The Best Way to Get Out a Coffee Stain
- 1). Blot the coffee stain to remove any surface liquid. If the stain has dried onto the surface, you can skip to the next step, but if the stain is still wet, use paper towels or soft cloths to absorb as much of the coffee as possible. Do not rub the coffee stain, but blot with rapid motions until you cannot absorb any more liquid.
- 2). Mix two parts water and one part distilled vinegar. The acetic acid can dissolve coffee stains without damaging or discoloring any of your household surfaces, making it the ideal solution. Soak a soft cloth or sponge in the mixture, and then wring it out to remove the excess saturation.
- 3). Dab your coffee stain with the vinegar solution until the coffee particles begin to loosen and lift. Vinegar sometimes requires a few minutes to fully penetrate surfaces, so if you do not see immediate results, let it set for 15 minutes and try blotting again.
- 4). Create a second mixture containing 1 quart of water and 1/4 teaspoon dish detergent if vinegar alone fails to do the job. Apply the solution to the stain using a soft cloth or sponge, exactly as you did before, until the stain loosens.
- 5). Rinse the coffee stain by blotting with a water-dampened cloth or sponge. If you pour water directly over porous surfaces, you may develop mold of mildew, but if you minimize your use of moisture, you can safely clean stains without creating other household hazards.
- 6). Dry your surface as thoroughly as possible. If the coffee stain appeared on a movable object such as a piece of furniture or fabric, place the article in direct sunlight to dry. Otherwise, you can use a heat source such as a hair dryer. For flat surfaces such as carpeting, you can use a wet-dry vacuum to absorb all moisture, turn on a portable dehumidifier or place a thick towel over the affected area, as well as a heavy object on top of the towel.