The Ultimate Coffee Stain Removal Guide – (Homemade Natural Hacks)

Running late for work and knocked your coffee all over your trousers? Breakfast in bed gone wrong? No matter the cause, coffee can be one of the most irritating stain out there, especially when it soaks in. The only positive it has is that it at least smells good, so you can keep that fresh coffee smell with you.

Does White Vinegar Remove Coffee Stains?

Lemon Juice. This is really simple, because all you need to do is squeeze the lemon juice onto the affected area and allow it to sit for around ten minutes. Once it has settled, take a damp cloth and gently rub it into the stain. You can then rinse it clean, and repeat as needed.

Beer. Don’t weep, it’s not a waste if it’s saving your carpet. Pour a little beer onto the affected area, and gently rub it in with a clean cloth. Blot the excess moisture with a clean cloth, and then repeat the process a few times until the stain vanishes. It won’t leave a sticky mess, and your carpet will be back to its old self.

Salt. You can use this on mugs, clothes, and carpets. Just sprinkle salt liberally onto the stains after dampening the area. Let the salt soak into the area and use a damp cloth to rub it in. Rinse and repeat as needed, and you should find that the stain is no more.

Baby Powder. This works in a similar way to the classic baking soda, and it is best on fresh stains. Apply a light coating to the stained area, and leave it to sit for up to 10 minutes. Once it has finished absorbing the stain, you can brush it off with a damp cloth and the stain will be gone.

Stain Pen. These are great, and the fact you can have them with you on the move is a big bonus. All you need to do is press the tip down to release the stain remover and then rub it in. Repeat a few times until the stain is removed, and then wipe down or rinse the affected area; ideal for those emergency stains that you can’t last a whole day with.  

White Vinegar. This is one of the most versatile cleaning products out there, and it’s likely already in your home. It has antibacterial and disinfectant properties, and can be used to get rid of limescale in your washing machine, as well as remove stains from clothes. You’ll find a lot of my recipes feature this little wonder.

Baking Soda. This removes stains really easily, and it is popular for this reason. You can sprinkle it directly on the stain and allow it to sit and absorb. Or you can mix it with white vinegar to create a fantastic paste that can be rubbed in and rinsed. Either way, it is one of the most effective forms of stain removal; even on things like red wine. That’s power for you.

Shaving Cream. This actually contains similar ingredients to regular soap, including surfactants add cleansing agents. It can be used quite effectively on coffee stains, and all you need to do is rub it into the affected area, rinse it with water, and repeat as often as necessary.

Toothpaste. Interestingly, toothpaste has an exfoliating effect, and this can be quite beneficial when used with coffee stains. If you take an old toothbrush and some paste, you can rub it into the stained area gently. All you need to do afterwards is follow the standard rinse and repeat process until it’s gone.

Natural Soap. Simple yet effective, it’s a great way to get clothes looking new again. Take the bar of soap, get it wet, and scrub the stained area. Leave it to sit for an hour, and then rinse it off with cool water. You can then repeat the process if needed, but it should be gone after the first round.

What you will need – the basics:

How Do You Get Dried Coffee Stains Out of Clothes?

Dried coffee stains can be a pain because they have already soaked into your clothes and made their home there. However, they aren’t impossible to remove. You just need a little patience and to give it some time. Here are my top methods for getting those dried coffee stains out of you favourite clothes.

Egg Yolk

Yes, you read that correctly. It’s a tried and tested method that many (myself included) will swear by. All you need to do is beat a single egg yolk work it into the stain with a clean cloth. Rub it in for around a minute, and then rinse the area thoroughly. The stain should be gone, and your clothes good as new.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Take a cup of white vinegar and baking soda, and mix it together until it forms a paste. Apply the mixture to the stained area and gently rub it in. Allow it to sit for around 5-10 minutes so that it can really soak in and loosen the stain. Once it has settled, you can put it in the washing machine and run your usual cycle. If it’s quite an old stain, you might want to put some extra baking soda in the drum, as well as two cups of white vinegar in the detergent drawer. This will give it some extra cleaning power.

How to Remove Fresh Coffee Stains Out of Clothes

Removing fresh stains tends to be a lot easier because it hasn’t had the chance to permeate and settle in your clothes. Below, you will find the key steps for getting fresh coffee stains out of your clothes quickly.

Blot the Coffee Stain.

This is the first thing you should do, and you should take a clean cloth and start blotting from the outside of the stain. Slowly work your way inwards, and always use a clean part of the cloth. Continue this until you can’t pick up anymore coffee.  

Rinse the Stain with Cold Water.

After blotting, take some cold water and rinse the area, allowing you to see if the stain has been removed. If it hasn’t, you can either repeat the above step, or try one of the solutions below.

Add Detergent to Treat the Coffee Stain

You can take a little laundry detergent of your choice and rub it into the stain if it is quite severe. Gently rub it with your fingers every five minutes after soaking in water to really work the detergent in. If you want to use a powdered form, you can use water to create a paste that can be massaged into the fabric. Once it has been allowed to sit for a while, rinse and repeat if necessary.

Try Using Vinegar to Remove the Stain

Using a clean cloth, you can gently dab white vinegar into the stain and allow it to set. You can also sprinkle some bicarb on there with it to soak the stain up if you feel it needs some extra strength. Allow the vinegar to sit for around 5-10 minutes and then dab it up again. Rinse the garment, and then wash as normal.

Use a Stain Stick

These are really easy to use, and they can be quite helpful if you need stain removal on the go. All you need to do is press the tip down to release the solution, and then gently rub it into the affected area. Add more liquid when necessary, and simply rinse when the stain has been removed. The great thing about these is that they are portable and can be carried around with you for those unexpected emergencies.

Washable Clothes

Sometimes, it’s possible to just throw your clothes in the washing machine and remove the stains that way. The best thing to use for this is Vanish, as it is one of the best stain removers on the market. Alternatively, if you don’t feel like using a chemical stain remover, a mixture of white vinegar and bicarb will work a treat. Here are some quick instructions for you to follow.

Step One: Place the stained clothes in the washing machine, along with a scoop of Vanish. Alternatively, you can use a cup of baking soda in the drum and two cups of white vinegar in the detergent drawer.

Step Two: Put the machine on your desired wash cycle. It doesn’t need to be a hot wash for either of the stain removers to take effect.

Step Three: Take the clothes out and leave them to dry, or chuck them in the tumble dryer. If the stain remains, repeat the process again and it should be gone. This process can be used for white and coloured clothes.

Step Four: (Optional) If you feel like the stain is quite severe, you can also pre-treat the clothes. You can do this by making a paste from the Vanish, or from the mixture of white vinegar and bicarb. Once this is done, apply it to the stained area and leave it to sit for 5-10 minutes before throwing in the wash as normal with the above ingredients.

Note: This method is not suitable for the following materials:

Removing Coffee Stains from White Clothes

That white work shirt you love is going to end up with coffee on it at some point. That’s not me being negative, it’s just one of the facts of life. When the inevitable does happen, you need to be prepared, and that’s where this section comes in to save the day. Here’s how you can remove coffee stains from your lovely white clothes.

What You Will Need:

Step One: Blot up excess coffee with a clean, dry cloth. Start from the outside of the stain, and then slowly work your way towards the centre.

Step Two: Pre-soak the stain in a solution of 1-quart of warm water, ½ teaspoon of dishwashing detergent (not laundry detergent), and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Leave it to sit for 15 minutes.

Step Three: Rinse the stained area with warm water.

Step Four: Use a sponge and rubbing alcohol to blot up any remaining stain.

Step Five: Rinse the fabric again with warm water.

Step Six: Let the fabric dry.

Step Seven: Wash as normal, and repeat the process if needed.

Removing Coffee Stains from Jeans

We’ve all been there. The heavy sigh that follows as you spill coffee even on your day off. It’s frustrating, but it doesn’t have to mark the end for your jeans. I’m here to let you know that there is hope for your favourite pair of casual trousers, and that this method works for pretty much every other synthetic material; even spandex (rejoice, cyclists of the world). Let’s take a look.

What You Will Need:

Step One: Use the cloth to blot up any excess moisture from the stain.

Step Two: Mix a quart of warm water with a tablespoon of dish soap and white vinegar. Allow this to soak into the stain for around 15 minutes.

Step Three: Rinse the stained area with warm water, and then use a sponge and rubbing alcohol to blot what remains of the stain. If the stain is really severe, you can scatter some baking soda over the affected area while it is damp. Then, rub it into the jeans so that it absorbs the stain, and rinse to remove the excess powder as well as the stain.

Step Four: Wash as normal. If the stain hasn’t quite come out yet, repeat as necessary until the stain has been completely removed. The fresher it is, the faster the removal process. Do not put your jeans in the dryer until the stain has been completely removed.

Dry Clean Only Clothes

There are some clothes that need special treatment when being cleaned, and so your standard coffee stain removal recipe might not make the cut. Instead, it is usually best to have these taken to a dry cleaner so that you don’t ruin the material, but there are some methods you can use yourself if you feel the need to try and take on the stains.

Special Fabrics

The following materials need extra care and attention when removing coffee stains. Below, you will find some tips and tricks for taking care of the stains while also preventing damage to the materials.

Leather and Suede

Silk and Satin

For silk and satin, you are able to use a solution of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol that has been diluted with water. Gently apply this to the affected area, and dab it with a clean cloth. Work your way from the outside to the inside, and the stain will be removed. You can repeat this process if needed, but don’t do it too many times to avoid potential damage.

Wool

In order to clean wool effectively and remove coffee stains, you will need a diluted solution of glycerine and ammonia. This can then be gently rubbed into the area and rinsed as needed. You can also use 90% rubbing alcohol to blot the stain and remove it.

Here are the general ingredients you are going to need:

Removing Fresh Coffee Stains from Your Sofa

Take a clean cloth and gently blot the area from the outside working in. Do not use a rubbing motion as you will just push the liquid deeper into the fabric. Make sure you are blotting with clean parts of the cloth at all times, and once the coffee is out you can flush the area with a little cool water. Gently blot all of the water out with another clean cloth, and it should be gone. If you are still stuck with the stain, use the method in the next section.

Removing Dried Coffee Stains from Your Sofa

Step One: Mix 1/3 of a cup of white vinegar with 2/3 of a cup of warm water. Or, you can mix ¼ cup of lemon juice with 2 cups of warm water and 1 teaspoon of washing up liquid. It depends on your preferences.

Step Two: Use a clean cloth to work the mixture into the stain, going from the outside and moving your way inwards. Gently rub in a circular motion as you go, as this is the most effective method.

Step Three: Flush the area with no more than one cup of cool water. Then, blot all the moisture away with another clean cloth. You can repeat the process as many times as you need in order to fully remove the stain.

Step One: Spray the stain with you chosen cleaner, and leave to set for a short period of time. Some cleaners will need longer than others, and if you are using white vinegar you should use the brush to gently work it into the area alongside some warm water.

Step Two: Scrub the stain using the brush once the solution has set. For the best results, scrub from side to side in an overlapping motion. This will really loosen the stain and help get rid of it without damaging the paintwork.

Step Three: Dampen the cloth and wring it out. Then, use it to wipe down the wall; removing both the cleaning product and the stain. If it is still quite bad, you can repeat the process.

Step Four: Once you have done this, you may notice the stain is permanent if it has been there for a long period of time. If this it the case, grab a roller and paint over the affected area to cover up the stain. You can also use a Zero-VOC paint to protect the walls from any future accidents.

Want to try another great, if slightly odd method? You can pick up a magic eraser from your local supermarket and try this on your walls. It’s amazing at removing a whole host of stains, and you may find that coffee is no different. There are many who stands by the magic eraser as a tried and tested method for coffee stain removal, so why not give it a try before you go all-out on the process?

What You Will Need:

The Process for Fresh Coffee Stains

Step One: Starting from the outside of the stain, gently blot the area using a clean cloth. Slowly work towards the centre of the stain, ensuring you use a clean section of the cloth at all times. Do not use a scrubbing motion, and continue to blot until you cannot lift anymore coffee from the carpet.

Step Two: Pour a small amount of water onto the stain (do not soak the carpet), and repeat the blotting process with a fresh cloth until the stain has been completely lifted.

Step Three: Take the dryer and use it on the damp area to dry the carpet out. Ensure that you do so on a low heat to avoid potential damage to the fibres.

The Process for Old Coffee Stains

Step One: Mix a tablespoon of white vinegar and dish soap with two cups of water.

Step Two: Using a clean cloth, take a little bit of this mixture and sponge it onto the affected area. Continue to blot the stain, but make sure you alternate between the wet and dry cloth for the best results. Do so until the stain is completely removed; just be patient.

Step Three: Dry the area with a hair dryer that’s on a low heat. This will leave the carpet nice and dry without causing any damage.

What About Coffee and Cream Stains?

The same process of alternate blotting applies to coffee stains that contain cream or milk. The mixture is a little different, as all you need is a cap of laundry detergent mixed with water. Keep up with the blotting technique until the stain has been removed, and then rinse it with clean water and another fresh cloth. Afterwards, you can dry it the same way as stated above. All it needs is a little patience and time. You may also find this great video I sourced quite helpful while working on your carpet.

How to get the coffee smell out of the carpet

The simple solution is baking soda. If the coffee smell is still in your carpet after you have removed the stain, you can neutralise the odour quite easily. All you need to do is sprinkle a good amount of baking soda over the area and leave it overnight. You can then vacuum it up in the morning, and the odour will be gone; leaving your carpets nice and fresh again.

What do I do if coffee stains reappear?

There are a few things that might cause the stain to reappear. One of these is residue from cleaning the carpet, and this is usually where the stain has soaked in really deep and continues to rise back to the surface once the carpet has dried after the removal process. You can pour 1/4 of a cup of lukewarm water on the spot to rinse out the fibres and then gently soak it up with a clean cloth.

A professional carpet cleaner may also be the best call if you find that the homemade solutions aren’t working in the way they should be. If the spot keeps reappearing, however, things may be more serious. It could be that the stain has actually reached right down to the base of the carpet. If this is the case, you will have no choice but to pull the carpet up and replace it.

Different types of carpet and coffee stains

The recipe and instructions provided above are actually fine for use with all types of carpet, but there are a few tips I can give you if you want to treat your carpets in a specific way. These should help you increase your chances of success when removing stains.

Natural Fabrics: Spray a little cold water on the stained area before you start. Then, use a cloth to gently soak the water up as it helps to loosen and remove the stain.

Nylon and Olefin: These fibres are actually massively stain resistant, so all you will need to do is blot the stain with a clean cloth to bring it out of the carpet. Just make sure that no moisture gets trapped inside because otherwise it encourages mould growth and terrible odours.

Polyester: Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar into a spray bottle and apply it to the affected area. Use a clean cloth to gentle blot the area so that the stain comes up, but never rub it as you will just make it worse and push the stain further into the fibres.