Tannin family: detergent, then oxygen
How to get coffee out
Black coffee is pure tannin. Cold water and detergent take fresh coffee out easily.
Do this first
Flush cold from the back
Fresh stain
- Flush cold from the back
- Gently work in detergent
- Wash warm and air dry
Dried or old
- Glycerin to loosen, then oxygen-bleach soak
- White cotton: diluted chlorine
- Fabric care
- No bar soap.
- Time
- 10 min
- How to tell
- Look: brown ring with darker edge; Feel: none; Smell: coffee
Where this fix comes from
- American Cleaning Institute, Stain Removal Chart
- Cornell Cooperative Extension, Stain removal guide
- Persil Stain Advisor, Food
We check every fix against these published guides. We do not run a test lab of our own.
Before you start
- Test on a hidden seam first.
- Never mix cleaners.
- Keep it out of the dryer until the stain is gone.