How To Remove Alcohol Stains

It is easy to get alcohol stains on your clothes, upholstery or fabric, especially at parties, so below are step by step instructions for removing them.

Please note, however, that alcoholic beverages many times contain more ingredients than just alcohol, such as the mixers contained in the drink.

If you are having trouble removing alcohol stains using the suggestions below, go ahead and explore the rest of this A-Z Stain Removal Guide looking for suggestions on how to remove the other ingredients in your drink that may be the stubborn part of the stain.

This is especially true if you have spilled a red alcoholic drink, or other brightly colored alcoholic beverage, which has caused a stain.

Below I've added some helpful links to common mixers, as well as specific instructions for removing specific types of alcoholic beverages.

How To Remove Alcohol Stains From Fabric

Step 1: Soak the stained fabric in cool water for approximately half an hour.

Step 2: Pretreat the stain with a laundry stain remover.

Step 3: Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain, and either chlorine bleach if the fabric will allow it, or color safe bleach if not.

Hint: Make sure the stain is gone after washing, but before you place in the dryer or you may set the stain. Repeat if necessary.

Please note that the clearer the alcohol the easier it is to remove the stain (and if it's really clear alcohol it is less likely to stain at all!). When you've got an alcohol with an amber or darker color, such as whiskey, scotch, or even gold tequila, the more important it is to treat the stain quickly, and the more you may need to presoak or pretreat the spot.

Removing Stains Caused By Alcohol From Upholstery

Step 1: Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid.

Step 2: Using this solution, sponge the spot with a clean white cloth.

Step 3: Next, blot at the solution until the liquid is absorbed.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 until the stain is removed from the upholstery.

Step 5: Now that it is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

An alternative method for removing stains caused by alcohol from your upholstery is to use, instead of the dishwashing liquid solution, a solution of two-thirds of a cup of rubbing alcohol and one tablespoon of white vinegar.

Hint: With either method be sure to get the upholstery only as wet as necessary to remove the stain from the alcohol.

You can get more information on how to clean upholstery here.

Alcohol Stain Removal From Carpet

The instructions for removing stains from carpet caused by alcohol is the same as for upholstery, in regard to using the dishwashing liquid solution.

If you want, you can add a tablespoon of white vinegar to this solution, for use on your carpet.

Stain Removal Guide Links For Removing Specific Alcoholic Drinks & Common Mixers

As mentioned above, sometimes checking out the instructions for specific drinks can be helpful, so here are more articles you may want to check out:

• Red wine stain removal guide
• Beer stain removal guide
• Soda and cola stain removal guide
• Fruit and vegetable juice stain removal guide

Get Even More Stain And Spot Removal Help Here

Are you a stain magnet like me? If so, check out the A to Z Stain Removal Guide which gives directions for how to remove over 100 types of stains from all kinds of surfaces.

Third photo by gromgull and fourth photo by .LarryPage

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A-Z Guide: Step By Step Instructions For Removing Over 100 Types Of Stains

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CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only. It is provided as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains and messes just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some cleaning methods can harm your item, so if what you want to clean or launder is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.