A spilled glass of red wine can ruin a dress, a shirt or a holiday tablecloth in seconds. What you do in the first few minutes decides whether the stain comes out. Here is how to treat red wine and other common holiday stains, what to avoid, and when to hand a garment to a professional.
The first rule for any stain: act fast and do not rub
- Blot, do not rub. Press a clean cloth or paper towel onto the stain to lift as much as you can. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper and spreads it.
- Use cold water. Hot water and heat can set many stains, so keep the garment away from the dryer and iron until the stain is gone.
- Work from the back. Rinse from the back of the fabric so the stain is pushed out, not through.
- Check the care label first. If it says dry clean only, do not treat it yourself.
How to remove red wine from clothes
- Blot up as much wine as possible with a clean cloth.
- Rinse the back of the stain with cold water.
- Apply a little mild detergent or dish soap and gently work it in with your fingers.
- Rinse again with cold water and check the stain before drying.
- If any color is left, repeat. Only put the garment in the dryer once the stain is completely gone.
Test any product on a hidden spot first, because some dyes run.
Other common holiday stains
| Stain | First step |
|---|---|
| Red wine | Blot, then rinse the back with cold water. |
| Gravy and grease | Blot off excess and treat with a little mild dish soap. Do not use hot water. |
| Coffee and tea | Rinse with cold water and wash with a mild detergent. |
| Chocolate | Scrape off any solid, rinse with cold water and treat with mild detergent. |
Tablecloths and table linens
Holiday meals mean stained tablecloths and napkins. Treat stains as soon as you can, avoid hot water, and check the label before washing. Delicate, antique or embroidered linens are often better left to a professional. At Top Hat Cleaners, a large tablecloth is $19.99 and a table runner is $14.99, and you can add them to the same pickup as your holiday dry cleaning.
When to take it to a professional
- The garment is silk, wool, velvet or labeled dry clean only.
- The stain has been there a while, or has been through the dryer.
- It is a dress, suit or formal outfit you cannot afford to risk.
- You have tried home treatment and the stain is still there.
Tell your cleaner what the stain is and what you have already tried, since that affects how it is treated. At Top Hat Cleaners, stains are evaluated and treated based on stain type, fabric and condition. Complete removal cannot be guaranteed, because results depend on the fabric, the stain and how long it has been there. See how dry cleaning works, and our price guide for what cleaning costs.
Pickup and delivery before the holidays
Pickup and delivery is free on qualifying orders of $45 or more in participating areas. Same-day service may be available at select locations, with cutoff times that vary, so call 214-348-0666 if you have an event. See how pickup and delivery works or find your nearest store on our locations page.
Ready to book? Schedule a pickup or call 214-348-0666.
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