How to remove coffee stains from clothes: 5 reliable tips

A few important points

• The best way to get rid of fresh coffee stains is to react immediately. The longer the coffee stays on your clothing, the more persistent the stain becomes.

• It’s best to treat dried coffee stains with gall soap or special stain agents before putting them in the washing machine.

• Home remedies such as baking powder, vinegar or lemon juice can work, but care should be taken with delicate fabrics.

Tip 1: React as quickly as possible

The most important tip for removing coffee stains from clothes is to react as quickly as possible. Also, fresh coffee stains should be dabbed immediately – not rubbed. This will prevent the coffee from penetrating deeper into the fibres. It’s best to use a clean, dry cloth and soak up as much liquid as possible.

If you’re on the go, you can use a damp tissue to help afterwards. Use cold water to prevent the stain from setting deeper into the fabric.

Tip 2: Use mineral water instead of still water for soaking

Sparkling mineral water often works better than tap water, as the bubbles help loosen the pigment. Soak the affected garment in cold mineral water for 10 minutes – ideally immediately after the mishap.

Additional tip for milky coffee stains

If milk was involved, a drop of washing-up liquid or a little soap will help break down the fat in the milk. Pour the liquid directly into the water or apply it to the affected area. After a few minutes, rinse it thoroughly with cold water.

Tip 3: Pre-treat dried coffee stains with gall soap

If the coffee stain has already dried, you might need a little more patience: liquid or solid gall soap is a tried-and-tested way to fight an old coffee stain. Slightly moisten the stain, gently rub it with the soap and leave for at least 15 minutes. Afterwards, wash the item in the washing machine.

Tip 4: The right machine wash for coffee stains

After pretreatment, it’s time for the washing machine. Pay attention to the material’s care instructions – cotton can usually be washed at higher temperatures, but more delicate materials need to be cleaned more gently. For white clothes, in particular, use a heavy-duty detergent or a stain additive to completely remove any residue left from the coffee.

Tip 5: Leave light-coloured clothing to dry in the sun

Can you still see residue on your clothes after washing? No problem. To remove coffee stains from white clothing, you can use an entirely natural yet effective helper: sunlight. Simply dry your light-coloured clothes in the fresh air, taking advantage of the bleaching effect of UV radiation – a natural brightener without any chemicals.

What other home remedies for coffee stains really do

In addition to gall soap, mineral water and washing-up liquid, there are many other household remedies that can help with coffee stains – such as baking powder, vinegar or lemon juice. These home remedies can actually be effective when it comes to robust cotton fabrics. For example, sprinkle a little baking powder or baking soda on the damp stain, leave it to work briefly and rinse with water.

But remember: these methods can fade colours and attack sensitive fabrics. Test them first on an inconspicuous spot.

Conclusion

A fresh spill or an old coffee stain – with the right home remedies and a bit of patience, you can remove even stubborn residue from your laundry. The key is to act quickly yet carefully, in a way that suits the specific material. That way, even your favourite white blouse will be spotlessly clean again after the next coffee mishap.