Coffee, tea and red wine stains all contain tannins, natural plant compounds that dye fabric. The faster you act, the easier they are to remove.
First, for Any Spill
- Blot immediately with a clean cloth or paper towel. Don't rub.
- Rinse from the back of the fabric with cold water to push the stain out.
Coffee and Tea Stains
- Rinse with cold water.
- Work in a drop of liquid laundry detergent or dish soap and let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
- Rinse again.
- For stubborn stains, soak in a mix of cool water and a little white vinegar for 30 minutes.
- Wash as usual and air dry to check.
Coffee with milk or cream? Treat it in cool water first. Milk proteins set with heat, just like blood.
Red Wine Stains
- Blot right away.
- Cover with salt or baking soda to draw the wine out of the fibres. Leave for a few minutes, then brush it off.
- Rinse with cold water from the back.
- Apply dish soap mixed with a little 3% hydrogen peroxide (white or colourfast fabrics only; test first). Let it sit 15–30 minutes.
- Rinse and wash. Air dry until the stain is completely gone.
Old, Set-In Stains
- Soak overnight in cool water with an oxygen-based stain remover (follow the product directions).
- Wash again and check before drying.
- Repeat if needed. Old tannin stains often take two or three rounds.
Tablecloths and Napkins
After a dinner party, treat stained linens the same night, then wash as soon as you can. Restaurants and caterers dealing with table linens every day can look at our commercial laundry for restaurants.
Clean Laundry Without the Effort
Treat the stains, then hand off the rest: wash & fold drop-off is $1.65/lb (20 lb minimum) in North York, daily 9am–6pm.
