Sunny Cleaners Releases Expert Guidance on Treating Red Wine Stains During the Holidays
Myrtle Beach, SC —
Holiday gatherings often come with celebratory drinks and stylish outfits, but accidental red wine spills remain one of the most common wardrobe mishaps of the season. Sunny Cleaners has released a detailed guide explaining how red wine stains should be handled and when professional dry cleaning is the safest solution.
The company notes that while wine spills are common, the final outcome depends entirely on how the stain is treated in the first moments after it happens. The newly released guidance outlines proven do’s and don’ts for stain response, helping consumers avoid actions that cause permanent fabric damage.
This press release summarizes Sunny Cleaners’ expert recommendations on how to remove red wine stains responsibly and identifies clear signs that professional dry cleaning is required.
Understanding Why Red Wine Stains Are So Challenging
Red wine stains demand immediate attention, but haste often leads to mistakes. According to Sunny Cleaners, the objective is not to eliminate the stain instantly but to prevent it from spreading or bonding permanently with fabric fibers. When handled correctly, many red wine stains can be reduced or fully removed, particularly when fabric-safe methods are used early.
The Do’s: Safe Steps That Help Protect Garments
Do Blot the Spill Immediately
Sunny Cleaners advises blotting as the first and most important step. Blotting allows excess wine to be absorbed without pushing pigment deeper into the fibers. A clean napkin, paper towel, or cloth should be pressed gently onto the stain rather than rubbed.
For best results, Sunny Cleaners recommends switching to clean sections of the cloth as wine transfers, blotting from the outside of the stain inward to limit spreading, and pausing briefly to allow the fabric to release moisture. This step alone can significantly reduce how much wine sets into the garment.
Do Rinse Washable Fabrics With Cold Water If Allowed
If the garment’s care label confirms it is washable, cold water can help flush out wine pigments before they permanently bond to the fabric. Sunny Cleaners stresses that rinsing should always be done from the back of the stain to push wine outward instead of deeper into the fibers.
Cold water must be used exclusively, as warm or hot water can set the stain. Gentle water flow is preferred, and rinsing should stop once the stain lightens to avoid spreading dye unnecessarily. This method is suitable for everyday fabrics but should not replace professional care if staining persists.
Do Keep the Garment Away From Heat
Heat is one of the most damaging factors when treating red wine stains. Sunny Cleaners warns that dryers, hot water, irons, and even warm bathroom environments can permanently lock pigment into fabric.
To protect garments, items should be air dried only if necessary, stored flat or hanging rather than folded while damp, and never ironed to “check” whether a stain remains. Once heat is applied, even professional dry cleaning may not fully reverse the damage.
Do Bring Delicate or Formal Garments to a Professional Cleaner Quickly
For delicate or high-value fabrics such as silk, satin, velvet, wool, structured garments, or pieces with beading or sequins, Sunny Cleaners strongly recommends professional treatment. These materials react unpredictably to moisture and household products, often developing water rings, fading, or texture distortion.
Professional cleaners use tannin-specific solutions, controlled processes, and fabric testing to treat stains safely. According to Sunny Cleaners, the sooner a garment is brought in, the more treatment options remain available. For high-risk fabrics, dry cleaning is not a last resort but the safest first step.
The Don’ts: Common Mistakes That Permanently Set Stains
Don’t Rub the Stain
Rubbing forces wine deeper into fabric fibers, spreads the stain outward, and can permanently distort delicate materials. Sunny Cleaners explains that blotting lifts pigment, while rubbing grinds it in.
Gentle pressure preserves fibers, while excessive movement increases damage. If the fabric begins to appear shiny, stretched, or fuzzy, irreversible damage may already be occurring.
Don’t Pour Salt or Baking Soda on the Stain
Despite widespread belief, salt and baking soda are not recommended solutions. While salt may absorb surface moisture, it can also draw pigment deeper into the fabric as it dissolves. Baking soda often leaves chalky residue that creates dull rings or uneven texture.
Sunny Cleaners also notes that these substances interfere with professional stain removal, make rings more visible after drying, and can stiffen fabric fibers.
Don’t Use Vinegar, Hairspray, Club Soda, or DIY Hacks
Household products react unpredictably with fabric dyes and finishes. Vinegar can bleach or weaken fibers, hairspray often contains alcohol that spreads dye, and club soda typically provides little benefit beyond wetting the stain.
The company warns that chemical reactions from DIY solutions can cause dye shifts, secondary stains, or damage that becomes visible only after drying. If a product would not be tested on an inside seam, it should not be applied to a visible area.
Don’t Rinse Dry Clean Only Fabrics With Water
Water poses significant risks to delicate fabrics. Silk and satin are prone to water rings, velvet and wool can lose texture or shape, and embellished garments may suffer from loosened adhesives or detached trims.
Sunny Cleaners emphasizes that “Dry Clean Only” labels exist to prevent these exact issues. Ignoring them often turns a stain problem into a costly repair.
Don’t Let the Stain Sit Until the Next Day
Time works against red wine stains. As oxidation occurs, stains darken and become harder to break down, often shifting from red or purple to brown.
Delaying treatment reduces removal options, requires more aggressive cleaning methods, and lowers the chances of full restoration. Even if immediate treatment is not possible, keeping the garment away from heat and bringing it to a professional cleaner as soon as possible can significantly improve results.
Sunny Cleaners Offers Expert Red Wine Stain Removal in Myrtle Beach
Sunny Cleaners reminds consumers that a red wine spill does not need to become a permanent reminder of a holiday mishap. The company uses fabric-specific methods that combine advanced wet cleaning with modern, PERC-free dry cleaning systems to treat stains safely and effectively.
Each garment is evaluated individually to determine the safest process, whether that involves gentle water-based care or hydrocarbon cleaning designed to protect structure, trims, and finishes. Acting quickly gives professionals the best chance to restore garments fully.
Consumers can contact Sunny Cleaners at 843-938-5967 or schedule a FREE Pickup and Delivery Service to book professional dry cleaning services in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
