There's nothing quite like savouring a glass of red wine with your meal or while relaxing on the sofa watching telly. However, if you're not careful and spill some, it can spell disaster.
This particular drink is infamous for leaving stubborn stains that seem almost impossible to get rid of. And because of this, it's likely many of us have had to part with a beloved item of clothing due to these pesky marks.
But, if you act swiftly, you can rescue your favourite garments and eliminate a red wine stain in seconds with a 'miracle' trick that people swear by.
Nancy Birtwhistle, a respected author and cleaning guru, recently joined Rochelle Humes and Joel Dommett on an episode of This Morning to discuss all things related to stains and how to combat the really tough ones.
This technique is most effective on fresh red wine stains, so if you've just spilled a glass and your clothes are stained, fill the kettle with water and grab a large bowl, a colander and some clothes pegs. Position the stained fabric over the colander and then place it in the large bowl, ensuring it's stretched tight across the top.
To secure the clothing against the bowl, you can use pegs. When Rochelle asked about using white wine to remove the stain, Nancy warned that she once ruined a carpet by doing this, suggesting it's best to steer clear of that method.
This technique is also effective for other tough, fresh stains like fruit juice, Nancy added. The comments section was soon full with fans confirming that the hack did in fact work after they'd tried it at home.
One individual commented: "I did that on a beetroot stain on a pretty white dress and it worked miracles."
Another shared their success story: "I used this method recently on some white cotton trousers (a friend dropped a glass of red at my feet) - gone."
A third person expressed gratitude: "I saved a new tablecloth doing this. Thanks again Nancy! "
How The Trick Works
The science behind this hack is simple. Boiling water causes the molecules in red wine to disperse, making it easier to remove from fabric. The heat of the water effectively breaks down the stain, allowing it to be washed away with ease.
Other Stain Removal Tips
While the boiling water trick is ideal for fresh stains, there are other methods for tackling older red wine stains.
Pre-Treating
Before washing, pre-treat the stain with a stain remover or a mixture of baking soda and water. Allow the solution to sit on the stain for several minutes before laundering.
Cold Water Wash
Wash the stained item in cold water. Hot water can set the stain, making it more difficult to remove.
Final Thoughts
The next time you spill red wine, don't panic! Armed with this simple and effective hack, you can save your favourite garments and say goodbye to those stubborn stains.
