We’ve all had to sacrifice one of our favorite shirts, or trousers, and even brand new dress shirts, to coffee and tea stains. Regardless of how careful you try to be, you end up ruining your clothes forever. No matter how many different detergent brands and products you try, these stains are just impossible to remove. If you’ve been in this situation, we are here to solve your problem. Here are some tips and tricks that can easily help you remove these stains from your clothes, and make them good as new.
- Rinsing out
It is a good idea to rinse out the stain with cold water immediately after the spill. Pour cold water from the side opposite side of the fabric, from where tea made contact. This will prevent the tea from spreading too far, and getting absorbed into the fabric. This reduces the chances of the stain being permanent.
- Liquid detergent
Liquid detergent is a better way to clean up stains such as coffee and tea because they are absorbable into the fabric, and thus allow for better results. The ideal method for this is to let the detergent stay on the stain for approximately 5 minutes, or to rub the stain with the detergent before leaving it to soak in cold water for about half an hour. The next step is to simply rinse the shirt.
- Baking soda
Baking soda is known for its stain removing and cleaning properties. For tea and coffee stains, covering the wet stain with a thick layer of baking soda can help. The baking soda will absorb the liquid, along with the stain. Leaving the powder overnight should do the trick, after which you can simply wash the clothing with your regular laundry for a brand new, stainless look.
- Club Soda
Although an unusual remedy, club soda can help clean up stains from clothing. Pour and blot club soda on the stain, repeatedly, with a cleaning cloth. Continue this until the stain is completely lifted. This is particularly useful for tablecloths, not just shirts. Beer can also help in lifting such stains, although it is not recommended for delicate fabrics.
- Vinegar
Vinegar can help lift various water soluble stains, and similar to baking soda, is known for its kitchen and cleaning properties. Moisten a towel or a cleaning cloth with white vinegar, and dab the stain spot with it. Then, wash the stained clothes with regular laundry, to remove the stain completely. For larger stains, it is a good idea to use a water vinegar solution, with 1 part cold water for 3 parts of vinegar, and soaking it overnight, before washing the cloth.
- Remainder
To get the remainder of a tea or coffee stain out, rub liquid detergent on the spot and soak it in warm water. A stain remover can also be used to clean up traces of the stain, although it might not be able to remove the entire stain.
We hope this guide helps you save your favourite white shirt, or any other clothing, from permanent damage of tea and coffee stains.