Coffee has a habit of finding that favourite shirt you did not want to stain. Before you give up on the shirt or reach for a harsh cleaner, try a few simple laundry tricks that can help lift the mark without damaging the fabric.

Start with cold water

If the coffee has just spilled, act quickly. Blot the excess coffee with a clean cloth or paper towel. Do not rub it aggressively, as that can push the liquid further into the fibres.

Turn the garment inside out and rinse the back of the stained area under cool running water. This helps push the coffee out of the fabric rather than further into it.

This simple step is particularly useful for cotton shirts, T-shirts and other washable clothes.

For coloured clothes: use liquid laundry detergent

For a coloured garment, liquid laundry detergent is a good first option. Apply a small amount directly to the coffee stain and gently work it into the fabric with your fingers. Leave it for a few minutes, then rinse. You can then wash the garment according to its care label.

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If the stain is older, a detergent containing enzymes may help, particularly when soaking is recommended on the product label. Pre-treat the coffee stains with liquid laundry detergent or a suitable pre-wash stain remover before laundering.

One important step: Check the stain before putting the clothes in the dryer. If you can still see it, treat and wash it again. Heat from drying can make stains much harder to remove.

For stubborn stains: try diluted white vinegar

White vinegar can be useful when detergent alone has not done the job.

Soak the coffee-stained washable garment in a mixture of warm water, a small amount of dishwashing liquid and white vinegar for 15 minutes, followed by rinsing and laundering.

For cotton or linen, it is advised to dilute vinegar with two parts water before using it. Always test the solution on an inconspicuous part of a coloured garment first, because vinegar can affect some dyes.

Do not pour vinegar straight onto an expensive or delicate garment without checking its care instructions first.

For white clothes: use oxygen bleach if needed

White clothes give you a little more room when dealing with a stubborn coffee mark. After rinsing and pre-treating with detergent, wash the garment according to its care label.

If the stain remains, an oxygen-bleach product can be used when it is suitable for the fabric. Oxygen bleach is an option for coffee and tea stains.

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Chlorine bleach should only be used when the garment's care instructions allow it. More bleach is not necessarily better, and using the wrong type can damage fabric.

What if the coffee stain has dried?

Do not panic. Dried stains can take more than one attempt.

First, wet the area with cool water and apply liquid laundry detergent or a suitable stain remover. Let it sit according to the product instructions before washing. Older stains may benefit from a detergent containing enzymes.

If the mark is still there after washing, repeat the treatment rather than drying the garment.

A few things to remember

  • Check the care label first, especially for delicate fabrics.
  • Test stain-removing products on a hidden area of coloured clothing.
  • Avoid rubbing hard, particularly on delicate fabrics.
  • Do not dry the garment until the stain has disappeared.
  • If the label says dry clean only, it is better to take the garment to a professional cleaner rather than experimenting at home.