Removing Coffee Stains

Getting rid of coffee stains from carpets, fabrics, or upholstery can be daunting. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to get coffee out of your clothes. These tips follow below. The first two tips are for items like clothing or slipcovers that you can then run through your washing machine. The last two methods are better for upholstery or carpets, since you cannot remove these items to your laundry.

• Commercial Stain Remover. Saturate the dirty area with pre-treatment laundry stain remover, such as Spray and Wash® or Shout®. Wait one minute for the product to penetrate the stain, and then launder immediately.
• Egg Yolk Solution. Mix the yolk of an egg and a few drops of denatured alcohol with a little warm water. Rub the mixture on the stain with a sponge and then launder the item. Don't let items treated this way sit for long before laundering them.
• Vinegar. Mix one teaspoon of white vinegar in one quart of cold water. Use a sponge to thoroughly scrub the mixture into the coffee spot. Immediately after applying the mixture, wipe the area clean.
• Baking Soda. Sprinkle a little baking soda on a wet dishcloth. Rub the solution with the dishcloth on the area. Scrub until the coffee or tea stain is removed.

Of the four methods, commercial stain removers do the best job. The other three are effective if you do not have access to laundry supplies, or if you prefer to use a more natural method on your clothing.

If the coffee stain is on your carpet, you can use a variation of the egg-yolk solution mentioned above. Dip a white cloth into a beaten egg yolk and rub the yolk into the stain. Then rinse with clear water and work denatured alcohol into the stain. Rinse with water again and apply a solution of one-half teaspoon of mild detergent in a pint of water. Blot with a white towel. If the stain remains, apply a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar and blot.

One final tip: if possible never let a coffee stain set. The more dry the stain is, the worse your chances are of removing it.