Quick answer
Treat a fresh red-wine mark by blotting, sponging or soaking with cool water, then using a suitable prewash stain remover before laundering according to the care label.
Do this now for a fresh stain
- Blot excess wine with a clean white cloth.
- Sponge or soak the affected area in cool water.
- Pretreat with a laundry stain remover following its own directions.
- Launder according to the cotton item’s care label and inspect before drying.
What you will need
- White absorbent cloth
- Cool water
- Fabric-safe prewash stain remover
- Laundry detergent
If the stain has dried
- Cool-water soak, fabric-safe prewash treatment, then launder. Repeat once if needed before heat-drying.
If it is old or set in
- Set-in colour may not lift fully. Avoid harsh escalation on a valuable garment; use a professional cleaner if the label recommends it.
Do not use
- Do not rub aggressively.
- Do not use chlorine bleach unless the garment and bleach labels permit it.
- Do not machine-dry while the stain is still apparent.
When to stop
Stop if the fabric colour changes or if the item is marked dry-clean-only.
Keep it simple
Cool water and a compatible prewash treatment are safer first choices than improvised mixtures. Follow the garment care label throughout.