If you drink coffee regularly, then you must have spilled it at least once and you probably know how hard is to eliminate those coffee stains.
In this article, you will find how to easily remove coffee stains from clothes and a few other surfaces.
Why Are Coffee Stains Hard to Remove?
They can be challenging to remove, and there are a few reasons why. First, coffee is a dark color and tends to stain darker fabrics more than lighter fabrics.
Secondly, coffee grounds contain oil and milk proteins, which make them difficult to scrub away completely. Thirdly, coffee has a high acidity level, which means that it can damage fabric fibers if it’s not removed cautiously.
1. How To Remove Coffee Stains From Clothing
NOTE: It’s always best to test your chosen pre-treatment product on an inconspicuous area of the garment first to be sure it won’t cause any damage.
Coffee stains can be difficult to remove, especially if they’ve been allowed to set. However, there are a few simple methods that can help to eliminate even the most stubborn stains.
Removing fresh coffee stains
To eliminate a fresh stain it’s important to act quickly. The first step is to blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel. Once the excess coffee has been removed, rinse the area with cold water. If the stain is still visible, you can try pretreating it with a mild liquid or powdered laundry detergent, or even dish soap. Once the detergent has been applied, simply wash the item as you normally would.
Removing dried coffee stains
You may need to use a little more elbow grease. Start by soaking the stained area in warm water for several minutes. This will help to loosen the stain and make it easier to remove.
If the stain is more stubborn
You may need to soak the item in a mixture of water and vinegar before laundering. You could also add an extra cup of vinegar to the cycle to help break down the coffee stains. For more vinegar cleaning tips, check these vinegar cleaning hacks.
Another option is to pre-treat the stain with a laundry pre-treatment spray or gel before washing the item as usual.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the labels of these products, as some may require that you let them sit for a few minutes before laundering. When you’re ready to wash the item, make sure to use the hottest water setting that is safe for the fabric.
With a little time and effort, you can eliminate coffee stains from your clothes and keep them looking their best.
2. How To Eliminate Coffee Stains From Carpets
Anyone who has ever accidentally spilled coffee on a carpet knows that it can be really difficult to clean coffee stains from a carpet and more so if the stain is old.
If you’re dealing with a white carpet, the task can seem even more daunting. However, there are a few simple steps that you can follow to help get the stain out.
- First, blot the area with a fresh cloth to absorb the coffee as much as possible.
- Then, mix the same amount of white vinegar and warm water, and apply the solution to the stain.
- Allow it to rest for a few minutes, then blot it dry with another clean cloth.
You may need to repeat this process a few times before the stain is completely gone. However, if you’re patient and persistent, you should be able to remove coffee stains from your carpet without too much difficulty.
How To Clean Old Coffee Stains From Carpet
Old coffee stains can be tricky to remove, but there are a few things you can do to get the job done.
With Lemon And Salt
- First, mix together equal parts lemon juice and water. Next, use a fresh cloth to sponge the mixture onto the stain, being careful not to rub it in too much.
- Once the stain is saturated, cover it with a layer of salt and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- Finally, vacuum up the salt and rinse the area with clean water.
With Baking Soda
Baking soda is a gentle yet effective cleaning agent that can lift old stains from carpet fibers.
- To use, simply make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the stain.
- Let the paste sit for a few minutes, then blot it away with a clean dry cloth.
- You may need to repeat the process for tough stains, but eventually, the baking soda will lift the stain and leave your carpet looking good as new.
If you like cleaning with baking soda have a look at 25 baking soda cleaning hacks.
If the stain is persistent and still visible, you can repeat these steps or try using a commercial carpet cleaner. With a little patience, you should be able to remove even the most stubborn old coffee marks.
Want to eliminate bad odor in your carpet? Check this homemade carpet cleaner powder.
3. How to Remove Coffee Stains from Wooden Surfaces
If you have wooden surfaces in your home, be sure to keep a close eye on them because coffee marks can easily show up.
If you do spill coffee on wood, the stain will continue to spread until it is removed.
Here are some tips on how to remove them:
- Start by soaking the area in cold water for a few minutes. This will help loosen the stain.
- Then, use a toothbrush and mild soap or white toothpaste to scrub the stain until it starts to come off.
- Don’t over scrub though, or you’ll damage the wood.
According to Mollymaid experts, you can use white vinegar to clean non-fresh stains.
Pour a teaspoon of white vinegar over the stain and leave it for a few minutes. This dissolves the coffee, so you can wipe it up with a cloth or paper towel. Let the wood air dry.
MollyMaid
4. Removing Coffee Stains from Glass & Plastic
Every day, we touch or rub things that contain coffee. Our hands, dishes, cups, and even the countertops can become stained with coffee. This stained material can then be transferred to other surfaces like glass or plastic.
If coffee stains are left on a surface for a long period of time, the stains may become permanent. Coffee can also damage plastic and glass over time if it is not cleaned properly.
How to Remove Coffee Stains from Glass and Plastic:
If you spill coffee on your glass or plastic surface, there are several ways to remove the stained areas.
- First, rinse the area with cold water to remove as much of the coffee as possible.
- Then, create a paste using baking soda and water and rub it into the stain.
- Let the paste sit for a few minutes, then wipe it away with a damp cloth.
- If the stain persists, try rubbing it with a mixture of vinegar and water.
Or you can use household methods:
- Use a lemon. Lemon juice is a strong acid that will break down the compounds that make coffee stains persistent. Just rub the lemon around the stain and then dry it off.
- Use a white vinegar solution to rub the stain slowly.
5. Saving Marble Tiles from Coffee Stains
Marble tiles can be a beautiful addition to any room, except when they are stained by coffee.
Tough stains occur on marble when foreign substances are given time to penetrate the pours of the marble.
themarblecleaner.com
Tough coffee stains can be difficult to get out of tiles for these reasons:
- Coffee is acidic and the acid etches the tile surface.
- The stain spreads easily because coffee is a liquid.
- Tiles often have small nooks and crannies that the stain spreads into.
Here are a few tips to get them off:
Avoid cleaners or household items containing any type of acids.
The Marble Institute of America has a great guide on how to deal with different types of stains, including coffee.
According to this guide, you’ll want to use a mild detergent and warm water to remove the stain. If the stain is resistant, clean it by mixing 12% hydrogen peroxide with a few drops of ammonia.
Be sure to test any new cleaners in an inconspicuous spot first to make sure they won’t damage the tile. Once the stain is gone, be sure to rinse the area thoroughly with clean water.
Precautions to Save Your House from Coffee Stains
- First, use a towel paper to bloat any spills as soon as they happen.
- Secondly, if the stain is on a surface that can be easily seen, like a rug, try using a mild bleach solution and water mixture to clean it up.
- Always use a clean mug when drinking coffee. Dirty mugs will leave residue on surfaces.
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