In the "random things you should know category": Sprinkling generous amounts of table salt directly onto a red wine stain does wonders to remove it. I should know -- it worked for me! Oh how I love thee interweb.

💬 Comments from the original post

Eric Skiff · 2006-04-11 11:30:34

I was taught this exact trick by one of my cousins this past summer. At around 3 AM on the night after my other cousins (her sisters) wedding, we'd, *ahem* had a bit to drink, and were playing some poker. I clumsily knocked a full glass of red wine all over the expensive, felt covered poker table, and next think I knew, we were pouring tons and tons of salt on it. I never would have believed that it would work so well, but in the morning, the stain was much better. After some scrubbing, you had to look for the stain to find it!

Drew McLellan · 2006-04-11 14:26:27

So, if you're like me, you first found that out in a mad panic-induced google, mere seconds after an entire glass of red wine got knocked onto your new big white rug. And yeah, it works. ;) In fact, I think it was that same article I found at the time.

Danny · 2006-04-11 15:04:38

Yep, it's something I've had occasion to use in the past, though can't be sure that liberal application of (cold) water might have been the effective bit. But if you look further than "I'm feeling lucky" you will find the opposite view, that salt can act as a fixative, ensuring the dye will never come out.

FactoryJoe · 2006-04-11 16:01:15

Actually -- it's kind of funny. I read that tidbit a long time ago and when I spilled some wine on my shirt last night, for some reason, remembered it... the mind recalls in funny ways. Why is that I can remember such an odd technique as that but not people's name consistently? What is that makes one thing more "sticky" than something else... curious for sure. What's the anti-salt for memory? (or is it salts!?)

Leo-oo- · 2006-04-12 00:30:09

Grandmas hints are still the best ;-)

Alex · 2006-04-13 10:17:13

Yeah, I saw this on Curb Your Enthusiasm.