Laundry Tips: Removing Coffee or Tea Stains

Removing tea or coffee stains (or other types).

My children always stain their clothing so some of these tips apply to their stains also. I have used the stain sticks or sprays (left them on for days) but sometimes have to go a few more rounds of treatments.

I have had to try a few of these tips at a time to remove stubborn stains.
Spent my day removing stains!

Remember to blot out a stain to prevent the stain from spreading.
I also treat the underside of the stain too.

1. Apply an even mix of vinegar and water (1/2 cup vinegar to 1/2 cup water) -- then wash in cold water with your regular laundry detergent. If the stain is pretty bad, just let it sit on the fabric for a few hours then wash.

2. Using a quarter cut of a lemon, heat the lemon in the microwave for 15 seconds to release more juice. Rub the lemon onto the stain and leave out in the sun. (Good for stains on white items especially.) Wash as usual.

3. Wet a terry cloth with warm water. Sprinkle baking soda onto it then rub into the stain. Wash as usual.

4. Hand cleaner GOOP or M30 Stain Remover (found at the dollar store). Apply directly to stain then let set, wash.

5. Soaking in Oxi-Clean, Era, Tide or Wisk overnight in a tub.

6. Napi-San but be careful with fine fabrics like silk or wool.

Here are a couple of videos with some more methods.
Video 1

Video 2 -- there are many more for many more types of stains there.

Just one more tip from me: To remove stubborn tea or coffee or cocoa stains from mugs or cups, I use Soft Scrub and a paper towel. I have also heard that baking soda or salt will do the same thing.