How To Clean Red Wine Out Of Tile Grout

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Few items create more insidious household stains than red wine. Prompt removal will ensure red wine stains do not permanently discolor your grout. Even if the stain is older, you still have some options for removing it.^[1]

The best time to remove a red wine stain is when the spill is fresh. Fast action will prevent deep staining of your grout.

1

Use a paper towel to blot any excess liquid from a fresh spill. Don't reach for a cloth towel because the red wine will stain the towel.
2

Use a paper towel soaked in dish soap and warm water to scrub the stain. A degreasing dish soap works best.
3

Pour table salt onto the stain and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. The salt should soak up the wine, preventing permanent staining.
4

Pick up salt with a paper towel and rinse the area with clean water.
5

If color remains after the salt application, place hydrogen peroxide in a small spray bottle and spray on the affected area. Leave for 30 minutes before rinsing with clean water.

If the red wine stain has already penetrated the grout and has been left for some time, then you may need to take stronger measures. For white grout, try the following method:

1

Mix 1 part bleach with 1 part baking soda to form a paste.
2

Apply the paste onto the grout and allow the paste to sit for 5 minutes.
3

Scrub the paste into the grout with a toothbrush.
4

Rinse the area with warm water and repeat as needed.

If the red wine stain has already penetrated your colored grout, try the following method:

1

Combine 4 tablespoons (59 ml) each of ammonia, baking soda and white vinegar into a small glass bowl.
2

Combine with 1 1/2 quarts (1 1/2 L) of warm water in a spray bottle.
3

Spray the affected area and wait 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

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Can I remove an old stain from grout?

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.

Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

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If your grout is stained with something that's penetrated too far to be scrubbed off with oxyclean, then it'd be time to call in a tile and grout cleaning and refinishing expert. There are several national franchise companies that can help.

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Specialty grout cleaners are also available at your local home goods store.
If your grout is not sealed, take the time to seal it after cleaning up the stain. Sealed grout will make cleaning much easier in the future.

Bleach will permanently discolor colored grout. Only use bleach with white grout.
Be careful with clothing when handling bleach. Bleach will permanently discolor clothing and cleaning towels.
If using bleach or ammonia, then you must make sure that the area is well-ventilated.

Things You'll Need

Dish soap
Table salt
Paper towels
Bleach
Baking soda
Ammonia
White vinegar

References

↑ Art Fricke. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.

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