How to Get Rid of Coffee Stains on Clothes

Blot spilled coffee right away to remove most of the stain.

As a coffee lover, you know that spills on your clothes happen sooner or later, especially if you drink a lot. Despite many attempts to improve on the "spill-proof" takeout lid--as described by Joyce C. Tang in "Tired of leaky lids, coffee guzzlers seek the perfect lid" on Columbia University's Journalism School website--stains seem inevitable. It's helpful, therefore, to know how to treat them.

Things You'll Need

• Coffee-stained clothing
• Clean cloth
• White paper towel
• Warm and cold water
• White, non-bleach hand dishwashing detergent
• White distilled vinegar
• Borax (optional)

Instructions

1. Moisten a clean cloth or white paper towel with warm tap water and blot the coffee stain. Do not rub the stain. Just blot it several times from the outside in. Blot as much of the stain with warm water as possible until you can use additional methods. Use another paper towel or cloth to dry the area.

2. Rinse the coffee stain as soon as possible with cold water.

3. Make a solution of a quarter teaspoon of dish detergent and a quart of warm water when you get home. Make certain the detergent does not contain lanolin. Use this solution to blot the coffee stain, using a clean cloth. Blot from the outside of the coffee stain inward. Rinse with cold water.

4. Mix one part white distilled vinegar with three parts water in a bowl. Wash the stain area in the vinegar solution and rinse well.

5. Wash the clothing as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• If you spilled coffee on nonwashable clothing, blot the stain with warm water only and a clean cloth or paper towel. Dry clean item if the stain does not come out.

• For old coffee stains, make a paste of borax and water and apply it to the stain. Leave the paste on for 15 minutes, and then wash the item as you usually would.

• After going through the blotting procedures and washing your clothing in the washing machine, do not put it in the dryer if the coffee stain remains. Otherwise the heat from the dryer will set the stain. Start the hand-blotting process over and wash it again in the washing machine.

References

• Tired Of Leaky Lids, Coffee Guzzlers Seek The Perfect Fit
• Mrs. Clean: Removing Coffee Stains
• Heloise Hints: Heloise Tackles Holiday Stains
• Volcanica Coffee: How to Remove a Coffee Stain - Coffee Stain Removal Tips

Resources

• Reader's Digest.com: 5 Common Items to Remove Coffee Stains