Eliminating coffee stains may involve a trial-and-error process based on the garment’s fabric. But here’s the good news, there are many effective and easy DIY methods that can help remove coffee stains.
If you begin your day with a mug of coffee, you will inevitably have to learn to take care of spills or drips at some point. Therefore, it is essential to be familiar with the process of stain removal from garments.
Unfortunately, coffee spills usually leave a stubborn, dark and ugly stain—particularly on lighter clothes. But, simple cleaning strategies can help remove these stains using easy-to-find products like bleach and vinegar. We have provided a step-by-step guide to help remove coffee stains—both dried and fresh—at home.
Respond to the spill immediately by flushing the stained area with cold water. If it does not work, you must switch to cleaning products like vinegar, laundry detergent, stain removers and dish soaps. Acting promptly can help the stain come out easily.
Effective stain removal involves diluting and diffusing the brown tannins of coffee in water and driving them out of the garment’s fabric. This process works well on fresh coffee spills. However, older stains should be treated with a mild solvent like vinegar or dishwashing detergent.
If the coffee stain is fresh, place the affected area under the faucet and run cold water through the fabric’s backside to prevent the coffee from penetrating the garment. Continue running cold water from the back for about 10 minutes or until the stain fades away. If you are unable to remove the stain completely, follow the next step.
Without further ado, rub the stained area with liquid dish soap or liquid laundry detergent, and add some cold water to the stain. If the stain is fresh, allow the detergent to sit for 3 to 5 minutes. You may allow it to sit a little longer (depending on the nature of the stain), but don't let the detergent dry.
For older stains, rub the affected area with liquid detergent and soak the garment in water. After every 4 to 5 minutes, rub the stained area gently with your fingers to loosen and dissolve the stain. After soaking for 30 minutes in cold water, check the stain. If it remains, soak the garment in warm water for an additional 15 minutes before thoroughly rinsing.
If the stain remains, concoct a paste-like solution by combining powdered laundry detergent with water and vinegar in equal parts. The solution will help remove the stubborn stain. Before applying it to the affected area, test the solution on the garment to ensure it does not cause discolouration of the fabric. Scrub the stained area with an old toothbrush and thoroughly rinse the garment.
Use a stain remover gel or spray on the stained area; you may alternatively use a store-bought oxygen bleach laundry detergent to help remove the stubborn stain from your garment. Let the stain remover or oxygen bleach sit on the fabric for 5 to 8 minutes. Then rinse the garment in cold water.
Make sure the coffee stain is gone completely. If any residue remains, repeat the process before drying. Air-dry the garment instead of machine drying (the heat emitted by the machine will secure the stain). Check if the brown pigment is completely gone. If you still see signs of discolouration, repeat step four and air-dry.
Don’t allow coffee to ruin your favourite fit. Conquer stubborn coffee stains with these easy cleaning steps.
