Coffee stains are some of the most notoriously difficult to remove, and they’re also some of the most common – so much so that we’re pretty sure anyone reading this has dealt with at least one in their life.  While coffee stains are definitely among the more stubborn, they're removable if you follow the proper protocol.

What Makes Coffee Stains So Tough to Remove Anyway?

The reason why coffee stains can be particularly pesky is because they contain tannins, much like red wine.  This means that rather than staying on the surface of your clothing, they quickly absorb into the fibers and set if you wait too long to remove the stain.

What is the Process of Removing a Coffee Stain from Clothing?

If you’ve accidentally spilled some coffee on your favorite garment, don’t panic – follow the steps below and you should be golden.  Keep in mind that the sooner you address the stain, the better the chance will be that you can remove it entirely.

First, blot the coffee stain with a paper towel or white cloth as thoroughly as possible to prevent as much from it as possible from absorbing into the fibers of your clothing.  Blot it until it’s dry, but don’t rub it as that can make it worse.

Now, soak your clothing item in cold water.  Hot water can “set” the stain, while cold water can dissolve it.  Let it soak for about 5 minutes under a faucet of running cold water.  While it’s soaking, use your fingers to consistently rub the stain.

Now, it’s time to pour some laundry detergent directly onto the stain.  Let it sit for about 5 minutes to break up the discoloration, and use your finger to gently massage the stain and the detergent together.  Then, rinse with cold water.  Note: If the detergent isn’t doing a good enough job, throw some white vinegar on too. 

Now, the stain should be removed, and you can run it through a laundry cycle.  Here is where you can use Grab Green 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Pods, Grab Green 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Powder, Grab Green Bleach Alternative Pods, and/or Stoneworks Laundry Detergent Pods, to attempt to get that coffee stain off your clothing for good.

Should you discover a coffee stain long after the coffee has dried, never fear.  Find an eco-friendly, commercial stain remover that specifically says that it can work on coffee stains, and also follow the directions.  Like we said, coffee stains are annoying to remove, but in many cases they can be removed, even if the stain has been dried for a while.  Again, avoid using high heat which can make the stain permanent by setting it.

The Key Takeaway

If you’re a regular coffee drinker, then you know that it can be hard to avoid spilling some coffee on yourself from time to time.  The good news is that while it’s definitely classified as a more stubborn stain, it’s one of the less risky ones in that in most cases, a coffee stain can be fully removed.  Just try the simple method above and you should find that your clothing looks like it's brand-new all over again.