Coffee stains are one of the most common household accidents. Whether it's a stain on your favorite shirt, the carpet, or upholstered furniture, a coffee stain can be an eyesore. But don't worry, we'll give you some effective methods to remove these stains, so your clothes and furniture will be as good as new.

Removing coffee stains from clothing

If you've just spilled coffee on your clothing, it's best to start immediately with lukewarm water. Soaking your garment immediately in a bowl of lukewarm water will help the stain fade and, in some cases, even disappear completely. If there are still small residues, or you're unable to soak the fabric directly in lukewarm water, use one of the following cleaning methods:

Solution 1: Special cleaners

The best and most effective way to remove stubborn and old coffee stains from your clothing is with a specialized stain remover, such as one from HG, Ecolab, or Dr. Beckmann. These products penetrate deep into the fabric fibers and effectively loosen the coffee stains. Read the instructions carefully before using these specialized cleaners to ensure they work properly.

Solution 2: Ox gall soap

Ox gall soap is a traditionally powerful cleaning agent that can be used on a wide variety of stains, including coffee. Apply the gall soap to the coffee stain, rubbing gently, but be sure to use circular motions and work from the outside in. Failure to do so could potentially spread the stain. Never let the gall soap dry; rinse with warm water and machine wash the garment.

Solution 3: Salt or baking soda

You can pre-treat clothes with still-damp coffee stains with salt or baking soda before washing. Both products are highly absorbent, allowing them to soak up the coffee residue when applied to the stain. You'll need to use a generous amount and allow it to soak in for about 10 minutes. Remove the salt or baking soda residue before washing the garment in the washing machine. Because a large portion of the coffee has already been drawn out of the fabric, the garment will come out much cleaner.

Solution 4: Sparkling water

You can remove fresh coffee stains with sparkling water, such as Spa Red. The carbon dioxide in the sparkling water effectively removes the coffee. So, quickly after a spill, apply a generous amount of sparkling water to the stain and use a cloth to dab the water deeper into the fabric fibers. This will almost completely remove the stain. You can remove any remaining residue by washing the garment on a regular cycle.

Solution 5: White vinegar

For this cleaning method, you'll need a clean cloth and undiluted white vinegar. Use the cloth to dab the vinegar onto the coffee stain. Repeat until the large visible stains are gone, then wash the garment according to the care instructions to remove any residue. If this doesn't work, you can also soak the garment overnight in a mixture of three parts vinegar and one part cold water. This is also a good solution for dried-in coffee stains.

Solution 6: Alcohol

Dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol or another strong (clear) liquid and rub it over the coffee stain until it fades. We recommend washing the garment afterward for best results.

Solution 7: Baby wipes

Finally, coffee stains can be removed with baby wipes. These absorb the liquid. Therefore, you should only use this method for fresh, still-damp coffee stains. Use the baby wipes to dab over the stains, removing as much coffee residue as possible before washing the garment.

Removing coffee stains from carpet or furniture

If you've just spilled coffee on your clothing, it's best to start immediately with lukewarm water. Soaking your garment immediately in a bowl of lukewarm water will help the stain fade and, in some cases, even disappear completely. If there are still small residues, or you don't have the option of soaking the fabric directly in lukewarm water, use one of the following cleaning methods: Removing coffee stains from carpet or furniture

Solution 1: Stain removers

You can also use a special stain remover, such as HG Extra Strong Stain Spray, to remove coffee stains from carpet or upholstered furniture. This product is specifically designed for removing coffee stains and other stubborn stains. Apply it to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe the fabric with a clean, damp cloth. Make sure to rinse and dry the surface thoroughly afterward.

Solution 2: Baby wipes

Use baby wipes to remove (fresh) coffee stains from fabrics that aren't machine washable. These wipes are highly absorbent, effectively removing coffee residue. Place several wet wipes on the stain and let them sit for about 5 minutes, or gently rub the stain (always from the outside in!) until it's completely faded.

Solution 3: Beer

It might sound strange, but you can remove coffee stains from your carpet using beer. Pour beer over the stain and gently massage it into the fabric. You may need to repeat this process a few times for the best result. By thoroughly treating the fabric with cold water and letting it dry, you'll ensure the beer smell disappears and your carpet looks perfect again.

Solution 4: White vinegar

You can remove coffee stains from your carpet with a mixture of two parts vinegar and one part water. When applying this, it's important not to scrub, but to rub gently. Then rinse the carpet thoroughly with water and repeat until the coffee stain is completely gone.

Conclusion

Removing a coffee stain from fabric is always a tedious task. Whether it's on your favorite blouse, the living room carpet, or your brand-new sofa, it's crucial to act quickly and apply one of our solutions immediately after the spill. If one solution doesn't work, try another right away. This gives you the best chance of removing the coffee stain!