How to Remove Wine Stains from a Wedding Gown?

If your wedding gown is suitable for dry cleaning only, you should always walk up to the nearest dry cleaning professional to get the stains treated. However, for wedding gowns that are washable, you can make use of dishwashing detergent, white vinegar, and laundry detergent for removing wine stains. Alternatively, you can treat the stains with dish soap and hydrogen peroxide before the final wash.

What are wedding gowns made of?

In most cases, a wedding gown consists of a bodice, skirt, and train that can be made using different fabric materials.

The bodice is the top part of the dress that covers the chest and torso, and most gown bodices are made of delicate fabrics, such as silk, satin, tulle, lace, or taffeta.

However, there are also some bodices that are made out of mesh material, and meshing can be pretreated using mild detergent and warm water.

Likewise, the skirt is the bottom part of the dress that typically reaches the ground, which is prone to staining due to contact with the floor.

To a large extent, skirts and bodices share the same fabrics. That being said, if the skirt is made of velvet, you should have it professionally cleaned.

The train is an extra piece of fabric that hangs down from the back of the dress and is usually made from chiffon, tulle, satin, or taffeta.

The train can sometimes be separated from the dress so that it can be washed or treated separately.

Overall, if your wedding gown is made of delicate fabrics, you’ll want to be careful not to damage the fabric.

How to remove wine stains from a wedding gown?

Stains on a wedding gown can ruin the look of the dress and be very difficult to remove, especially if the color of your gown is bright, white, ivory, or cream.

Make sure to act quickly, as it may become difficult to remove the stain after it dries. 

To start with, check if your wedding gown is a one-piece or can be separated into a top and bottom.

If the top, skirt, lace, or train of the dress can be removed for washing or pre-treatment of stains, do so.

Blotting

The best way to treat a wine stain on delicate pieces of the wedding gown is to blot the stain with a clean, dry cloth.

Alternatively, you can use a paper towel or a dry sponge to blot the stain and absorb as much as possible.

Use Mild Soap

You can also try using mild soap or a natural detergent and water to gently scrub the stain.

Scrubbing the area with a damp sponge will help remove the stain without spreading it elsewhere.

Use Club soda  or Seltzer water

You can also try using club soda or seltzer water to remove the stain from your wedding gown.

The frothy nature of soda or seltzer water helps break up the stain and lift it from the fabric.

So, you can pre-treat a stain by pouring soda directly on the spot and allowing it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing the affected area with clean water.

For tougher stains, you may need to scrub a bit with a sponge before rinsing with clean water.

But overall, soda is a gentle and effective way to remove stains from clothing.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is also an effective stain remover and can be used to pre-treat stains on your wedding gown.

To use lemon juice, simply add some lemon juice to a bowl filled with detergent and water and pour the mixture onto the stained area.

Let the solution sit for a few minutes before you use a sponge to gently scrub.

Next, rinse the area with clean water and repeat as needed.

Also Read: How to use Tide-to-go liquid pen?

Baking Soda

If the stain is wet or fresh, you can simply apply some baking soda powder and let it absorb and lighten the wine stain from the surface of the gown.

After 10 minutes, you can apply a mild soap and sprinkle some water.

Then, start scrubbing the stain with a damp cloth or a sponge.

Finally, rinse the affected surface with clean water and launder it as usual.

Vinegar

A solution of distilled or white vinegar can help remove wine stains from a wedding gown with ease.

After blotting a fresh wine stain with a clean cloth, simply mix one part vinegar with two parts water and apply the solution to the affected surface.

Allow the solution to sit on the stain for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water.

Another way is to simply soak the stained portion of your gown in equal parts vinegar and water for about 30 minutes, then rinse it with clean water.

Commercial fabric stain remover

There are fabric-safe commercial stain removers designed for delicate fabrics that can be used to treat stains on your wedding gown.

You can buy it online or at a local laundry supply store and follow the instructions carefully.

Older stains, especially wine stains, may be more difficult to remove from your wedding gown.

So, you can try soaking the dress in a solution of vinegar and water or using a commercial stain remover and then rinsing it with clean water.

If the affected area is made of mesh or netting, wet it with soapy water and scrub it with a sponge.

For dried stains on netting or mesh surfaces, use a soft-bristled brush and start scrubbing gently to discharge dried particles.

Professional Cleaning

In some cases, stains may be too difficult to remove with home cleaning remedies.

If that’s the case, you may need to take the wedding gown to a laundromat or to a professional cleaner.

Tips to treat red wine stains effectively from a wedding gown

• The first step is to blot the stain immediately with a clean white cloth, paper towel, or a sponge to absorb as much of the wine as possible. 
• Whatever solution you will use to treat the stains on your wedding gown make sure to try using it on an inconspicuous area or on the reverse side of the garment first.
• Avoid rubbing the fabric together, as this will only spread the stain.
• Whichever method you choose, be sure to rinse the area well afterward to remove any residue.
• To treat stubborn stains or if the garment is too delicate to treat at home, simply get it done through a laundry professional.
• Likewise, if you aren’t sure about the fabric type or if you are confused with any specified instructions then take it to a laundromat or a dry cleaning professional.

How do you keep stains out of wedding gowns?

Wedding dresses or gowns are one of the most expensive pieces of clothing you won’t like stains on.

Below are a few ways to prevent stains on your wedding gowns.

• Wedding gowns are usually worn for a shorter span of time on any given occasion, so you should try to avoid eating or drinking anything that could potentially stain them. This especially includes beverages such as coffee, red wine, shakes, etc. Likewise, avoid snacking on stain-causing items such as curries or soups.
• If you must eat or drink something that could cause a stain, be sure to use a napkin or place a coaster under your glass.
• Make sure the areas around your wedding venue are clean, such as the seating areas. And always act quickly because the sooner you treat the stain, the better chance you have of removing it.
• Using Antiperspirant deodorant also helps to prevent stains, as sweat can cause the fabric to become discolored.

Final Thoughts

Red wine stains can ruin the overall appearance of your expensive wedding gown, especially if it is a bright color.

If you do spill wine or something else on your wedding gown, be sure to blot (don’t rub) the affected area right away.

Lastly, read the care label carefully before deciding on the method to clean your expensive gown. Some materials may require special cleaning methods, i.e., dry cleaning or wet cleaning using special detergents.

If you don’t know what kind of fabric it is, ask a professional at a dry cleaner or a laundromat.