How to Remove Coffee Stains From Anything – 13 Methods

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks all over the world. It’s delicious and energizing, but any coffee lover knows that there is a price for this joy – stains on your carpet, clothes, mugs, and furniture. 

People from around the world drink at least one cup of coffee a day. Actually, about half the population of our planet drinks coffee regularly so they can enjoy the delicate flavor of Ethiopian coffee or Brazilian, or Colombian. There is an incredible variety of coffee drinks and ways to brew a cup of this deliciousness. Whether choosing to add honey to your coffee or have it simply black, you probably cannot start your day without it.

However, for many years there are numerous debates regarding coffee. People are wondering if it’s healthy to drink coffee. According to recent researches, moderate consumption of coffee not only has no risk but can even be good for your health. Actually, many people cannot even imagine their morning and sometimes the whole day without some coffee. Considering such popularity, it is not surprising that coffee spills and stains are among the most common problems when cleaning.

People drink coffee while walking, driving, having fun with friends and family, and getting ready for work. Hence, it is not surprising how easy you can spill it on your clothes or carpet while drinking or mixing ingredients for Spanish coffee or brewing home-made cowboy coffee. Also, removing those stains is harder as you don’t always have special cleansers to remove coffee spills. That is why we offer you an ultimate guide on dealing with coffee stains with all possible means.

Types of Coffee Stains

When it comes to the types of coffee or tea stains, you need to distinguish between fresh and dried coffee stains. Depending on the type of stain, you need to use different cleaning methods to get rid of it.

Fresh Coffee Stains

Fresh coffee stains are usually pretty easy to remove as it hasn’t set into a material yet. In simple words, if you spilled coffee on your clothes, the best option is to rinse it with cold water as soon as possible to dilute the stain. Just keep in mind that it is better not to scrub it not to damage the material. Usually, you need to rinse a stain with cold water for a couple of minutes. If it doesn’t help, you may need to switch to methods for removing dried stains. 

Just keep in mind that sometimes you may need a little bit more time and effort to remove stains fresh stains, for example, when it comes to carpets.

Dried Coffee Stains

Dried coffee stains are harder to deal with as it is not enough to rinse a stain with some water. You may also need paper towels or some clean cloth, laundry detergent, white vinegar, and other things. 

First of all, you need to wet the stain, apply some soap or detergent and some white vinegar, and let it sit for several minutes. After it, rub the stain slightly. If it doesn’t help, you can repeat the process one more time, but instead of liquid detergent, use powdered one. Mix it with vinegar to make some paste. Rub the mixture in the stain gently and let it sit a little.

Natural Coffee Removers

There are many special detergents and cleaners used for removing the world’s best coffee beans, ground, or instant coffee stains. By the way, instant coffee contains slightly less caffeine. 

However, if you don’t like those chemicals or don’t have them at hand, you can use different natural replacements to remove coffee stains.

Salt

Salt is a great stain remover. Just pour a layer of simple table salt over the stain and let it literally seep into the fabric. It will for sure not let the stain spread over. You can repeat the process several times, so it absorbs that stain completely.

Baking Soda

First of all, blot the stain with a slightly wet paper towel and then sprinkle it with some baking soda. Let it sit for a minute or two and blot it away with a wet cloth or paper towel. If necessary, repeat the process several times.

White Vinegar

Pour some vinegar right on the stain and use a paper towel or dry cloth to blot it away. By the way, you can even add some white vinegar to the washing machine for deep cleaning if you weren’t able to remove the stains before. 

Baby Powder

Use a paper towel to blot the stain and then sprinkle it with baby powder. Leave it for some time so it can seep into the stain. Take a paper towel or dry cloth to blot the powder away. If necessary, repeat the process several times.

Commercial Coffee Removers

Tide to Go Pen

It’s absolutely great as you can just put it in your bag and carry it around. Also, you don’t need to put your clothes into a washing machine after applying them. It deals well with most stains, and if the stain is pretty severe and you cannot remove it with the pen, it will not let it seep into cloth, so you have enough time to get to the laundry.

Wine Away

Wine away spray is another great option to deal with coffee stains. It is great for clothing, upholsteries, and carpets.

Biz Stain Remover

Biz Stain Remover is made specifically for removing stains from clothing. It is color-safe but still can remove stains really well. You can use it for presoaking the stain or add it right to the washing machine. 

Woolite Carpet and Upholstery Foam Cleaner

Due to its foamy texture, this cleaner is perfect for carpets and upholsteries. It is also equipped with a fabric-safe bristle brush so you can remove even the toughest stains. 

How to Remove Coffee Stains Out of Different Materials

Dealing with coffee stains can be difficult and annoying, but also it is inevitable as most of us cannot imagine our lives without a coffee cup. Fortunately, coffee stains aren’t as bad as, for example, wine ones. There are many ways to get rid of them; you need to know which will work for you. Below there are some tips on how to remove coffee stains from different materials.

Clothing

Use dry cloth or paper towel to blot coffee excess. Use a stain remover of your choice. Apply it to the stain and let it pre-soak for several minutes. Use cold water to rinse your clothing. After it, remove the remaining stains with a sponge and some rubbing alcohol. Wash it and let it dry.

If you use a dryer to dry your clothes, make sure that the stain is completely removed before placing it into a dryer. Otherwise, the stain will set into your clothes due to the high temperature.

Carpet and Upholstery

Take a dry cloth or a paper towel and start blotting the stain moving from the outside to the center. Just make sure to scrub the stain. After it, spray some water on the stain and blot once again. Repeat the process several times.

If it doesn’t work, use natural or commercial detergent. Usually, you need it when the stain is already dried. 

Wood and Furniture

Usually, it is enough to wipe the stain with a wet cloth or paper towel. However, if it isn’t enough, you can use some white vinegar. Just sprinkle the surface with white vinegar, let it sit for a little, and wipe away. Just keep in mind that if your furniture has any special finish, white vinegar may not be an option.

Cups and Mugs

Cups and mugs tend to have most coffee stains as we use them to keep our coffee in. Travel mugs are made from glass, ceramic, or steel, and to clean coffee stains from them, you need to mix some soda and little water. Use this paste to scrub the stains away and then rinse your mugs well.

Methods for Cleaning a Stained Coffee Mug

Every coffee lover knows well about those horrible brown stains this drink can leave everywhere, especially in your best coffee mug. Sometimes, it is a real challenge to remove those stains. So, what is the best way to get rid of coffee stains after getting a tasty cup of joe?

Baking Soda Paste

Pour some baking soda right into your coffee mug and add some warm water so you can get some paste. Use a sponge to scrub the stains off. When there are no stains, rinse your mug with warm water properly.

Vinegar Soak

Boil some water and fill your mug half with it. Use white vinegar to top your mug off. Leave the mixture for about ten minutes. After it, toss the mixture into the sink and start scrubbing the mug using an abrasive sponge. Finally, rinse your mug well; there is no aroma or taste of vinegar.

Salt and Ice

Take some salt and put it right into your mug. Crush several cubes of ice and add them to the mug. Use plastic wrap to cover the mug well, and shake it vigorously. As salt is pretty coarse, you can easily remove stains without any chemicals.  Don’t forget to rinse your mug well at the end. 

Melamine Foam Sponge

Take a melamine foam sponge and dampen it slightly. Use the foam to scrub the stains off inside your mug. After it, use some soap and warm water to wash the mug. Finally, rinse it with some warm water.

Denture Tablets

Washing dishes is hardly someone’s favorite thing to do especially when you need to scrub off stains from your mugs. However, this tip can make it much easier. Just put one or two tablets into your mug and add some water. Let it sit for several minutes and toss the water into a sink. Use a wet cloth to remove the remainings and rinse the mug with some water.

How to Remove Coffee Stains Using Club Soda

Step 1 – Blot stain

First of all, take a clean cloth or paper towel and blot the stain well.

Step 2 – Add salt and club soda

Sprinkle the stain with some salt and some club soda over the stain and let it sit overnight.

Step 3 – Blot again

Take a clean cloth or paper towel and blot the stain again to remove the mixture and let it dry.

By the way, you can use only club soda without salt. It works really well, even on its own. 

 

How to Remove Coffee Stains Using Boiling Water Method

Step 1 – Get ready

Take a shatter-proof pot or bowl and place the cloth over it. Make sure the stain is right in the center of a bowl. 

Step 2 – Boil some water

Pour clean water into the kettle and boil it.

Step 3 – Pour water on the stain

Take the kettle and slowly pour on the stain. Make sure to keep the kettle about a foot above the cloth. Start from the edges and move to the center.

Step 4 – Rinse the cloth

Rinse the cloth with some warm water and let it dry.

Do’s and Don’ts When Removing Coffee Stains

Do’s

• Do choose the method depending on the material from which you need to remove stains.
• Do follow the instructions to avoid damages.
• Do use only proven methods.
• Do make sure to remove coffee stains as soon as possible.
• Do use natural and commercial cleaners to remove coffee stains.

Don’ts

• Don’t use unapproved methods.
• Don’t use bleachers, especially when it comes to colored clothes.
• Don’t let stains dry if possible.
• Don’t use aggressive chemicals.

FAQ About Removing Coffee Stains

What is the best coffee stain remover?

There is no certain answer to the question as it depends on the type of material you need to remove stains. 

How do you get old coffee stains out of cotton?

Use laundry detergent or liquid soap and some cold or warm water. Rub detergent into a stain and add some water. Let it soak for some time and rinse with warm water.

What is the best homemade stain remover?

As we told before, it depends on the material, but usually, club soda is one of the best options for removing coffee stains from cloth and carpets. For mugs, use baking soda or white vinegar. 

Are coffee stains on teeth permanent?

Due to tannins that can be found in coffee, our teeth can become yellowish. This pigment embeds into cracks and ridges in our teeth and with time, it may become permanent.

Does bleach remove coffee stains?

You can wash clothes with chlorine or oxygen bleach when it comes to old stains that you cannot remove in any other way. Just keep in mind that bleachers, especially chlorine-based, aren’t good for colored clothes.

How do you get coffee stains out of wood?

The best option is to wipe the stain off as soon as possible. If it is too late and the stain has already stuck to the surface, use some white vinegar. Just keep in mind that you need to be very careful if your furniture has any finish-like varnish.

Conclusion

Every coffee lover at least once needed to deal with coffee stains. All of us know how difficult it may be. However, it doesn’t mean it is impossible. Just choose the right method and follow the instructions.

By the way, the afternoon is a good time to drink coffee and we have lots of tasty recipes for you.

Photos from: belchonock / depositphotos.com, AndreyPopov / depositphotos.com, tanya.rozhnovska[email protected] / depositphotos.com and Thamkc / depositphotos.com.