It’s safe to assume that you, like most others, look forward to a steaming mug of coffee first thing in the morning. Yet, mishaps do occur, and occasionally that coffee does wind up pouring down your clothes, leaving behind a permanent stain. As we know a coffee drinker can spill coffee anywhere. There is yet hope; this is not the end of the world. You can make clothes stained by coffee look as good as new with the appropriate detergent and simple tricks.
This article will cover a few tried-and-true techniques for removing both fresh and dried coffee stains from clothing of various fabrics. For that reason, if you need to remove a coffee mark, keep reading for helpful advice.
Are Coffee Stains Permanent?
A dark coffee mark may be alarming at first glance, but the good news is that it doesn’t last forever if you know what to do and get to them quickly after they happen. You can remove them from most fabrics.
In most cases, blotting the stained area with an absorbent cloth and rinsing it with water will eliminate it. Coffee gets its brown color from tannin pigments that have bonded to water molecules, making them opaque. To get rid of the color, you need to get the brown tannins to dissolve in the water again so you can flush them away.
How to Get Coffee Stains out of Clothes
If you’re a coffee lover, you know that spills and stains on your clothes are inevitable. ZIPS Dry Cleaners’ director of store profitability, Kathleen Razmus, claims that with the proper care, 95% of brown spots can be removed, even from white t-shirts and jeans. If you need to remove coffee stains, follow these easy instructions.
For your ease, we’ve broken down how to remove coffee stains by the type of fabric (synthetic and cotton fabrics) below.
Efficient Method for Removing Coffee Stains on Cotton, Cotton Blends, and Linen Fabrics
It’s vital to act fast and follow these methods to clean coffee stains on clothing:
- Dishwashing detergent
- Powder detergent
- Bleach
- Vinegar
- Toothbrush
- Any Blotting material
Blotting the Coffee Pigment
Applying pressure with a clean, absorbent cloth, blot the coffee out of the stain as much as possible. Use a paper towel or tissues to blot up the coffee as soon as possible.
Rinse and Scrub with Cold Water
If you want to prevent the coffee from seeping through the fabric, run cool water from the faucet behind the fabric as soon as you notice it. For the next 10 to 12 minutes, or until the water coming from the back of the stain is clear, continue running cool water through it.
Proceed to the next step for the old and dried coffee spots that need to be cleaned in the previous one.
Lather Coffee Stain with Liquid Detergent
You may remove the spot by rubbing liquid dish soap, liquid laundry detergent, and water into the area. It will help if you give a window of three to five minutes for fresh spots to set. You can wait longer, but make sure it doesn’t dry out.
After rubbing in the liquid detergent, you’ll need to soak the clothing in water to clean coffee stains.
For best results, repeat this process of gently rubbing the stained fabric with your thumb and fingertips every five minutes. After letting it soak in cold water for 30 minutes, examine the discolored area. If the coffee stain persists after washing, soak the item in warm water for five to fifteen minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
Use Laundry Powder Instead
Make a paste out of powdered laundry detergent, white vinegar, and water if the spot persists.
Make sure it doesn’t change the fabric’s color by trying it out on the garment first. You can remove it by scrubbing it with an old toothbrush. Ensure a complete rinse of the fabric.
Clean and Dry
Ensure the coffee stain is completely removed; if any residue remains, repeat the treatment before drying. Let clothes air-dry(Do not machine dry; it will set the stains permanently and make them difficult to remove.). Hold the dried clothing to a light if you’ve repeated the treatment steps to look for stains. You must remove any discoloration. Repeat the powdered detergent step, wash, and air-dry if needed.
Mix 1/4 cup bleach and 1-gallon water on white clothing for the remaining spots. Soak for 5 minutes, then rinse.
You can use a stain cleaner spray or a laundry detergent with oxygen bleach for pre-wash treatment. Gel spot removers work by coating and penetrating the color and fibers of the fabric. Leave it alone for five minutes. Just treat it with your regular laundry.
Efficient Method for Removal of Coffee Stains on Man-made Materials or Synthetic Fabrics
Cotton and linen aren’t as spot-resistant as synthetic fabrics like acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, polyester, spandex, and olefin, making them a more complex cleaning task. Since they are delicate fabrics so, it is equally important to act quickly in this case, as fresh stains that are still damp are much easier to remove than dried, set-in stains.
- Vinegar
- Rubbing alcohol
- Liquid soap
- Any Blotting material
- Sponge
To Begin, Blot the Area
Start with blotting the coffee stain with a clean, white cloth to absorb as much coffee as possible. By doing this, you will be able to prevent the stains from spreading.
Soak the Fabric
Next, mix a solution of one part water and dish soap. Dab the mixture onto the stain using a clean, white cloth, careful not to rub it in. The dish soap will help to loosen the stain.
Warm Water Rinsing
Be sure to rinse the fabric in warm (not hot) water. Check the cloth for any lingering stains; it might need a good soak and rinse to remove the stains.
Vinegar for Tough Stain Removal
If the stain is still present, you can try using a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Gently rub the mixture to the stain using a clean, white cloth, and allow it to sit for several minutes. The vinegar will help to break down the stain.
Using a Rag / Sponge, Blot the Remaining Stain
Use a sponge dampened with alcohol to wipe out the remaining stain on the fabric. Use a blotting motion instead of rubbing on fragile textiles.
Wash the Material
Once the stain is gone, launder the item in the usual wash cycle. Be sure to follow the care instructions on the fabric, as some synthetic materials may be prone to shrinking or fading if washed in hot water or dried on high heat.
Always test a small, inconspicuous spot before applying any cleaning material to the entire stain, as some cleaning agents can damage synthetic fibers.
How to Remove Coffee Stains from Carpet
Carpets are harder to clean because you can’t run water over them. Here’s a guide to removing coffee marks from carpets.
- Warm water with detergent
- Spotting supplies
- Carpet Shampoo
- Toothbrush or stain removal brush
- Blotting paper or cloth
Instructions
- First, You should use paper towels or rags to soak up as much of the coffee spill as possible from the carpet.
- Apply lukewarm water to the affected area (if the water is too hot, there is a danger that it will help the coffee stain to set).
- You can make a dishwashing solution by combining soap, white vinegar, and warm water.
- Avoid using fluorescent detergents. If you don’t have carpet shampoo, use non-bleach detergent or washing powder.
- After cleaning, rinse the area. Repeat blotting with clean water from a spray bottle or sponge until the cleaning solution and stains are gone.
- Finally, dry the area. Apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth or towel and a weight. Leave for several hours until dry.
How to Remove Coffee Stains from Couche and Upholstery
Couches or upholstery can be treated the same way as clothing to remove coffee stains. It would be best to use rags or paper towels first to absorb liquid from the stained area.
- A dry towel or rag
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Vinegar
Instructions
- Use paper towels or a dry rag to soak up coffee spills from the surface.
- Combine one tablespoon of dish soap, one tablespoon of vinegar, and two cups of warm water.
- Blot the mixture onto the stain using a clean, white cloth. (Use something new and clean, like a paper towel, to wipe up the spill to prevent any color transfer.)
- If the stain is stubborn, repeat the process to get rid of it.
- Sponge the area with cold water and a clean cloth.
- Use a clean towel to blot the area dry.
Warning: “Do not rub the stain, as this can damage the cloth.”
How to Remove Coffee Stains from Cups and Mugs
Coffee stains on cups and mugs can make them look unappealing. This guide will show you step by step how to remove the coffee stains from your cups and mugs. Whether you’re dealing with a stubborn stain or just want to freshen them up, this guide has you covered.
- Vinegar
- Bicarbonate Soda / Baking Soda
- Dish wash liquid
Instructions
- Rinse coffee from the cup or mug with water.
- Make a bicarbonate soda-water paste.
- Leave the paste on the stain for 10 minutes.
- Circularly scrub the paste into the stain with a sponge or scrub brush.
- Rinse with cold water.
- Repeat steps 2-5 times until the stain is gone.
- Use equal amounts of vinegar and water to remove stubborn marks.
- Scrub the cup or mug gently to avoid damage.
How to Remove Coffee Stains from Car Seats
With the correct tools, you can remove coffee stains on automobile seats.
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Dishwashing liquid
- Towels
- Stiff-bristled brush (optional)
Instructions
- Blot the excess coffee from the spot using a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Mix equal amounts of cold water and vinegar.
- Gently wipe the discoloration with the water-vinegar solution. Avoid spreading the stain by working from the outside in.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the discoloration.
- Scrub the stain using a stiff-bristled brush and baking soda.
- Blot the soda on leftover spots with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Clean the area with liquid dish soap and water.
- Dry the area with a clean towel.
- If the stain remains after following the above steps, leave the baking soda on it for up to 30 minutes to allow it to work into the stain.
Low- or neutral-pH dish soap is best for leather car seats. Blot, don’t brush (this can wear down the seats). Baking soda is the best cleaner for vinyl. Light-colored cloth seats work best with this method. White vinegar and water also work.
Other Common Solutions for Removing Coffee Stains
Here are some additional strategies for eradicating coffee stains.
Salt and Lemon Juice
Make a paste with equal portions of each. After letting the paste sit for a few minutes, clean coffee stains with a brush or sponge. Rinse with cold water.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
This coffee stain removal method works well on old marks. Make a paste with equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. After letting the paste sit for a few minutes, clean the stain with a brush or sponge. Rinse with cold water.
Alcohol with Water
A mix of equal parts water and alcohol can remove spots on surfaces that can tolerate it. Scrub the stain with a cloth or brush after applying the solution. Wash and dry the area.
Toothpaste
To remove espresso-like coffee stains, you can use toothpaste because it has an exfoliating effect. Lightly rub toothpaste into the fabric using an old toothbrush, then rinse. Make sure to use white toothpaste.
Shaving Cream
A can of shaving cream isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when trying to get rid of coffee spots. The surfactants and cleansing agents in shaving cream are similar to those in ordinary hand soaps. The shaving cream can be rubbed into the stain, rinsed off with water, and sanded if necessary to remove the coffee.
Baby Powder
Baby powder can help remove marks. You can use it with a damp cloth.
Egg Yolk
Many swear by this stain remover. Beat an egg yolk and rub it into the stain for a minute. Rinse well to remove the stain.
Baby Wipes
You can try using baby wipes on fresh coffee marks to absorb as much excess coffee as possible, but only if they aren’t too stubborn to remove. Baby wipes are handy to have on hand for a quick clean-up.
Final Thought
Coffee marks on clothes can be a frustrating problem, but you can remove them with the proper techniques and products. First, acting quickly and blotting the fresh stain to remove coffee is essential. Next, try combining laundry detergent, white vinegar, or a specialized stain remover to break down the stain.
Before treating the entire stain, examine a tiny, inconspicuous area. Each surface may react differently to various treatments. With a little effort and the right tools, you can successfully remove coffee stains from your clothes and have them look new again.
Now that you know how to remove coffee stains from just about everything, you’re no longer restricted in where and when you can enjoy a cup of coffee, espresso, or whatever you want!
How to Remove Coffee Stains
Equipment
- Toothbrush
- Any Blotting material
Materials
- Dishwashing detergent
- Powder detergent
- Bleach
- Vinegar
Instructions
Blotting the Coffee Pigment
- Applying pressure with a clean, absorbent cloth, blot the coffee out of the stain as much as possible. Use a paper towel or tissues to blot up the coffee as soon as possible.
Rinse and Scrub with Cold Water
- If you want to prevent the coffee from seeping through the fabric, run cool water from the faucet behind the fabric as soon as you notice it. For the next 10 to 12 minutes, or until the water coming from the back of the stain is clear, continue running cool water through it. Proceed to the next step for the old and dried coffee spots that need to be cleaned in the previous one.
Lather Coffee Stain with Liquid Detergent
- You may remove the spot by rubbing liquid dish soap, liquid laundry detergent, and water into the area. It will help if you give a window of three to five minutes for fresh spots to set. You can wait longer, but make sure it doesn’t dry out. After rubbing in the liquid detergent, you’ll need to soak the clothing in water to clean coffee stains.For best results, repeat this process of gently rubbing the stained fabric with your thumb and fingertips every five minutes. After letting it soak in cold water for 30 minutes, examine the discolored area. If the coffee stain persists after washing, soak the item in warm water for five to fifteen minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
Use Laundry Powder Instead
- Make a paste out of powdered laundry detergent, white vinegar, and water if the spot persists.Make sure it doesn’t change the fabric’s color by trying it out on the garment first. You can remove it by scrubbing it with an old toothbrush. Ensure a complete rinse of the fabric.
Clean and Dry
- Ensure the coffee stain is completely removed; if any residue remains, repeat the treatment before drying. Let clothes air-dry(Do not machine dry; it will set the stains permanently and make them difficult to remove.). Hold the dried clothing to a light if you’ve repeated the treatment steps to look for stains. You must remove any discoloration. Repeat the powdered detergent step, wash, and air-dry if needed.Mix 1/4 cup bleach and 1-gallon water on white clothing for the remaining spots. Soak for 5 minutes, then rinse.
Notes
Nicholas’ coffee journey started at a very young age, as it has always been a part of his family. His parents operated five coffee shops throughout upstate New York during his childhood. Nicholas brings with him over 15 years of experience in the beverage industry, where he has held various sales and marketing roles at both domestic and international companies.
Your method was effective when I implemented it.