Getting a coffee stain is inevitable at some point in life if you are an avid coffee drinker. Not to worry, there are a few different solutions to help you remove coffee stains from your shirt when it does happen. Follow along to find out the best solutions.
You can remove coffee stains from a shirt using basic ingredients in your cleaning cabinet or kitchen. From classics like rubbing alcohol or a white vinegar and baking soda solution, to more unusual approaches using egg yolks, toothpaste or shaving cream, there are ways to remove these stubborn stains.
Removing a coffee stain from a shirt is achievable. Read on to learn a few helpful solutions on how to do it. Depending on the fabric of your shirt, you will want to use the appropriate approach to maintain the quality of your clothing.
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Remove a coffee stain with an egg yolk
The majority of people have eggs on hand in their homes, which is fortunate because this ingredient can be used to remove coffee stains. If you already washed your shirt before you noticed the stain, not to worry. This solution should still work for you!
To get rid of the coffee stain on your shirt, first apply the egg yolk directly onto the stain. Let it sit and set in until it dries on the shirt. Once it has dried, apply warm or hot water to the stain. Let dry and you’ll notice a difference in your stain.
The stain fighting duo: white vinegar and baking soda
This approach uses two classic stain fighting ingredients: white vinegar and baking soda. Make sure you use white vinegar and be aware that your shirt will smell like vinegar until it is thoroughly washed afterwards.
- Pour two drops of white vinegar onto the stain
- Rub the vinegar into the stain and wait for a couple of minutes.
- Sprinkle 1 tsp of baking soda onto the stain.
- You can also mix white vinegar in your washing machine for an easier application.
- Rinse the solution with warm water and put it in the wash for best results.
An alternate solution: shaving cream
You might be thinking, ‘shaving cream, really?!’ But, if it works, why not? Shaving cream is a rather easy solution to use. All you have to do is simply rub the shaving cream onto the coffee stain; just enough to cover the stain. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes. Rinse and repeat as needed.
The natural soap approach
You can also use an all-natural bar of soap. Just rub the dry or slightly wet bar of soap onto the stain and let it sit for one hour. Then, wet the stain with water and scrub with your fingers. Continuing rinsing with water until the soap is removed and you no longer see the stain.
Removing a coffee stain with laundry detergent
If you want to stick to your laundry room for your stain fighting needs and you don’t have any stain remover on hand, you can just use regular laundry detergent to get rid of coffee stains.
- Blend together 1 tsp of laundry detergent and 2 tsp of cold water.
- Scrub the concoction on the stain.
- Allow it to sit for five to ten minutes. You can keep it on for longer, but do not let it dry.
- Rinse the solution off using cold water
- Let dry or throw your shirt through the wash for a fresh look
Toothpaste isn’t only for your mouth
Toothpaste works wonders for removing stains. It’s easy, convenient, and effective. Just brush on ¼ of a tsp onto the stain, let sit for a few minutes and rinse. Repeat as needed or until the stain is lighter or non-existent.
Rubbing alcohol removes coffee stains from delicate fabrics
If your stain is on leather, silk, satin, or wool – rubbing alcohol works wonders for removing coffee stains.
For leather: Rub the stain with water to remove any excess coffee. Use 1 tsp of rubbing alcohol to remove the stain. If the stain leaves a ring, you will have to dry clean it for the best results.
Silk: A 1:1:3 ratio of vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and water works best with silk. Mix the solution together and blot on the stain. Wash after.
Satin: The same applies to satin as it does to silk. Use a 1:1:3 ratio of vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and water and follow the same instructions for best results.
Wool: Spot the stain with 90% rubbing alcohol to cover the coffee stain. Rinse or wash.
Common questions about coffee stains:
Are coffee stains permanent?
For the most part, coffee stains come out. It depends on the age of the stain, the fabric, and the solution that you use. Make sure you get rid of the stain before running your clothes through the dryer, or it will set and become much harder to eliminate.
Can coffee stains come out of all fabrics?
Coffee stains can come out of most fabrics using the ingredients mentioned above. Again, it all depends on the size of the stain, how long the stain has been on the shirt for, and what type of fabric the shirt is. Some fabrics are easier to remove coffee stains than others. Make sure you use the right substances for the right materials, so you avoid ruining your shirt.
To learn how to remove coffee stains from leather, check out this article. And to remove coffee stains from a mattress, read here.
Will old coffee stains come out?
Old coffee stains will come out depending on the depth of the stain and the material of your clothes. Use one of the following solutions above for the best results. If you do not have faith in your coffee stain removal abilities, take your shirt to the dry cleaners for their assistance.
How can one decrease their risk of spilling coffee?
The simple answer is, ‘mistakes happen.’ It’s hard to decrease your risk, but you can be careful when you are drinking or wear something over your shirt to help prevent the coffee from spilling on it. Try not drinking coffee when you are in a moving vehicle to help prevent the coffee from spilling. And always put a lid on your to-go coffee cups.
Will black coffee stain more than coffee with milk?
It all depends on the stain and the fabric. Black coffee will make the stain darker usually, which might make it harder to come out, but not necessarily.
Again, whether or not the stain just happened, or it has been there for a month all plays into factor. Try to remove the coffee stain right away, regardless if it is black coffee or coffee that has milk in it. This will help minimize the stain from going deep into your shirt and drying.
One type of stain that adding milk to your coffee does help diminish, is a coffee tooth stain. There’s evidence to show that adding milk to your coffee decreases its stain potency.
How do you remove coffee stains?
Coffee stains, while inevitable, can fortunately be removed. You can get rid of them with laundry detergent, rubbing alcohol, soap or baking soda and white vinegar. Alternatively, you can use toothpaste, shaving cream or even egg yolks to get rid of coffee stains on your clothing.
