Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Alaina DiGiacomo/rd.com A good glass of Merlot is one of the greatest pleasures in life—until it ends up on your light-colored carpet or favorite shirt. These expert strategies for red wine stain removal will help you get the reddish-purple stuff out of anything. There’s nothing more nerve-wracking than sitting on a white couch or mingling at a crowded party with a glass of red wine in your hand. Red wine spills may be inevitable, but red wine stains aren’t. So don’t panic. Here’s what you need to know to get red wine stains out of everything from your clothes to your countertops—because knowing how to remove stains is a total game-changer.