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How to (once and for all) Remove Wine Stains in Hotels

how to remove wine stains in hotels - a housekeeping manager's quick guide

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A guest’s delightful companion, wine is the beverage of celebrations. 

But, it’s also notorious for leaving stubborn stains on clothes, linens, upholstery, carpets, walls, and floors.

Hotel housekeeping staff know the sinking feeling all too well – discovering a red wine spill on pristine white linens.

We all have a love-hate relationship with wine, but for hotel housekeeping managers and staff, dealing with wine stains is part of the job description.

Here in this post, we will discuss some of the best ways to remove wine stains. 

Your First Line of Defense

Speed is the key to removing wine stains from any surface. The sooner you tackle the spill, the better your chances of success. 

Keep in mind that blotting – not rubbing – is your best friend here. Rubbing will only spread the stain, making your job harder in the long run. 

Removing Wine Stains from Natural-fiber Carpets and Area Rugs

  1. Dab the stain with warm, sudsy water and blot dry.
  2. Dab with a solution of clear ammonia water (in the ratio of 1:8) and blot dry. 
  3. Next, dab with a 50-50 vinegar-water solution and blot dry again.
  4. Repeat the process, if necessary.

When dealing with natural fiber carpets and rugs, you can use diluted solutions of ammonia, vinegar, and water. For synthetic carpets, stick to a vinegar and water solution. 

How to Remove Wine Stains from Leather 

You need a cleaning solution that’s mild enough for leather yet strong enough to remove even stubborn stains.

Gently dab the stain with suds from a mild dish soap solution and wipe dry the stain on the leather surface with a clean cloth. 

Next, follow up with a leather cleaner (as per the manufacturer’s instructions) to remove any stubborn traces of wine. 

Linen Upholstery Wine Stain Removal 

Treat linen upholstery similar to carpets, using warm, sudsy water, vinegar, and water solutions. 

For washable linen garments, pre-soak in a mixture of water, dishwashing detergent, and white vinegar, then rinse and treat as needed.

You can also use rubbing alcohol or an enzyme presoak product for stubborn wine stains.  

Steps to Remove Wine Stains On Ceramic Tiles

  1. Immediately wipe the tile with warm, sudsy water. 
  2. Spray with a mix of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 2 parts water if the stain persists.
  3. Let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing with a warm, damp cloth. 
  4. Repeat, if necessary.

Supplies that Can Help You Remove Wine Stains Fast 

  1. Salt: A classic absorbent, salt is perfect for treating fresh spills.
  2. White vinegar: Gentle bleaching properties make white vinegar a natural stain fighter.  
  3. Baking Soda: The characteristic fizzing reaction of baking soda helps loosen stains.
  4. Rubbing alcohol: A potent option for stubborn stains, it should be used with caution.
  5. Club soda: The carbonation helps lift stains from fibers.
  6. Dish soap: It aids in breaking down grease and grime.
  7. Hydrogen peroxide (optional): A bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide can be effective in many situations but it should be used sparingly and with caution.
  8. Commercial stain remover: A powerful option for especially tough stains.

With a bit of elbow grease, the right wine stain removal techniques can help you tackle wine stains in your hotel with confidence. 

Remember, acting swiftly is key. 

So, don’t hesitate to spring into action the moment a spill occurs.