How to Remove Tannin Stains

Tannin stains can make garments appear dingy.

Beverages, colognes and washable inks can transfer onto clothing and leave unsightly tannin stains. The high temperatures of beverages, such as coffee and tea, and artificial colorings in soft drinks make tannin stains distinctive from other types of stains. However, like other stains, tannin stains become more permeated and troublesome to clean over time. Promptly treat tannin stains to hinder them from spoiling the garment's appearance. Fortunately, basic materials can remove tannin stains from fabrics.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• White cotton cloth
• 1 tsp. liquid laundry detergent
• Soft bristle brush
• Oxygen bleach

Instructions

1. Blot the tannin stain with clean paper towels to remove excess liquid.

2. Moisten a white cotton cloth with cool water. Blot the fabric with the cloth to absorb as much of the stain as possible. Always apply a clean portion of the cloth to the fabric.

3. Apply 1 tsp. of liquid laundry detergent to the stain. Rub the detergent into the stain with a soft bristle brush.

4. Rinse out the laundry detergent with cool water.

5. Launder the fabric in a washing machine according to the washing instructions on the garment's care tag. Add the amount of oxygen bleach to the wash advised on the product's label.

6. Let the fabric air-dry completely.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute liquid pretreatment stain remover for the liquid laundry detergent.

• Bar soaps and natural detergents can make tannin stains permanent.

References

• The Ohio State University: Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal - Classification of Stains
• Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster - Coffee
• The American Cleaning Institute: Stain Removal Chart - Beverages