How to Use Quinine Water to Remove Wine Stains

Written By
Paul Dohrman
Paul Dohrman
Published: Nov 9, 2009
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

The carbonation is thought to lift the stain, as opposed to sinking it down into the carpet.

  1. Pour some tonic (quinine) water on top of the stain, once the stain has dried.

  2. Blot the stain with a terry cloth, paper towels or rags. Don’t rub it. Rubbing the stain defeats the purpose of the carbonation.

  3. Repeat until the stain is gone.

  4. Use warm (not hot) water and a mild detergent to get the sugars of the wine and salts of the tonic water out.

  5. Place a few towels on top of the water spot. Then place a heavy object, like a stack of books, on the towels to get the remaining moisture out. Allow it to sit like this overnight.

Tips

White wine may be a more effective treatment than tonic water, according to Southern Grace Gourmet. The dry cleaners may be another worthwhile option of last resort.

Within the variations of the quinine-water variety, club soda is generally viewed as the best.

Paul Dohrman

Paul Dohrman's academic background is in physics and economics. He has professional experience as an educator, mortgage consultant, and casualty actuary. His interests include development economics, technology-based charities, and angel…

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