How To Remove Cranberry Stains

Cranberry stains, cranberry sauce and cranberry juice stains, like all red stains, can be difficult to remove once they set.

Therefore, one of the most important tips for cranberry stain removal is to act as quickly as possible to remove the stain.

However, even if you don't get to the spot for a while, with some patience and effort you will most likely be able to remove (or significantly lighten) the stain.

Below are step by step instructions for how to remove cranberry juice stains and stains from other delicacies, such as cranberry sauce stains, from fabric, upholstery and carpet.

How To Remove Cranberry Juice And Sauce Stains From Clothing

Step 1: Rinse the excess liquid from the fabric, and flush the stained area with cool water, being careful not to spread the stain further.

Step 2: Make a solution of half a teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent, mixed with a tablespoon of white vinegar, and a quart of cool water. Let the stained fabric soak in this solution for about 15 minutes.

Step 3: Thoroughly rinse the fabric with clear cool water.

Step 4: If a spot is still visible the next step is to apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto the stained area, and then rinse the fabric with water again, thoroughly.

Step 5: 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 it. Repeat if necessary.

Further, you may also like this video on how to remove berry stains from clothing, which includes tips for using boiling water, lemon juice, glycerin, and denatured alcohol for berry stain removal.

Cranberry Stain Removal From Upholstery

Step 1: Blot up as much of the cranberry juice as possible, being careful not to spread the spot further.

Step 2: Mix a solution of 2/3 of a cup of rubbing alcohol and one tablespoon of white vinegar.

Step 3: Using this solution, sponge the spot with a clean white cloth.

Step 4: Next, blot at the stain until the liquid is absorbed.

Step 5: Repeat steps 3-4 until the stains are removed from the upholstery.

Step 6: Now that the stain 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.

Hint: Be sure to get the upholstery only as wet as necessary to remove the stain from the cranberries.

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

Removing Cranberry Stains From Carpet

The instructions for removal of cranberry sauce and juice stains from carpet is the same as for upholstery.

However, if you don't have luck with this stain removal method above you have two options:

First, you can mix a solution of one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups warm water, and try that.

Please note though that ammonia and vinegar, because one is an alkali and the other an acid, will neutralize one another, so thoroughly rinse the alcohol/vinegar solution before trying the ammonia solution.

Second, you can try mixing a solution of one tablespoon of liquid dish soap and two cups of warm water, and use this.

Please note that this detergent solution may be milder on your carpet than the alcohol/vinegar solution, so you may want to try it first.

You may also find this video on how to remove fruit juice stains from carpet helpful.

Recommended Cranberry Stain Removers

Perhaps you don't want to make your own stain remover, but instead want to use something designed for removing cranberry stains. Don't forget the suggestions above for natural or home remedies though.

Here are some articles and reviews on this site which discuss various products that are designed for removing berry stains:

Oxiclean Powder

Carbona Stain Devil #8

Taylor's Stain Rx Review

Tide To Go Pen

White Bar Soap For Pretreating

Biz Powder

You can also share your own stain remover reviews here for other removers that work on cranberries, or any other stain.

Submit Your Own Stain Removal Tip For Cranberries

Do you have your own stain removal tip for removing cranberry stains? If so, submit your tip about removing stains caused by berries here, or read other tips already submitted.

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 karenandbrademerson and fourth photo by vieux bandit, from Flickr CC

Related Pages You May Enjoy

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

How To Remove Thanksgiving Stains

Go From Guide To Removing Cranberry Stains To Home Page

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.