Start with the simplest solution: flushing with cold water. And if that doesn’t work, move on to cleaning products, such as laundry detergent, vinegar, dish soap, and stain removers. Acting quickly also can make a big difference in how easily the stain comes out.
With fresh stains, simple rinsing may do the trick. Always check the stained area before tossing the fabric in the dryer. Drying the item on high heat if it is still stained will make the stain even harder to remove.
Try these coffee stain removal tips to get rid of both fresh and dried coffee stains.
How to Remove Coffee Stains From Cotton, Cotton-Blend, and Linen Fabrics
Check the care label on the garment and test any detergent or cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area first to ensure that it does not discolor the fabric. While most cleaning methods are gentle enough for a diverse range of fabrics, knowing an item’s specific care needs will help you choose the best stain removal option.
Rinse With Cold Water
For a fresh stain, run cold water from a faucet through the backside of the fabric to keep the coffee from penetrating the cloth.
Continue to run cold water through the back of the stain for 10 to 15 minutes or until the water running out is completely clear.
If the stain isn’t fully removed, or your stain is old, move on to the next step.
Apply Liquid Detergent
Rub liquid laundry detergent or liquid dish soap and a little cold water into the coffee stain.
Allow fresh stains to sit for three to five minutes. You can let it sit for longer, but don’t let it dry. For old coffee stains, soak the clothing in water after rubbing in the detergent.
Every five minutes, gently rub the stained fabric with your thumb and fingers to loosen the stain.
After 30 minutes of soaking in cold water, check the stained area. If the stain remains, try soaking for five to 15 minutes in warm water before rinsing thoroughly.
Make a Powdered Detergent Paste
If the stain is still there, mix powdered laundry detergent with equal parts white vinegar and water, and turn it into a paste. The paste will lift stubborn stains better than liquid detergent.
Test it on the garment to make sure it doesn’t discolor the fabric.
Use an old toothbrush to scrub the stain.
Rinse the fabric thoroughly.
Pretreat and Wash
Apply a stain remover spray or gel to the coffee stain; you can also use an oxygen bleach laundry detergent as your stain remover.
Let it stand for five minutes.
Wash the garment as you normally would.
Inspect and Dry
Check that the coffee stain is completely removed. If any hint remains, repeat the treatment steps before drying.
Air-dry the clothing. (Do not machine dry the item; the heat will set the stain.)
Inspect the clothing for any trace of the stain by holding the dried clothing up to a light. Make sure that any hint of discoloration is completely removed.
If there’s still discoloration, repeat the powdered detergent step, wash, and air-dry again.
How to Remove Coffee Stains From Synthetic Fabrics
Synthetic fabrics such as acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, polyester, spandex and olefin are often more stain-resistant, and therefore easier to clean than natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. Here, too, it is important to address the stain as quickly as you can, as fresh stains that are still damp are considerably easier to remove than dried, set-in stains.
Use a clean, dry cloth to blot up as much excess coffee as you can. Change cloths as needed, and apply firm pressure until the stained fabric is as dry as possible.
Mix a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon standard dishwashing detergent, and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Soak the fabric in this mixture for 15 minutes.
Rinse the fabric thoroughly under warm (not hot) water. Examine the fabric for remaining stains; in some cases, simple soaking and rinsing may be enough to eliminate the stain entirely.
Using a sponge and rubbing alcohol, blot up any remaining stain on the fabric. On delicate fabrics, use a blotting motion rather than rubbing.
Immediately after blotting, wash the fabric using the washer cycle appropriate to the type of fabric.
After the wash cycle is complete, inspect the fabric while it is still damp. If any trace of stain remains, repeat the above steps until there is no remaining stain visible.
Air-dry the fabric and, again, ensure the stain is completely removed. With synthetic fabrics, it is especially important not to machine-dry the fabric until all traces of stain have been removed.
