How to Remove Coffee Stains from Your Life

Tips and tricks for removing coffee stains from problem surfaces
Inevitable—coffee stains everything. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get those stains out. Depending on what material the coffee has been spilled on, there are a variety of tools you can use to remove the stains. Here are a few commonly coffee-stained items and the best ways to get those stains out.

Carpet
You make your morning coffee and walk into the living room to watch the news; on your way there, the dog jumps out in front of you and trips you. The mug goes flying, spilling black coffee all over the brand new carpet. Quick—grab a beer out of the fridge and pour a small amount over the stain, according to Reader’s Digest. Let it sit for a minute, then use an old towel to soak it up. The coffee, and the stain, should come right with it. You can repeat this process if necessary.

Dishes
If your beautiful wedding china has been stained by your grandpa’s insistence on drinking his five cups of coffee black, reach for some baking soda. Reader’s Digest suggests dipping a damp cloth in some baking soda and rubbing it directly on the dishes. The baking soda and water should combine into a thick paste for you to use as a kind of soap. Then simply rinse the dishes and put them away.

Car seats
According to Compare.com, the most important step in cleaning coffee stains out of your car is to act fast. The stain will become far more difficult to clean if it sets into the material. Use a towel, blanket or any other material that will absorb and blot until you’ve managed to soak up the liquid. Next, create a mixture: one-third vinegar, two-thirds water and a small amount of dishwashing liquid. Gently rub the mixture into the stain with a towel. Rinse the stain with plain water and blot up the rest of the liquid. To dry the area, Compare.com recommends using a blow dryer on a low setting.

Clothing
Did you spill coffee down the front of your dress shirt on the way to work? The Huffington Post recommends using paper towels to soak up the stain. It’s important that you blot the shirt, not rub. Rubbing the stain will just make it worse. Once you’ve soaked up as much of the liquid as possible, use a stain removal pen on the spot. If you’re at home, let some stain remover soak on the shirt before throwing it in the washing machine for its designed cycle.

Furniture upholstery
The dreaded stain: upholstery. You can’t just throw the beautifully upholstered chair in the washing machine, so what do you do? Stain Removal 101 recommends a combination of cold water and dishwashing liquid. After blotting the stain, mix two cups of cold water and one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and apply it to a sponge. Use the sponge to blot the stain until it disappears. If necessary, you can repeat this process several times. Once the stain has been lifted, blot with plain water to remove any soap residue; then blot with a new towel until the spot is dry.

There is no reason you should have to give up your morning coffee to avoid coffee stains. You can kick those stains to the curb without a second thought, no matter what material it made its way onto.