How to Remove Coffee Stains From an Auto Interior

Coffee spills can cause stains.

Many people like to start their day, or rev up the afternoon, with a cup of coffee. Often this cup of coffee is consumed while driving. One bump or quick stop can spill the coffee and stain the car's interior. Common household supplies can remove coffee stains and odors from auto interiors.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton or terry cloths
• White vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Glass cleaner
• Leather cleaner (optional)
• Scrub brush
• Baking soda
• Vacuum cleaner

Instructions

1. Blot any coffee stains on the floor carpeting with clean, absorbent cotton or terry cloths. Frequently move to a clean section of the cloth, or use a new cloth, until as much of the coffee is absorbed as possible.

2. 

   A spray bottle applies cleaner evenly and thoroughly.

   Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. Spray the vinegar directly onto the coffee-stained carpet, wetting the carpet thoroughly. Let the vinegar sit on the carpets while you clean the upholstery, steering wheel, or other vinyl, plastic or rubber surfaces where coffee has spilled.

3. Mist glass cleaner onto non-fabric and non-carpeted surfaces. Wipe the glass cleaner, coffee stain and any sticky residue from cream and sugar with a clean cloth. Press the cleaning cloth into crevices between seat cushions to get to all of the coffee.

4. 

   Leather seats should be cleaned with leather cleaner.

   Use leather cleaner to clean coffee stains off any leather surfaces inside your car.

5. Blot up the vinegar-soaked coffee stain with a clean, absorbent cloth. Frequently turn to a clean part of the cloth, blotting until there's no further transfer of coffee to cloth.

6. Open car windows, if possible, and allow the interior to dry for a few hours or overnight.

7. 

   Get down into fibers using a scrub brush.

   Liberally sprinkle baking soda to persistent coffee stains in the carpeting and work in with a scrub brush. Let the baking soda sit for 10 to 15 minutes to absorb stains and odors out of the carpet fibers.

8. Vacuum your car's carpeting to remove all traces of baking soda and any remnants of stain and odor.

Tips & Warnings

• Get to your destination first, if driving, then worry about cleaning up coffee spills.

References

• Stain Expert: Dealing With Tea and Coffee Stains
• Volcanica Coffee: How To Remove Coffee Stains