How do I get coffee out of an apron or uniform?
Sources last checked
Coffee splashed down your apron at the bar in the morning rush.
The short answer
Coffee is a plant stain. Cool water first. Ammonia sets it. (American Cleaning Institute; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)
Do this now
- Rinse the spot with cool water right away. (American Cleaning Institute; University of Georgia Extension)
- Blot it. Never rub it. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)
What to use
- Work in a prewash stain remover first if it has milk. (Cornell Cooperative Extension; Pacific Northwest Extension)
- Wash it with oxygen bleach, or chlorine bleach if the tag allows. (University of Georgia Extension; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)
Before the dryer
- Look at the spot before the dryer. Heat sets it. (American Cleaning Institute; New Mexico State University Extension)
Never do this
- Never put ammonia on coffee. It sets the stain. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)
When to give up
- Keep it out of the dryer if the stain stays. Some stains do not come out. (American Cleaning Institute; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)
Check the care tag first. Test any stain remover on a hidden spot. A stain that sets in the dryer is much harder to move, so look before you dry.
The words of the sources
Each step above, quoted from the page it comes from.
“Sponge or soak stain in cool water.”
“Some stains (for example coffee, tea, and fruits) are set by alkalies such as ammonia”
“Sponge or rinse stain promptly in cool water.”
“Do not rub as this may roughen the fabric, damage the fibers”
“Work from the inside of the garment or back of the stain”
“always treat the greasy or oily component first”
“Saturate area with pretreatment laundry stain remover (aerosol types work better on greasy stains).”
“Launder using chlorine bleach, if safe for fabric. Otherwise, use oxygen or sodium perborate bleach.”
“Oxygen bleaches are usually safe for all fabrics and colors.”
“Do not put it in the dryer until the stain is removed.”
“Heat sets stains. Do not press a stained fabric or dry it in the dryer.”
“not all stains can be removed”
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change and your local health department has the final say. Check with them before you open or change how you work. CleanCleaver is a food safety app, not a laundry authority: follow your garment's care tag.