Removing Coffee Stains: These Home Remedies and Tips Will Help

Who hasn’t experienced it? One moment of distraction, and suddenly, your coffee is spilled. Here’s how to remove coffee stains effectively.

The freshly brewed coffee sits next to me on the table, the aroma of fine coffee beans rising to my nose, and my happiness levels soar in anticipation. Coffee – an indispensable love!

According to the German Coffee Association, coffee is the most consumed beverage in Germany. Around 86 percent of all adults drink coffee daily or multiple times a week.

Given this high consumption, it’s no surprise that coffee stains occur frequently. The sooner you react, the easier it is to remove these unsightly stains. With these home remedies and tips, you can do so effortlessly and without stress.

Home Remedies for Removing Coffee Stains

Baking Powder

Baking powder is a tried-and-true home remedy that works on both fresh and old coffee stains.

If you’ve just spilled coffee, immediately sprinkle a generous amount of baking powder onto the stained area. Let it sit for a few minutes so that the coffee stain can absorb the remedy. Then, gently brush off the remaining powder with a clothes brush. Finally, put the garment into the washing machine and wash it as usual.

If the coffee stain has already dried, sprinkle baking powder over it and pour some warm water on top. Let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then, rinse the garment with cold water, remove any leftover baking powder, and wash it in the washing machine as usual.

Tip: To avoid faded spots on colored clothing, consider using a different home remedy instead of baking powder.

Baking Soda and Washing Soda

As an alternative to baking powder, baking soda and washing soda are also popular home remedies for removing coffee stains.

To remove the stain, sprinkle the remedy onto the affected area, pour warm water over it, and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then, rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Dish Soap and Laundry Detergent

Dish soap and laundry detergent are also excellent home remedies for removing coffee stains, especially fresh ones.

1. First, gently blot the coffee stain with a paper towel—do not rub or wipe!
2. Dissolve some dish soap or laundry detergent in warm water and dab it onto the coffee stain.
3. Wash as usual. Removing coffee stains couldn’t be easier!

Alcohol and Distilled Water

For delicate fabrics that cannot be washed in a machine, alcohol or distilled water is recommended for coffee stain removal.

1. If the stain is fresh, blot it up with a paper towel.
2. If the stain has dried, apply a home remedy directly to it.
3. Soak a clean cotton cloth in distilled water or alcohol and dab the stain until it disappears.

Quick and Easy Stain Removal

Old, Dried Coffee Stains

Did you miss a few small coffee stains on clothing or a tablecloth, and now they’ve dried? No problem! Gall soap is an effective home remedy to quickly remove these coffee stains.

1. Always test the remedy on a hidden area of the fabric first to ensure colorfastness.
2. Apply gall soap to the coffee stain and gently massage it into the fabric with your fingertips.
3. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
4. Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water.
5. Wash the garment or tablecloth in the washing machine at the highest recommended temperature.

If you don’t have gall soap at home, you can use dishwasher tablets instead. Dissolve one tablet in warm water, soak the stained area, and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse with clean water and wash as usual. The coffee stain will be gone!

Removing Coffee Stains from Carpet, Sofa, and More

Did someone accidentally bump into you while you were enjoying coffee on the sofa, leaving a large brown stain on the carpet? That’s frustrating, but don’t worry—these coffee stains can also be easily removed. Since you can’t toss a carpet or sofa into the washing machine, a home remedy is needed. Try using carbonated water to lift the stain.

1. First, test the remedy on a hidden area of the fabric.
2. Gently blot the coffee stain with a paper towel—do not rub or wipe!
3. Pour a small amount of carbonated mineral water over the stain.
4. Dab the stain again with a paper towel until the area is dry.

If the coffee stain is particularly stubborn and still visible, try using alcohol or rubbing spirits as a home remedy:

1. Blot up as much of the coffee as possible with a paper towel—again, do not rub or wipe!
2. Soak a clean cotton cloth in pure alcohol or rubbing spirits and place it on the stain.
3. Let it sit for a few minutes.
4. Remove the cotton cloth and blot the stain with another paper towel.
5. Continue blotting until the fabric is dry.
6. If the stain is still not completely removed, repeat the process.

Tip: You can also use a carpet cleaner to remove coffee stains from carpets.

Removing Coffee Stains from Clothing

Whether it’s fruit, grease, or coffee stains, the rule is the same: The sooner you notice and treat the stain, the better your chances of removing it. Often, a bit of water and hand soap or detergent is all you need.

1. Blot up as much coffee as possible with a paper towel.
2. Apply light pressure while blotting to absorb liquid that has already seeped into the fabric.
3. Again, do not rub or wipe!
4. Soak the garment in water. If it’s a latte or coffee with milk, add some hand soap or detergent to break down the milk fat.
5. Tip: If the stain is on white fabric, you can use milk instead of water for soaking.
6. Wash the garment first with warm water, then rinse again with cold water.
7. Finally, wash the garment in the washing machine as usual. The coffee stain will be gone!