5 Ways to Remove Coffee Stains
Try as we might, spills happen. Someone bumps your arm and the coffee swirls out of the cup and onto the tablecloth. You accidentally knock over your travel mug while driving and your lap (and purse!) gets soaked in the process. Or, our favorite, your cup (or your lip, as is often the case) develops a mysterious leak and dribbles coffee down the front of your favorite blouse. Whatever the cause, we’re left with a mess to clean up.
While there are almost as many methods of removing stains as there are varieties of coffee, here are a few that we like:
- Club soda. If your stain is a pretty simple one and you’re able to treat it immediately after it happens, you may only need a good dousing with club soda. Pour it on and blot until the stain is no more. This one’s a favorite among busy moms.
- Wet spotter and vinegar. For more serious stains, and if you happen to be wearing silk or wool, give this method (courtesy of howstuffworks.com) a try. You’ll need a wet spotter. A wet what? A wet spotter. It’s a homemade cleaning solution made from mixing 1 part glycerin, 1 part white dishwashing detergent, and 8 parts water. Apply this and a few drops of white vinegar on the stained area using a sponge or adsorbent pad. Flush with water and repeat until the stain lifts.
- Baby wipes. It’s kind of scary that this works, but it really does, especially if your stain is on carpet. Just make sure it’s good and moist and use it to scrub up the stain. You will be amazed — and buying baby wipes long after your babies leave for college. (P.S. – Baby wipes also work well on pet stains.)
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. A coffee ring on your table or countertop is no match for the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It works, well…like magic. They are detergent-free white pads that disappear with stains while you use them. Simply wet a portion of the pad, wipe (with a little muscle) into the stain and it’s gone. Voila! No abracadabra needed.
- Eggs. The yolk of an egg, actually. This method comes from Readers Digest (www.rd.com) and seemed to surprise even them. Simply beat an egg yolk and work it into the stain using a soft kitchen towel. Give it a good water rinse and the stain should be gone for good.
Spilling the beans
Now that we’ve spilled the beans on five ways of ridding your clothing, couch, and counter of coffee, we’re hoping you never need them. After all, coffee looks much better in your cup than it does on your clothes. Instead, we hope you’ll slow down, relax, and remember to take time to smell, not spill, your coffee. We will even have your favorites delivered direct to your door. Find out more on www.grandekaffe.com.
