What to Do First for Red Wine Stains on Cotton Blouses

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

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

Steps to Take Right Away

1. Blot—don’t rub. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot from the outside of the stain toward the center to lift as much wine as possible.
2. Rinse from the back with cold water. Hold the stained area under cold running water on the reverse side so the flow pushes the wine out, not deeper into the fabric.
3. Apply a small amount of liquid detergent. Gently work liquid laundry detergent into the damp stain with your fingers for 30–60 seconds.
4. Rinse and check. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and look at the stain in good light. Repeat the detergent step if the color is still visible.
5. Optional: short soak if you have time. Soak the blouse in cold water with a bit of detergent for 15–30 minutes, then rinse again.
6. Wash as soon as you can. Launder on the warmest setting the care label allows using your regular detergent.
7. Air-dry until you’re sure it’s gone. Let it air-dry and recheck. If any pink/red remains, repeat treatment and rewash.

What Not to Do

• Don’t use hot water at first. Heat can set red wine pigments into cotton.
• Don’t rub or scrub aggressively. This can spread the stain and distort the fabric.
• Don’t put it in the dryer while stained. Dryer heat can make leftover staining much harder to remove.
• Don’t mix random cleaners. If you switch products, rinse well in between to avoid residue or unwanted reactions.
• Don’t let it dry out before treating. Keep the area damp if you can’t wash immediately.

Notes for Common Situations

Stain was recently applied and is still wet: Speed matters most—blot first, then rinse from the back with cold water. The more wine you remove before soap, the better.

Access to water and cleaning supplies is available: Cold running water plus a small amount of liquid detergent is usually the best simple combo. If you can’t wash right away, a brief cold soak after rinsing helps keep the stain from setting.

Concerned about permanent damage to the fabric: Cotton is generally sturdy, but avoid harsh scrubbing and avoid heat until the stain is fully gone. Test any stronger stain remover on an inside seam first, and follow the care label for washing temperature.