How to Handle a Red Wine Spill on Carpet

⚠️ Time-sensitive stain: See our emergency stain treatment guide for immediate first steps.

For the general approach, see: red wine on carpet fabric.

Steps to Take Right Away

1. Blot immediately. Use a clean cloth to absorb excess liquid.

What Not to Do

• Don’t wait for “better” supplies. Delaying usually makes the stain set; dry-blotting now is better than doing nothing.
• Don’t rub or scrub. This can push wine deeper and fuzz or distort carpet fibers.
• Don’t use hot water or heat. Heat can set dye and make removal harder.
• Don’t over-soak the carpet. Flooding can drive wine into the backing and make drying slower.
• Don’t use colored or lint-shedding towels. They can transfer dye or leave fibers behind.

Notes for Common Situations

Spill just occurred: Prioritize fast, dry blotting to remove as much wine as possible before adding any moisture. Replace towels often so you’re lifting wine, not reapplying it.

Limited supplies available: Use whatever clean, absorbent, light-colored material you have (paper towels, napkins, a plain cotton T-shirt). If you only have water, use it sparingly and keep blotting.

Need for immediate action: The safest “do something now” approach is press-and-lift blotting, edge-to-center. If you must leave, put a dry towel stack on the spot and weigh it down briefly to keep wicking.