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How to remove dried coffee stains from upholstery


5 Easy Methods to Remove Coffee Stains From Furniture

For many of us, coffee is a daily necessity in life. And while the occasional coffee spill is inevitable, stains don’t have to be. The good news is that coffee stains are relatively easy to remove, with one caveat: you have to act fast. Before you furiously scrub a coffee stain with a wet washcloth though, beware of which cleaning methods work, and which do more harm than good. (Scrubbing = more harm, no good.)

Don’t let a little spill ruin your day or your furniture. Instead, follow along with the foolproof methods we’ve broken down for you below. You can think of removing a coffee stain as a trial-and-error process; always start with the easiest solution before moving on to the next method.

Here to rescue our furniture from clumsy coffee spills is Alicia Sokolowski, founder of AspenClean, an eco-conscious cleaning products company and house cleaning service. With the help of Sokolowski, we’ve detailed step-by-step how to remove a coffee stain from your furniture, whether it’s fresh or dried, on fabric or wood.  

Design: Morse Design; Photo: Heidi Harris

“Fresh coffee stains need to be removed ASAP,” Sokolowski says. “The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to remove the stain.”

  1. Blot the stain gently using a clean microfiber cloth, concentrating towards the center of the stain. Do not scrub. Blot as much of the stain as possible before moving to the next step.
  2. Flush with a cup of cold water. Blot the water gently.
  3. Repeat until all coffee of the stain has been lifted. Air-dry it with a fan or dryer set at low temperature. Do not apply heat, including lamps, as heat will set the stain.

This one’s easy: simply wipe the spill with a microfiber cloth. 

The longer a coffee stain has to set in, the more difficult it will be to remove. It’s not a lost cause though—far from it. There are three methods to removing a dried coffee stain from fabric furniture, so start with the first (and easiest) before moving on to the other methods.  

  1. Make a cleaning mixture with warm water, laundry detergent, and vinegar, using a few drops of detergent, 1/3 cup vinegar, and 2/3 cup of warm water.
  2. Dip a clean cloth in the mixture and rub it into the stain. Wait a few minutes, then flush it with cold water, making sure to remove all the soapy solution from the upholstery. Blot with a dry clean cloth. Air dry completely away from direct heat.
  3. If the soapy water doesn't quite do it, sprinkle some baking soda onto the stain. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum up the baking soda.
  4. If, after using baking soda, the stain still hasn't completely disappeared, use an oxygen bleach stain remover. Mix a tablespoon of oxygen bleach with 2 tablespoons of hot water and rub the stain with the mixture. Before trying this method, test the stain remover on a small, inconspicuous area. 

Design: Maggie Griffin Design; Photo:Brian Bieder

“While these seem like stubborn stains, they’re actually easily managed,” Sokolowski says.  For dried coffee ring stains on tables, kitchen counters, or even on coasters, choose one of these two cleaning options.

  1. Wipe down the surface with a mixture of warm water and baking soda. 
  2. Alternatively, simply spray on some all-purpose cleaner on the stain and wipe down with a microfiber cloth. 

“All stains that include tannins—like coffee, tea, red wine—are even more difficult to remove if they are mixed with other substances, like cream and sugar,” Sokolowski says. For those spills, break out the strong stuff.

  1. If your coffee stain includes cream or sugar, use a detergent that contains enzymes. (Sokolowski suggests AspenClean’s Unscented Laundry Pods.)
  2. Either break a pod or mix a teaspoon of detergent with a cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the stain, then wait 15 minutes.
  3. Splash the stain with cold water, and blot with a clean, dry towel.

Thought those dark rings of coffee stains in your beloved mugs were permanent? No way, according to Sokolowski. They’re very easy to remove with this simple method.

  1. First sprinkle baking soda in the cup, then add enough water to the cup to form a paste.
  2. Scrub with a sponge for a couple of minutes, then rinse.

How to Wash Your Comforter in 5 Ridiculously Easy Steps

7+ Ways to Remove Coffee Stains from Upholstery

Spilled coffee is not a laughing matter, especially when it gets splattered onto your favorite piece of furniture. Coffee is a popular morning beverage, and unfortunately, it is also one of the toughest stains to remove. Learn how to remove coffee stains from upholstery to prevent discoloration on your car upholstery and household furniture.

Blotting coffee spills before any more of it settles into the fabric is one of the most important avenues you can take when trying to remove a fresh coffee stain from the upholstery. Once you accomplish that, you can move on to removing the remaining coffee stain.

(belchonock/123rf.com)

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Table Of Contents

  1. Ways to Remove Coffee Stains from Upholstery
    • Get Coffee Stain Out of a Couch
    • Getting Coffee Stains Out of Car Upholstery
    • Cleaning Upholstery Coffee Stains with Hydrogen Peroxide and Ammonia
    • Clean Coffee Stains on Upholstery with Vinegar
    • Removing Coffee Stains from Car Seat Upholstery
    • Quick Method for Removing Coffee Stains from Upholstery
    • Removing Upholstery Coffee Stains with Laundry Detergent
    • How to Remove Old Coffee Stains from Upholstered Furniture
    • Treating Microfiber and Ultrasuede

There are many methods for removing coffee stains from upholstery, and while all are relatively effective, some work better than others. While you could use a commercial upholstery cleaner to remove stubborn stains, using a cleaning solution made of natural ingredients is better for the environment and your pocketbook.

Get Coffee Stain Out of a Couch

Couches are the center point of a living room and can cost a pretty penny. Don’t let spilled coffee or other unfortunate stains ruin a perfectly good piece of furniture.

The process for cleaning a fabric couch or one made from leather or microfiber shows you how to get coffee stain out of a couch using gentle dish soap and water. This simple recipe works for many different types of stains.

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Couch Coffee Stain Cleaner

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To get rid of a coffee spill on carpet or your favorite recliner, combine the water and dish soap in a bowl and stir gently. Dip the paper towel into the soapy water and use it to dab at the coffee stain.

Be sure to start at the outer edges and work your way in to avoid expanding the stain. After letting the solution rest for a few minutes, use a fresh paper towel dipped in clean water to dab at the area. Use a dry cloth to absorb any of the liquid residue.

Getting Coffee Stains Out of Car Upholstery

Car upholstery is probably one of the most common areas to spill coffee. Here is how to get coffee stains out of car upholstery. You may need to use an alternative method for cleaning leather car seats.

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Car Upholstery Cleaner

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To get stains out of car upholstery, pour club soda in a spray bottle and spritz the stained area of the car seat. Use a clean cloth to dab and pull the stain out of the fabric.

Rinse the area with clean water and reapply the spray if needed to remove coffee stains from car seats or any that may have spilled onto the carpet or mats. Rinse the rag with cold water and wipe the area clean. Be sure to let the area dry completely to prevent mildew formation.

If you end up spilling coffee on your shirt and pants as well as the carpet, getting coffee stains out of clothes is just as easy as removing it from the carpet. Follow the same procedure for a temporary fix. When it’s feasible, launder the clothing as soon as you can.

Cleaning Upholstery Coffee Stains with Hydrogen Peroxide and Ammonia

Hydrogen peroxide is a gentle bleaching agent that you can safely use to remove stains. This recipe works well to remove black coffee and other stubborn stains.

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Upholstery Stain Removal Method

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Combine the hydrogen peroxide and ammonia in a bowl and dip a clean towel into the liquid. Dab at the stained area with the cloth and then place a sheet of plastic wrap over the top. Place something heavy over the plastic to hold it in place and let it sit for two hours.

Remove the weight and plastic and get a clean cloth wet with cold water. Dab at the stained area to rinse away residue. After you finish rinsing, use a clean towel to soak up excess moisture.

Clean Coffee Stains on Upholstery with Vinegar

The acidity of white vinegar breaks up and lifts tough stains out of just about anything. Use this upholstery cleaner spray to remove coffee stains out of your upholstery using the power of vinegar.

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Vinegar Upholstery Cleaning Spray

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Combine the cold water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and add a squirt of dish soap. Shake the bottle gently and spray it onto the surface of the stain. Apply just enough of the solution so that the stain is covered but not saturated.

Allow the upholstery cleaner to sit for 30 minutes before using a clean and wet cloth to rinse the area and a towel to blot it dry.

Removing Coffee Stains from Car Seat Upholstery

Baking soda is an ideal ingredient to use for absorbing and lifting away coffee stains. This method works best at eliminating fresh coffee stains.

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Baking Soda Stain Remover

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Use a paper towel to blot up the area and then apply a wet washcloth to the stain without rubbing it. Sprinkle just enough baking soda onto the stain to cover it and let it sit for 30 minutes.

Use the wet cloth to wipe away the baking soda and coffee residue. Blot the spot dry with a paper towel.

Quick Method for Removing Coffee Stains from Upholstery

For small coffee stains, all you need is a sponge and a little soap to remove it quickly. Additionally, you can also use this recipe as a DIY mattress stain remover.

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Easy Coffee Stain Remover

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Apply a small amount of the dish detergent to a damp sponge and rub it into the stained area using a circular motion, without spreading the stain outward. Rinse the sponge with cold water, wring it out, and rub the area to remove any of the soap residue.

This simple recipe is appropriate for your couches, recliners, and car seats. It’s the best way to clean car upholstery and eliminate unsightly and smelly stains of all types.

Removing Upholstery Coffee Stains with Laundry Detergent

If the coffee spill contains milk, use an enzyme laundry detergent to remove the stain. If your sofa has removable covers, the way to wash couch covers is to first check the care label.

You may be able to treat the stain and stick them in the washer on a gentle setting for regular cleaning and complete stain removal. Air drying may be best to prevent shrinkage.

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Upholstery Stain Remover

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Get a sponge wet with cold water and wring it out. Apply a small amount of the liquid detergent to the sponge and dab at the stained area of the upholstery.

Rinse the sponge with cold water and use it to rinse away the soap and coffee residue. Dry the area thoroughly with a cloth.

How to Remove Old Coffee Stains from Upholstered Furniture

Vinegar is an acidic liquid that works well at breaking up stains. This method uses equal parts white vinegar and water to remove old, dried coffee stains from upholstery.

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Old Coffee Stain Remover

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Combine the white vinegar and lukewarm water in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray the stained area enough to cover it but not saturate it. Use a toothbrush to gently work the stain away. Get a cloth wet with cold water and rinse the vinegar and coffee residue away before drying with a clean towel.

Treating Microfiber and Ultrasuede

For these types of material, treatment is a little more tricky. Some cleaners can cause more harm than good when you try to clean Ultrasuede furniture or pieces made with microfiber. Adding a little rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth and dabbing at the stain usually is enough to eliminate it.

Alcohol may also be used to get nail polish off a couch. If the stain is dry, scrape off as much of the nail polish as you can before treating it. Darker colored nail polish may require several treatments to completely get rid of the stain.

How you clean a stain depends on the type of stain and the stained surface. Removing a coffee stain from upholstery using the right coffee stain removal process keeps the fabric looking fresh and new.

Now that you have cleaned that coffee stain from your favorite piece of furniture, you can go back to enjoying your cup of coffee.

(belchonock/123rf.com)

We are pleased we could show you how to remove coffee stains from upholstery, and we’d love it if you shared our upholstery cleaning tips with the coffee drinkers in your family on Facebook and Pinterest.

How to remove coffee stains from clothes, furniture, carpet

Coffee stains on clothes, carpet and upholstered furniture are not always easy to remove, but there are available methods that can be used to eliminate all the consequences of a spilled drink. The coffee solution is an excellent dye. That is why coffee stains are difficult to remove - the liquid penetrates deep enough into the fibers of the fabric, is quickly absorbed and stains the fabric itself in a persistent yellow-brown or dark brown color.

If you quickly “react” to spilled coffee, then this problem will not be difficult to cope with - fresh coffee stains can be washed off quite easily from any type of fabric.

Of course, the most common way to remove coffee stains is with a stain remover that penetrates the structure of the fabric and can sometimes cope with old stains. Moreover, modern products do not contain aggressively active substances that destroy tissue. However, it must be said that the quality of removing a coffee stain depends more on how old it is, and not on the stain remover itself. Some old pollution cannot be removed by any, even the most expensive means.

It is in this case that proven methods will come to the rescue, and even a freshly placed stain can be easily removed with simple improvised means.

In the article we will tell you:

  1. How to quickly display a fresh coffee spot
  2. on clothes
  3. on upholstered furniture
  4. on the carpet
  5. How to withdraw old coffee spots
  6. on clothing
  7. on soft furniture 900.

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    How to quickly remove a fresh coffee stain

    A stain is considered fresh until it is completely dry. If possible, try to keep coffee stains from drying out as they will be much more difficult to clean up later. If on the first try you are not able to completely remove the coffee, then we recommend that you follow the tips for removing old stains.

    On clothing

    Immediately after coffee has been spilled on clothing, either rinse the area with cold water or blot with paper towels to absorb any excess liquid. Then a fresh wet stain from coffee should be covered with fine salt. Rub the salt a little and then wash the item in warm water. First, without detergent, wash the place of contamination, and then wash the whole thing in the usual way. It is necessary to iron the dried thing only from the wrong side.

    Salt mixed with glycerine also works well on fresh stains. To do this, you need to take a teaspoon of fine salt, add glycerin to it and make a kind of gruel out of the mixture. Apply the mixture to the stain, lightly rub and wait until the coffee stains discolor. Wash the item at the water temperature indicated on the label.

    Lightweight synthetics and silks can be washed in cool water with alcohol (0.5 l of water and 1 tbsp of alcohol). Just rinse the thing in this solution - the stain should go away.

    Freshly spilled coffee can be removed from woolen and silk fabrics simply with glycerin. Slightly warm glycerin should be poured onto the contamination and left for 10 minutes. Then put the thing in soapy water for 10 hours, and then wash it.

    Coffee stain can be removed from white cotton fabrics with hydrogen peroxide. Before use, you need to check the reaction of the fabric to the substance - drop peroxide somewhere in an inconspicuous place and wait 5 minutes to see if stains appear. Then wet the stained area with hydrogen peroxide and after 10 minutes wash the item in cool water.

    Simply put the linen under a stream of lukewarm water and the coffee will gradually wash out of the fabric.

    Upholstered furniture

    Coffee stains on furniture are not difficult to remove, the main thing is to do it quickly. Moreover, all furniture fabrics initially have resistance to various “troubles”. The fastest way to help is a kitchen sponge dipped in soapy water. She needs to wipe the stain until it comes off. In this case, you do not need to pour a lot of water on the furniture. After the procedure, simply blot any excess moisture with dry cotton napkins.

    Spilled coffee on furniture can be cleaned up with a solution of glycerin and water (1 liter of water and 2 tbsp of glycerin). Just wipe it off with a sponge dipped in a glycerin solution.

    Carpet

    In this case, speed is also very important - blot up excess spilled liquid with paper towels. In no case do not rub the surface, as the stain will spread even more. Apply the same action to the carpet as to the furniture - wash off the dirt with a sponge and soapy water.

    Carpet stains can be quickly removed with glass cleaner. It is necessary to moisten a cloth with detergent and wipe the contaminated area until the stain is completely removed. Then moisten another cloth in clean water and wipe the carpet from the product.

    How to remove old coffee stains

    Old coffee stains are difficult to deal with. Here an important role is played by the composition of the tissue and the statute of limitations of the pollution itself.

    On clothes

    In most cases, clothes should be soaked in cold water to loosen dried-on old stains, and then the removal method of your choice should be applied. If the soiling is light, an industrial stain remover and a regular wash according to the composition of the fabric will do.

    A mixture of ammonia (10%) - 2 tsp, glycerin - 0.5 tsp copes well with old stains. and cold water. By the way, this is a universal recipe that goes very well with all types of fabrics. This mixture must be applied to the coffee stain and left for a day, then rinse the clothes in cool water and wash in soapy water. Perhaps the only exception is that you should not use such a mixture on delicate silk clothes.

    For delicate fabrics, a mixture of washing powder and table vinegar (9%). Mix the substances, add a little water to make a white paste. The resulting product is applied to the place of contamination from both sides and carefully rubbed into the fabric. After that, the clothes are rinsed in cool water. If the stain is not completely removed, then you need to repeat the whole procedure again. After removing the stain, wash the item as usual.

    On upholstered furniture

    Dry spots on upholstery should first be softened with warm glycerin. To do this, moisten the cotton wool and wipe the place of contamination with it. Leave for 30 minutes, then wash the area with water and dry. If there are weak stains, then you can apply an aerosol stain remover.

    Carpet

    Old dried stains on carpet should be wiped with warm glycerin and then with alcohol (several times). Another effective way is a mixture of 1 tsp. salt and 10 drops of ammonia. This mixture is rubbed with light movements into an old coffee stain and left in this form for 5 minutes. After cleaning the carpet with a brush.

    Coffee spills on long pile carpet can be removed with petrol. Moisten the stain with gasoline, then wipe it several times with a cloth soaked in alcohol. Then clean the carpet with a carpet cleaner.

    Be aware that ammonia and petrol are active substances with a toxic odor. Be careful not to bring these liquids close to your face. Always work with rubber gloves.

    When removing stains from clothes, furniture or carpets, be careful not to overdo it with active agents. First, "test" the resulting stain remover in a secluded place, so as not to accidentally spoil the whole thing.

    How to get coffee stains out of clothes

    • For natural fabrics

    • For old stains

    • For silk and wool

    • Kitchen way

    • For stubborn stains

    • Glycerine method

    • How to wash coffee from white clothes

    • For sofa or carpet

    • For synthetic fabrics

    • How to wash coffee from jeans

    • Leather goods

    • Shedding fabrics

    • How to wash coffee from colored clothes

    • Caffe au lait stain remover

    What a morning without coffee! But even the best morning can ruin a coffee stain. And this is not a speck of fat, which can be almost invisible on some things, but a dark dot in the most inappropriate place. Worst of all, if you have light-colored clothes, because you can’t tell that this is part of the design. How to remove coffee stains?

    For natural fabrics

    Linen and cotton are very absorbent, so you need to wash these things as soon as possible. If you decide to go through the stain all day, then it’s not a fact that you can then wash coffee from cotton. But at the same time, it’s quite simple to clean this fabric: lather the place of pollution and stretch it. Repeat this procedure until you get the result. If you have a plain white thing, then you can try to boil it - this will help remove the remaining dirt from the fabric. But if you have a colored item, then forget about hot water, as things will simply shed.

    For stubborn stains

    If the stain has had time to dry, then it will be quite difficult to remove coffee from clothes. To make washing easier, soak the item in salt water. Then wash the clothes at the maximum temperature allowed. In the machine, run at least 2 rinses.

    For silk and wool

    Silk and wool must first be washed with a cloth soaked in a soapy ammonia solution and only after that they are washed. For the solution, you will need any soap (ideally laundry, as it copes best with stains) and a little ammonia (3-5 tsp of ammonia will be enough for 1 liter of water). After cleaning, wash the item as usual.

    Also try another folk way - mix alcohol, water and ammonia and wipe the fabric with this solution.

    Wool can be cleaned with a swab soaked in gasoline and washed with a mixture of ammonia and water. Be sure to thoroughly wash things, because otherwise they will continue to smell of petroleum products.

    Kitchen way

    Coffee stains can also be removed with salt and glycerin. Just mix them, apply the mixture on the stain and after it resolves, wash the item.

    For stubborn stains

    This is a very time-consuming, but at the same time effective method. First, try scrubbing the stain with a brush dipped in warm water. This is necessary in order for the cleaning mixture to better penetrate the fibers. After that, wash the clothes in a soapy solution with the addition of 1⁄2 tsp. soda ash per 1 liter. water, and rinse 2 times in warm and 1 time in cold water.

    Glycerine method

    Apply glycerin to the stain and leave the garment on for about 20 minutes before washing it in warm water. To combat old stains, use 1 tsp. glycerin mixed with st.l. water and a few drops of ammonia. Wipe the cloth until the stain is gone. Most importantly, do not make a hole there!

    How to wash coffee from white clothes

    Dilute 0.5 tsp. to a glass of water. Treat the stain and wash with warm water. If you have citric acid, add that as well. The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise you will burn the fabric. This is how you wash coffee from white knitwear, satin and other fabrics.

    For sofa or carpet

    If a thing is simply impossible to wash because of its size (the same sofas or carpets), then try discoloring the stain with hydrogen peroxide. But it's better to play it safe and check the action in an inconspicuous place, since we do not know the exact composition of the fabric for upholstery of your furniture.

    For synthetic fabrics

    To remove coffee stains from synthetics, stock up on water and alcohol. Mix a liter of water and 1 tbsp. alcohol and soak the item in this mixture, then rinse the fabric under running water and leave it to dry naturally.

    How to wash coffee from jeans

    Since we need to remove a coffee stain from jeans, take oxalic and citric acid, ammonia and stain remover with you. There are 2 effective ways to clean fabric:

    • Mix 10 drops of ammonia and 0.5 liters of water and pour over the stain. After washing, it will be enough just to rinse the clothes.
    • Just pour some citric or oxalic acid on the stain, leave it on for about 1-1.5 hours and wash it off. You do not need to increase the time, otherwise you will have “fashion jeans” with a speck.

    Leather goods

    If you spilled coffee on your favorite bag or jacket, then get ready to wipe it with gasoline or turpentine. The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise you will dry out the product, and it will begin to crack. After cleaning, soak the fabric with castor oil or shoe polish. If you have special care products, then use them! You need to moisturize your skin as much as possible after such work.

    To remove coffee stains from suede, all you need is a simple soap solution and a soft sponge. After applying the solution, let it sit on the fabric and then gently clean off the stain. If someone advises you to clean suede with oily gel - send the person to hell! It will only make the situation worse.

    Shedding fabrics

    Treat the stain with 10% borax solution. If there are still stains, then try removing them with a mixture of salt and lemon juice. This should remove the contamination without damaging the product.

    How to wash coffee from colored clothes

    You can wash coffee from colored clothes with table salt without impurities. Salt should be applied to the stain and rubbed gently until the stain loses color. Then rinse with running water.

    Removing stains from coffee with milk

    Not everyone likes pure coffee, many people like to add milk there. And this means that the stain will be more oily than it could be initially. Therefore, here you will have to remove it in 2 steps. First you must wipe the thing with gasoline, and then wipe it again with a 3% peroxide solution or perhydrol. Apply with a brush, cotton swab or gauze. You can also try mixing white clay and water, this should remove all the dirt.

    As you can see, with due effort, coffee stains can be removed from any fabric. And we wish you cheerfulness, and that you drink coffee only to enjoy its taste!

    If the coffee stain still cannot be removed, this is not a reason to be upset.

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