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.

Table of Contents

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:

Materials Required

Tools Required

Step No :

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.

Step No :

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.

Step No :

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.

Step No :

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.

Step No :

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.

Bonus Tip: Pre-wash Treatment with Stain Remover

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.

Materials Required

Tools Required

Step No :

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.

Step No :

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.

Step No :

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.

Step No :

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.

Step No :

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.

Step No :

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.

What you'll need:

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.

What you'll need:

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.

What you'll need:

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.

What you'll need:

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.

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

Coffee stains can be a stubborn and persistent problem, whether it's on your clothes, carpets, or cups. Removing coffee stains can be a difficult task, but with the right techniques and materials, it's possible to get rid of them effectively. In this guide, we will provide you with a step-by-step process on how to remove coffee stains from different surfaces, including fabrics, carpet, and upholstery.

Prep Time10 mins

Active Time10 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to remove coffee stains

Equipment

Toothbrush
Any Blotting material

Materials

Dishwashing detergent
Powder detergent
Bleach
Vinegar