How to Remove Coffee Stains from Clothes, According to Experts
I drink so much coffee that I believe it truly runs through my veins. I start every morning by filling a large tumbler with iced coffee (plus a double shot of espresso) expertly made using my Nespresso. As I get ready for my day, that tumbler is attached to me like an IV, and I indulge in at least two more rounds throughout the day.
Where am I going with this? A lot of havoc in my life is thanks to coffee stains. At least once a week, coffee splatters onto my shirt, coat, carpet, upholstery in my car … you get the jist. Removing coffee stains is maddening and frustrating — especially the longer it sits. Forrest Webber, founder of Bear Brothers Cleaning in Alabama, says coffee stains are so stubborn because they contain tannins, which are great for flavor but terrible for fabrics. “They bond with the fibers of your clothes and towels like an uninvited guest at a party,” he explains. “The trick is to break up that bond before it becomes unshakeable.”
Coffee stains have ruined enough of my light-color tops that I knew it was time to turn to the experts and get definitive, step-by-step advice on how to remove coffee stains. According to Alex Varela, general manager of Dallas Maids cleaning service, attacking the stain as soon as possible is your best course of action. If you wait too long, the stain could become permanent. Here’s everything you need to know about removing coffee stains, stat!
3 Steps for Getting Out Stains in Real Time, According to an Expert
Blot: If you see in real time that you have stained your clothing with coffee, react immediately. According to Webber, “Grab a clean cloth or paper towel and blot the stain — and really blot — don’t rub, as that will only worsen, turning a little mess into a crime scene.”
Cold water: Run cold water over the stain from the back of the fabric. “Think of it as a reverse coffee waterfall, gently coaxing that stain out instead of letting it dig deeper,” says Webber. “Hot water at this stage? Nope. That’s like giving the stain a warm hug; it’ll settle in and stay forever.”
Lather, rinse — but don’t repeat (yet): Apply a dollop of dish soap or laundry detergent directly onto the stain. Webber says, “Massage it like you’re treating the fabric to a tiny spa day and then let it sit for five to 10 minutes. Then rinse with cold water.” If the stain is still there, don’t worry — there’s backup.
How Effective Is This 3-Step Method?
I feared that one of my favorite white T-shirts was ruined after splattering coffee onto it. I sprung into action and followed all the above steps. I blotted, rinsed in cold water, and added a dollop of dish soap. Guess what? My shirt looks brand new!
Getting Out Baked-in Stains
If you’re unable to attack a fresh stain and make it disappear, all hope is not lost for coffee stains that have been hanging around for a while. It just takes a little more patience. Here’s what the experts recommend.
Baking soda and white vinegar: Mix baking soda and water in a paste, rub it onto the stain, and let it sit for 15 minutes. “It’s like a coffee stain exorcism — out, darn spot!” says Webber. If you prefer a liquid approach, Webber says to try a 1:1 mix of white vinegar (skip the baking soda!) and water, dabbing it onto the stain. “Just be ready for a slight vinegar smell — it’s a small price to pay for stain-free glory,” he says.
Water, vinegar, and dish soap (if the stain is still there): If after trying the baking soda and white vinegar step, the stain is still there, mix 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of vinegar and 5 to 10 drops of Dawn dish soap, says Varela. Apply the solution with a spray bottle, let sit for 2 minutes, and blot the stain with a microfiber towel, then dry with a clean towel. You might need to reapply the solution a few times until the stain comes out.
Oxiclean: If this still doesn’t work, Varela says to then mix Oxiclean, water, and Dawn dish soap until you form a thick paste, apply, and remove after 5 minutes.
How to Treat Coffee Stains Before Adding to the Laundry
Varela always recommends trying to remove the stain before putting your item in the washer. “During the wash cycle, add a scoop of oxygen-based bleach Oxiclean (but really any brand is OK), and then let dry — do not use hot water because that will set the stain even more.”
OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover (3 Pounds)
Amazon
$9.28
Further Reading
We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Ice Cream, and They All Said the Same Thing
The One Cookware Brand That Gordon Ramsay Can’t Stop Talking About
