How to remove coffee stains from clothes

For millions of us, the day does not really begin until that first cup of coffee has kicked in. But if a drop of flat white lands on your favourite white shirt, your morning ritual can take a frustrating turn.

To remove coffee stains, act quickly: blot up the excess coffee, rinse the stained area under cold water from behind, then treat it with a stain remover such as Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils Fruit and Drinks before washing as normal. The fresher the spill, the easier it lifts.

This article will guide you through a simple step-by-step process for treating coffee stains on clothing.

Next time you spill coffee on your clothes, reach for Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils Fruit and Drinks.

Step-by-step: removing coffee stains from clothing

Why is it that coffee and other food stains appear drawn to light or white clothing? That remains a mystery, but we can reveal the best way to get rid of coffee spills on clothes.

Here is the right approach to deal with it quickly and get on with your day.

1. Blot the stain

You may have an urge to immediately scrub at the stain, but resist it. You will only spread the stain wider and push it deeper into the fibres.

The golden rule with any fresh spill is to keep calm and act quickly. That means blotting, not rubbing. Lay a paper towel or clean cloth over the mark and press gently to soak up the excess coffee.

2. Rinse with cold water

Take the clothing off if you can (easier said than done if you are in a coffee shop, but do try!)

Turn it inside out and rinse the stained area under cold water, running it through the back of the fabric. This pushes the coffee away from the weave rather than further into it.

Always use cold or lukewarm water on coffee stains – never hot water. The heat can set the stain and make it harder to remove.

3. Apply a suitable stain remover

Next, use a reliable stain remover as soon as you can.

Dr Beckmann Stain Devils Fruit and Drinks is ideal, thanks to an active-oxygen booster that lifts stains effectively while protecting colours on both cotton and synthetic fabrics.

To use it, moisten the stained area, sprinkle on the powder and moisten again, then leave it to work for around 60 minutes (while you grab a fresh cup).

For really stubborn stains, leave it a little longer, but keep the area wet the whole time. This might be necessary if you like your coffee with milk or sugar, as the stain will be trickier to remove.

An essential tip when using any stain remover product: always test on an inconspicuous area of the garment first to check if it affects the colour.

4. Wash your clothes as normal

Once the treatment has done its work, pop the garment in the washing machine and wash it as you would normally, with your regular laundry detergent and following the care label.

5. Check before tumble drying

Before drying, hold the stained area up to the light to check the mark has gone. If there’s any trace of the stain left, the heat from tumble drying will set it, and you’ll end up with a permanent mark. If you spot a faint shadow, simply repeat the process before drying.

Does coffee permanently stain clothes?

Coffee rarely stains even white clothes for good (although, we wouldn’t be without it if it did!) As long as you catch it early and follow the steps above, most coffee spills will come out completely.

Older stains and dried-in marks are more stubborn, but don’t consider them a lost cause. Dissolve the powder in warm water and soak the whole garment for a few hours before washing, and even set-in coffee will usually disappear.

How to remove coffee stains from non-washable fabrics

Not everything can go in the machine, but you can still get rid of coffee stains on hand-wash items.

For non-washable materials, add the powder directly to the stain and remove it after around 60 minutes, then dab the stained area thoroughly with a damp cloth. You will find the full directions for non-washable fabrics on the back of our Stain Devils – Fruit & Drink pack.

As always, test a less noticeable area first to check the fabric responds well. And never use on leather, suede or acetate.

Common mistakes to avoid when removing coffee stains

Here’s what NOT to do to avoid a permanent mark on your nice cotton tee:

• Don’t rub the stain. It feels productive, but even if you gently rub a stain, you can spread it and push it further in. Remember: stay calm and blot, blot, blot.
• Never use hot water on a fresh stain. Heat sets stains, so keep things cold or lukewarm until the stain has gone.
• Don’t leave it to dry. The longer a spill sits, the harder it works into the fabric, so act quickly whenever possible.
• Don’t tumble dry too soon. Always check that the stain is fully removed first, or the heat from the dryer will fix it.
• Don’t skip the patch test – especially on coloured or delicate clothing.

Food or drink spill? Reach for Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils Fruit and Drinks

Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils Fruit and Drinks tackles coffee and other difficult stains, including baby food, beetroot, blackcurrant, carrot, mildew, nicotine, orange juice, perfume, raspberry, red wine, strawberry, sweat and perspiration, tea, urine and vinegar. Keep a pack in the cupboard, and you’ll never have to worry about the next coffee spill.

Shop Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils Fruit & Drink and be ready for whatever the next brew throws at you.

Not sure which product suits your particular stain and fabric? Visit the Dr. Beckmann Stain Clinic

Frequently asked questions about how to get coffee stains out of clothing

Can coffee spill stains be removed after they have dried?

Dried and older stains are trickier to remove than a fresh spill, but they usually still respond to treatment. Soaking the garment in a warm water solution for a few hours before washing gives set-in coffee the best chance of lifting.

Do hot water and baking soda remove coffee stains?

Baking soda is a popular home remedy that can sometimes help lift a small, fresh coffee spill, but it tends to struggle with stubborn or older stains. Hot water is best avoided too, as the heat can set a coffee stain deeper into the fibres rather than shifting it. For a more reliable result, especially on set-in stains, a dedicated stain remover is the better choice.

Does white vinegar work on coffee stains?

White vinegar mixed with water can sometimes help to remove small coffee spills. But it’s unreliable on older coffee stains and can leave a lingering vinegary smell. A stain remover that’s designed to tackle drink stains is a better option and won’t leave your favourite shirt smelling like a chip shop.

Can I use Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils on coloured clothing?

Yes. It is designed to be gentle on colours and fabrics. To be safe, always test on an inconspicuous area first to check the colour holds.

Can Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils be used with any laundry detergent?

Yes, it can. Treat the stain first as described on the packaging, then wash the garment as normal with your usual detergent. For ultimate convenience, consider Dr. Beckmann Laundry Detergent Sheets, which can be used in the machine or for handwashing.

Can Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils Fruit and Drinks be used on carpets?

Stain Devils Fruit and Drinks is designed for washable and non-washable fabrics, but it isn’t suitable for carpets, upholstery, leather, suede or acetate. For a coffee spill on the carpet, reach for Dr. Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover instead, which is made for the job.