How to Remove Fresh Coffee or Tea Stains From Fabrics

Virtually all stains can be more effectively removed if they're dealt with immediately. But the manner in which you attend to those stains while they're fresh can make all the difference. Gor instance, if you rinse an egg stain immediately with hot water, you can actually set the stain permanently. As for coffee and tea, there is a very interesting first-response technique that is tried-and-true. It's probably not something you would automatically think to do, but it's a good trick to have in your back pocket when you need it.

Things You'll Need

• Teapot
• Water
• Bowl
• Large rubber band
• Washing machine
• Clothes dryer
• Laundry detergent
• Oven range or heating pad

Instructions

1. As soon as possible after the coffee or tea stain has been made, remove the garment. If the stain is on a tablecloth or some other fabric, take it immediately to the kitchen.

2. Fill a teapot with water and put it on the stove or heating pad over high heat. Heat the water until it comes to a boil.

3. While the water is heating, lay the stained part of the fabric over the opening of a clean, empty bowl. Stretch the fabric tight across the opening and put a large rubber band around the outside of the bowl to hold it in place. The fabric needs to be stretched tightly over the bowl, much like a head on a drum. Put this bowl and the fabric in the kitchen sink.

4. When the water is at a full boil, remove the teapot from the heat. Hold the teapot about 3 feet over the bowl and slowly pour the boiling water onto the stain from this height. Be sure to distribute the water evenly over all areas of the stain as you pour.

5. After all of the water has been poured, set the teapot aside and tip the bowl so that the water that has accumulated inside will pour out through the fabric. Remove the rubber band from the bowl and take the fabric out of the sink, being careful not to burn yourself.

6. Put the garment in the washing machine immediately. If you have other similarly-colored laundry waiting to be washed, you can wash it all together, but don't save the stained garment for a later time. Wash it with the same detergent and water temperature configuration that you would typically use. If you have a special laundry product designed to be applied to tough stains prior to washing, you may use it before starting the wash cycle.

7. When the garment has completed the wash cycle, the stain should be gone. Dry the item in the dryer or hang it up to air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're concerned about burning yourself while pouring the boiling water, put on a pair of thick rubber dish washing gloves first.

• Do not attempt this technique on fabrics that are labeled as "dry clean only." Take these items to a dry cleaner as soon as possible.

• Be very careful as you pour the boiling water, as it will likely splatter up a few inches as it hits the tightly stretched fabric.