Coffee stain on white! Argh!

April 27, 2008 7:16 PM

I have this white/cream dress made out of a viscose lace. I just discovered a faint stain of what I think is coffee or tea or something.

I tried to take a pic of it to post as a reference but it didn't come up. Any tips on how I can possibly get rid of it?

posted by mooza to clothing, beauty, & fashion (7 comments total)

Can it be dry-cleaned? Check the tag to make sure. If it can, then I wouldn't even try to deal with it at home - take it to a dry cleaner and explain what the spot is. Also if you can narrow down the stain substance a little better than "coffee or tea or something," that will increase the cleaner's chances of getting it out easily.
posted by boomchicka at 7:42 PM on April 27, 2008

(odd my post vanished)

Sounds as though you know: just do NOT use use bleach which would yellow the fabric. I'd try an enzymatic cleaner (but have had little luck with tea/coffee stains on whites)
posted by anadem at 7:56 PM on April 27, 2008

My daughter wore a beautiful white lacy dress to my brother's wedding reception, and over the course of the night managed to get blood, urine and half a glass of red wine on it (yes, it was an awesome party). I soaked it overnight in a bucket of cold water and Oxyclean, then ran it through a normal wash, and it was as good as new.
posted by bizwank at 9:52 PM on April 27, 2008

I've had great, even amazing, results by simply pouring boiling water over the stain. I take a mixing bowl, stretch the fabric over it with the stain centered over the middle of the bowl, and pour an entire tea kettle of boiling water over it slowly. Then I let it sit until it's cool enough to handle, pull it out of the water, and voila! Usually the stain is completely gone, but sometimes I've had to repeat the process. I've never had it fail, and I've used it for red wine, blueberry, dirt, grass, blood, coffee, and other stains.
posted by Capri at 12:35 AM on April 28, 2008 [1 favorite]

Capri, have you tried that on old stains?
posted by mooza at 4:27 AM on April 28, 2008

What is the lace made out of? synthetic or natural fibers? You could set the stain by using hot water on it, especially on natural fibers. Id test an enzyme cleaner for any untoward effects on a hidden spot, and then try that on the stain. Repeated applications may be necessary.
posted by oneirodynia at 2:11 PM on April 28, 2008

the lace is made of viscose
posted by mooza at 11:39 PM on April 28, 2008