How to Remove Coffee Stains From Clothing

Drinking coffee can be a risky endeavor for those bleary-eyed, non-morning people who might accidentally spill it on themselves—especially if you don't know how to remove coffee stains. If you're one of them, you may wonder how to continue guzzling your morning caffeine without fear of destroying your clothes. The good news? We've got some quick coffee stain removal tips. These three foolproof methods using club soda, dish soap, and hot water will make that silky white blouse look good as new.

Considerations Before You Get Started

As with most spills, treating coffee stains as quickly as possible will make a big difference. If the stain is new, act fast; otherwise, it will bond with the fibers. Run cold water over the back of the fabric to keep it from penetrating the garment. Continue until the water running out is completely clear. If you're dealing with a coffee stain that has already set in, you can still usually remove it by diluting it with water and flushing it out of the fabric.

What You Need:

Club Soda Method

• Club soda
• Spray bottle
• Microfiber cloth

Boiling Water Method

• Clean white cloth
• Shatterproof bowl
• Tea kettle

Dish Soap/Laundry Detergent Method

• Dish soap
• Liquid laundry detergent
• Bowl

How to Remove Coffee Stains With Club Soda

Removing coffee stains with club soda is simple, effective, and quick. Here's how to do it.

Step 1: Fill a Spray Bottle With Club Soda and Spritz

Spritz the club soda on the stain. The carbonation lifts the stains and keeps them from settling into the fabric. (You can do without the spray bottle if you are out at a restaurant. Ask the wait person for a glass of club soda, dip a cloth napkin, and blot the stain.)

Step 2: Blot With a Cloth

Blot with a microfiber cloth, starting from the outside of the stain and working your way in. Don't rub, or you could end up setting the stain into the fabric.

Step 3: Rinse

Rinse the stain with water to check if the coffee stain is fully removed. If not, move on to the method below. If the stain is gone, launder the garment according to the care instructions on the label. Then air-dry it.

How to Remove Coffee Stains With Boiling Water

Using boiling water to remove coffee stains is another extremely effective and efficient method. Plus, you don't need to have any supplies on hand, except a faucet!

Step 1: Add Boiling Water to a Bowl

Center the stain over a shatter-proof bowl or pot that can handle boiling water. Boil a kettle of water, then very slowly pour the water over the stain from about one foot above, starting from the outer edge of the stain and working your way in.

Step 2: Wring out Fabric and Blot With a Cloth

Carefully remove the fabric (it will be hot!) and gently wring it out. You'll see the coffee coming off of the garment and making the water brown. Blot the fabric with a clean, white cloth.

Step 3: Rinse

Rinse the garment with water, and if the stain is fully removed, launder the garment and air-dry it.

How to Remove Coffee Stains With Dish Soap or Laundry Detergent

When all else fails, reach for the soap to remove stains. Laundry detergent (though you probably don't have it in your car!) works well for removing a variety of stains, including coffee.

Step 1: Apply Soap

Add a few drops of liquid dish soap or liquid laundry detergent directly to the stain and soak it in a bowl of cold water. Let it sit for a few minutes.

Step 2: Massage the Fabric

Use your fingers to gently rub the stain out of the fabric. Return it to the bowl and let it soak for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Rinse

Remove the garment from the bowl and rinse. If the stain is fully removed, launder the garment and air-dry it. If not, repeat the process until it's gone, then launder and air-dry.

Additional Tips for Removing Coffee Stains

The three methods listed above are highly effective, but they're not the only ways to remove coffee stains from fabrics. Here are some tips for lifting coffee stains from your clothing:

Identify the Fabric Type

Different fabrics react uniquely to stain removal methods. If you're dealing with cotton or linen, you can safely use the laundry detergent method without worrying about damaging the fabric. For synthetics like nylon, polyester, and spandex, it's best to stick to water-based methods. Also, spot test before you use the boiling water method on synthetics; these fabrics can be temperature sensitive, and you don't want to ruin your garment by burning it with hot water.

Prevent the Stain From Setting

If you don't have time to do a full stain removal mission, there are a couple of things you can do to try to stop the stain from setting and deal with it later. In a pinch, you can use shaving cream to prevent coffee stains from setting in clothing (or lift the stains). Just rub a bit into the stain, rinse with cool water, and wash as usual.

An absorbent agent, baby powder is a super practical item to keep in the house. For coffee stains, it works best if the stain is fresh. Sprinkle some powder on the stain to absorb the liquid, then wash as usual. Like baby powder, salt is also absorbent and can lift coffee stains. Liberally sprinkle the powder on the stained area and let it set for several minutes to absorb the liquid.

Know When to Go to a Pro

If you have a particularly delicate fabric, or you've tried methods to get a stain out and they have just not worked, it may be time to bring in a professional. And always take dry-clean-only items or vintage clothing to a professional cleaner so you don't risk damaging the item.