How to Remove Coffee Stains From Clothing

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JUMP TO SOLUTION

This guide will show you how to remove both fresh and set-in coffee stains.

SKIP TO:

- Part 1 - Regular Coffee Stains

- Part 2 - Remove Set-In Coffee Stains

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Part 1: Coffee Stain Removal

Whether your coffee stain is fresh or old and fully dried, it's important to start by pre-treating the affected area with a cleaning agent that is effective at breaking down coffee stains. Soaking and gentle agitation help loosen the coffee residue and release the stain from the garment.

Rinse or soak in cold water: Soak the garment in a sink filled with cold water for about 15 minutes. Just like soaking dirty dishes, soaking stained clothing helps loosen and dissolve coffee residue, making it easier to remove the stain without excessive scrubbing. This provides a gentle way to treat your clothes while preparing the stain for further cleaning.
Apply a spot cleaner: Choose a cleaning agent effective at breaking down coffee stains and apply it directly to the affected area. Good options include:
- Liquid laundry detergent (Tide, Persil, or Gain)
- Other highly effective all purpose laundry spot removers (Shout, Miss Mouth's, or Dad Mode)
Gently work in the cleaner: Apply gentle agitation with a soft bristle brush like a Horse Hair Brush. Agitation is best done while the fabric is submerged underwater so as not to spread the stain to other parts of the fabric.
Rinse thoroughly: Rinse the treated area with cold water to remove both the cleaning agent and the loosened coffee residue.
Repeat if needed: Repeat the process as long as you continue to see the stain fading. Once the stain stops showing improvement, move on to the stain removal methods below to break down the remaining coffee pigments that have set into the fabric.

PART 2: Set-In Coffee Stain Removal

Sometimes, melanoidin and tannin pigments from coffee remain attached to fabric fibers, leaving behind a stubborn, set-in stain. When this happens, a more targeted stain removal method may be needed to break down the remaining trapped pigments. Try one of the two methods below to tackle set-in coffee stains.

OPTION 1- Using Oxygen Bleach (OxiClean) for Set-In Coffee Stain Removal

Mix the oxygen bleach: In a bucket or basin, mix hot water with the maximum recommended amount of powdered oxygen bleach (follow the instructions on the product). If using OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover, Fill the scoop to Line 4 per 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water.
Soak the stained fabric: Submerge the stained item in the solution and let it soak for up to 8 hours or until the stain is gone.
Rinse and wash: Once the stain is gone, rinse the garment thoroughly. Then, wash it as usual in the washing machine, or run a rinse and spin cycle to remove any remaining oxygen bleach residue.
Repeat if needed: If the stain persists, repeat the soaking process until it’s completely gone.

Note: Oxygen bleach is safe for most fabrics, including colored and dark fabrics, and won’t damage the color.

OPTION 2- Using Hydrogen Peroxide and a Clothing Iron for Set-In Coffee Stain Removal

Apply the Hydrogen Peroxide: Lightly spray the coffee stain with 3% or 6% hydrogen peroxide. While 6% hydrogen peroxide typically produces faster results, both concentrations are effective at removing coffee stains.
Cover the stain with and iron: Using a clothing iron on the lowest heat setting, iron the stained area until the hydrogen peroxide has completely evaporated. The gentle heat from the iron speeds up evaporation, causing the hydrogen peroxide to break down into oxygen and water. This creates an oxidation reaction that breaks down the coffee pigments that have set into the fabric.
Repeat as needed: Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the coffee stain has completely disappeared.
Allow the garment to dry: Once the stain is gone, allow the garment to dry completely. Hydrogen peroxide leaves no residue behind, so once the garment is dry, it is safe to wear or put away.

Note: Always use the lowest heat setting on your iron. The purpose of the iron is simply to aid evaporation. High heat is unnecessary and could possibly damage the fabric.

Final Tips