Does Alcohol Stain Clothes? Prevent Any Alcohol Stains

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Does alcohol stain clothes? Yes, alcohol can stain clothing if left untreated. Wine stains, in particular, need to be dealt with immediately, or else they can leave a distinct stain. The good news is, alcohol stains are relatively easy to deal with.

Here is an important tip to keep in mind when cleaning alcohol stains. Wine, beer, and spirits, are all classified as tannin stains. Unlike protein (blood) and grease stains (oil) which are washed in cold water, wine and beer stains need to be washed in warm water.

Therefore, our best option for all alcohol stains will be to wash them in very hot water. Now that we know the answer to “does alcohol stain clothes”, we will share some valuable information regarding How to Clean Alcohol Stains.

Each of these cleaning methods can be used effectively for beer, wine, or spirits, so use whatever is handy for you.

See Also – Does Ramen Stain & Does Coconut Oil Stain?

Contents

How to Clean Alcohol From Clothing

Now that we know the answer to “Does alcohol stain clothes?”, I wanted to share a few effective methods for removing stains on the go, at home, and with no commercial cleaning supplies.

Beer

At a sports game and spill some beer on yourself after a big goal? Not to fret, as beer stains are very easy to remove if you work on them quickly. Your best bet for the most effective treatment is to spot treat it immediately using a Tide To Go stick combined with water.

  1. Rinse the stain with water
  2. Run Tide To Go over the Beer Stain
  3. Rub it in gently
  4. Re-apply water and Tide to Go as needed.
Tide to Go
Carry Tide to Go and Prevent Stains

If you are at home and beer spills on your shirt, taking care of it is even easier. If the clothing is machine washable, all you need to do is throw it in the laundry. No pre-treatment is needed as most laundry detergents remove beer stains completely.

If you happen to spill a large amount of a dark beer, such as a Guinness, on your shirt, you may need to follow the next method to completely remove stains and scent.

Wine

Now wine stains are a little bit more challenging to clean than beer, especially if it is red wine. To fully clean wine, you need to pre-treat it with something like Oxiclean. Here is our favorite method:

  1. Apply paper towel with pressure to the stain to remove excess liquid
  2. Rinse with water thoroughly to dilute the stain,
  3. Apply a powerful stain remover such as Oxiclean
  4. Let the cleaning solution sit for 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the severity
  5. Wash using cold water in the laundry machine

This is my favorite method for removing wine stains. Do not be too generous with the Oxiclean or cleaning solution. But so far in my experience, any wine stain should be removed. You can use the powerful cleaning technique for any form of tannin stain including wine, tea, and juice.

Spirits

Spirits are more difficult to deal with because they have a higher alcohol content than beer or wine. The rate of evaporation from spirits is higher than wine and beer, making them more difficult to clean.

For this example, we will share a simple method of handwashing alcohol stains on clothing using simple homemade remedies.

Step 1: Soak the clothing in warm water to dilute the stain
Step 2: Combine a mixture of 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup baking soda, and a splash of your favorite soap
Step 2: Scrub the whiskey stain using the aforementioned cleaning
Step 4: Transfer to a new bucket of warm water to rinse until the stain is removed

If you do not have any cleaning products around, or you do not have a laundry machine, this method is to remove them quickly without spoiling your clothing. Otherwise, you can follow one of the examples listed above for beer or wine. It will work just as effectively.

Can Rubbing Alcohol Clean Clothing?

Yes, one of its main purposes is to remove solids from surfaces, and it can be used in the kitchen for cleaning and stain removal as a general-purpose cleaner.

The other major use for rubbing alcohol is its disinfecting properties, which help prevent bacteria and mold in your home or office.

Are Alcohol Stains Permanent?

No, wine and beer stains can be easily and effectively dealt with. If you use the right method, they won’t leave even a mark.

Does Alcohol Stain Clothes Conclusion

Yes, unfortunately, alcohol can stain clothing. I have lost a shirt or two myself from spilling a drink at a party, bar, or sporting event. However, we have outlined multiple methods that will work for cleaning beer, wine, and spirits.

The key takeaway from this article is to use hot water, pre-treat the stain, and treat it as quickly as possible. If you do that, you should be able to preserve your favorite piece of clothing.

We hope this has answered any questions you have regarding, Does Alcohol Stain Clothes?