuum to restore the nap of the carpet.

How to Apply Wine Away to Clothing

Wine Away can be used on any clothing that can be washed in water, including some garments marked dry clean only. Wine Away should not be used on viscose, and care should be taken if using it on wool or silk, as it can leave a water ring.

What You Need

• Wine Away
• Light-colored cloth or paper towels

Step 1: Blot Liquid

If the stain is fresh, use a light-colored cloth or paper towels to blot as much of the liquid as possible.

Step 2: Apply Wine Away to Stain

Spray the stain with Wine Away and let it sit for one to five minutes to penetrate the stain.

Step 3: Blot Excess

Use a light-colored cloth or a paper towel to blot the area until the stain disappears, taking care not to rub or scrub the fibers, which can cause the fabric to pill or fray.

Step 4: Launder Clothing

Once the stain has been removed, launder the item as usual following the instructions on the care tag.