How to Remove a Coffee Stain from a Cotton Shirt

Co-authored by Susan Stocker

Last Updated: July 22, 2021 Approved

Coffee stains on cotton shirts are no reason to panic as most can be treated and completely washed away using only simple cleaners that you likely already have. The method you'll need to use to get the stain out or reduce how visible it is will depend on how long the stain has been on the shirt. With a deep-cleaning wash or a treatment with a stain-removing solution, like lemon juice and baking soda, your cotton shirt can be returned to its former, stain-free appearance.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Washing a Fresh Stain

1
Wet some paper towels or a piece of cotton cloth with cold water. Blot the stain with the wet paper towels or cloth to remove as much of the stain as you can. Make sure that you only blot at the stain, as rubbing may cause it to spread.
- Cold water is best for a fresh stain, since heat can "set" the stain into the fabric.
2
Run the shirt under cold water from the back. Washing from the side opposite the stain will help push the coffee off the shirt, instead of pressing it further in.^{[1]
X
Research source} Wring out the shirt of excess water.

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3
Treat with dishwashing liquid. This should pick up some of the stain and mix it into a soapy residue, which is easier to remove.^{[2]
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The Smithsonian Institution
Leading group of museums and research institution funded by the U.S. government
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- You may use diluted shampoo instead, but only if it contains no fragrance, color, or conditioner.
4
Rinse away the soap with white vinegar. The coffee stain is slightly acidic, so vinegar is more effective than pure water.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
The Smithsonian Institution
Leading group of museums and research institution funded by the U.S. government
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- Make sure you're using white vinegar. Other types of vinegar could stain your shirt.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Susan Stocker
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
5
Repeat the dishwashing liquid and vinegar treatments. You may need to apply dishwashing liquid and vinegar up to seven times to remove stubborn stains.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
The Smithsonian Institution
Leading group of museums and research institution funded by the U.S. government
Go to source} However, if you don't notice any change after two or three treatments, it's probably best to move on to the next step.
6
Use a pretreatment laundry stain remover. If the dishwashing liquid and vinegar didn't do it, move on to a commercial product. Stain removers in bar soap form can be rubbed directly onto the stain, and left for about a minute. Liquid stain removers can be effective as well, but work best when you have time to soak the clothing in water for a longer period of time.
- If you do not have a commercial laundry stain remover, apply a small amount of liquid detergent to the stain. Rub the detergent onto the stain with your fingers, and let it sit on the shirt for about 15 minutes.
- You can buy stain removers specifically for coffee, but these are usually expensive for what's hopefully a one-time occurrence.
7
Rinse the shirt thoroughly, then wash. Use cold water for both the rinsing and washing, as hot water can cause a stain to set. Be sure to rinse out the stain remover thoroughly if you use bleach in your laundry, as the two products can react to dye your clothes.
8
Allow the shirt to air dry.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Other Treatments

1
Treat with lemon juice. Test the lemon juice first by swabbing a little on the inside collar. If the fabric doesn't turn yellow, treat the stain with more lemon juice, let sit, and rinse off. Rinse the stain first if the coffee contained a lot of sugar, as this can react with acid to add a new, brownish-yellow stain that's tough to take out.
2
Apply hydrogen peroxide or color safe bleach. You can buy hydrogen peroxide from a pharmacy, or color safe bleach from anywhere that sells household supplies. Test colored fabric first by swabbing a little onto the inside collar. If the color isn't affected, rub over the stain and let sit for about thirty seconds before rinsing off. If stain persists, apply without rubbing and wait another thirty seconds, then rinse. Repeat as necessary.
- If the coffee stain has already set, mix the hydrogen peroxide with some dishwashing liquid or liquid soap before applying.
- Color safe bleach usually includes hydrogen peroxide. If one doesn't work, the other probably won't either.
- You can use regular bleach instead, for white shirts.
3
Remove the stain using baking soda and white vinegar. Sprinkle some baking soda onto the stain and let it soak up as much of the coffee as possible. Then, scrub the stain with a baking soda and water paste. Apply white vinegar to the stain, let it sit for 4 minutes, then blot the stain with a paper towel before washing your shirt.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Susan Stocker
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
4
Blot with rubbing alcohol. Apply some rubbing alcohol onto the stain. Blot with a clean, wet cloth. Rinse.^{[7]
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Research source}
5
Rub with egg yolk. Beat an egg yolk, and add a little warm water. Rub the mixture onto the stain using a sponge or a terry cloth. Rinse.^{[8]
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Research source}
6
Leave it in the sun. Soak the stain with water and lay the shirt over a towel in direct sunlight. Many stains will disappear after two or three days of hot sun, and it may make the fabric look more vivid as well.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I remove a coffee stain from carpet?

Community Answer

Use a stain remover designed for carpets and/or upholstery. That should do the trick.
Question

How do I remove the tea stains using any fruit without any vinegar?

Nathan Hendershot[BHS]

Community Answer

You should be able to use any type of lime or lemon to clean the stain. Pat down the spot with lime or lemon juice and dab it with a damp cloth (do not scrub, as this can push the stains father apart, making a bigger mess).

Warnings

If the stain is still present, make sure not to dry the shirt in the clothes dryer or iron it. Applying heat in this manner will lock in the stain and make it permanent.

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