Coffee Stain set into a dress shirt??

Jim Ginas
by Jim Ginas
Anyone know if it is feasible to get a coffee stain that is set into a dress shirt? hate to throw it out, worn 2X and $65 shirt! Cleaners said they would, but didn't.
  21 answers
  • Mary Insana Mary Insana on May 13, 2013
    Try a spray product called Awesome. I find it at the Dollar store and I think its also sold at Walmart, Lowes or Home Depot. I use it for my husband ring around the collar. You should spray it and let it sit a while then wash it. You could rinse the shirt out my hand just in that area and if its still not gone do it again. You can also try fresh lemon juice on the stain and sit it in the sun then wash. You have nothing to lose at this point. Good Luck.
  • Jim Ginas Jim Ginas on May 14, 2013
    Mary: that's exactly right, nothing to lose at this point! Thank you.
  • Jeannine Maranchuk Jeannine Maranchuk on May 14, 2013
    Hopefully it hasn't gone through the dryer. You may want to try WD-40. Spray the spot, wash & hang to dry. Repeat until the stain is gone. Works with motor oil (saved my stepdaughters jeans & pj bottoms). The trick is to not let it go through the dryer, but sometimes it works. Hope this helps.
  • Jim Ginas Jim Ginas on May 15, 2013
    Hello Jeannine. Nope, no dryer, BUT two times thru the dry cleaner and they said they could get it out and didn't. Appreciate the tip.
  • Jim Ginas Jim Ginas on May 15, 2013
    DTA - Thanks... seems after trying a couple tips, that if it doesn't come out, oh well.... becomes a winter and UNDER the sweater dress shirt then!
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on May 16, 2013
    Hi Jim! Well unfortunately it's been dry cleaned twice. You're chances of getting it out are 1. Slim and 2. None. But wait, there's hope~You can make enough coffee to put into an cheap plastic tub, like the Dollar store sells. Then throw your shirt in, mash it down until it's thoroughly covered and saturated. It must stay under the coffee bath. You'll need to lift it out and put it back in, to make sure it's evenly covered. When it gets to the "Stain" color, remove, rinse and dry. Now you have a nice NEW shirt! Just not a white one. ;)
  • Mary Insana Mary Insana on May 16, 2013
    Jim, Please let us know if any of the tips get the stain out or if you end up with a nice "new" by doing the coffee stain dying method.
  • Jim Ginas Jim Ginas on May 16, 2013
    Sia: Thanks for the note. Mary I: Will do I'll try next week with the methods......... I'll explain next week.
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on May 17, 2013
    You're welcome, let us know how it turns out for you and the best of luck! xo
  • Cheryl Arledge Cheryl Arledge on May 19, 2013
    I have found that rubbing stains with a bar of Fels Naptha brown soap with get most stains out. It works better than all those expensive "stain removal" sprays. You might also try pouring hydrogen peroxide on the stain. It will NOT bleach out colors but get stains such as blood out. Not sure about coffee, but it may be worth a try.
  • Jim Ginas Jim Ginas on May 20, 2013
    Cheryl: Where can I buy Fels Naptha brown soap? I've search LOWES and Walmart, though didn't see any mention of this soap.
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on May 20, 2013
    @Jim G Try Trader Joe's. OR if you know someone that makes soap, have them give you a small slice of regular unscented, PLAIN. xo
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on May 20, 2013
    @Jim G The real problem is that is has been 'set in' by the dry cleaning you had done twice. ;)
  • Mary Insana Mary Insana on May 20, 2013
    @Jim G You can usually find Fels Naptha Soap in the laundry detergent aisle at WalMart and most grocery stores.
  • Jim Ginas Jim Ginas on May 20, 2013
    Sia.... Trader Joes.. ok, we actually have one about 45 minutes away. next time I'm in the area, I'll have to stop in. (My aunt swears by them for whatever and I've heard about this Fels Naptha soap a couple times now in the last year of posts.) Thanks much!
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on May 20, 2013
    Your welcome! Just don't use it on your skin, it's like detergent. I only use handmade soap (that I've made) for cleansing the body. That way I know exactly what's in it. ;)
  • Cheryl Arledge Cheryl Arledge on May 21, 2013
    I buy Fels Naptha brown soap in the laundry supply section of our grocery store
  • Jim Ginas Jim Ginas on May 21, 2013
    ok, I'll get the Fels Naptha for sure. my sister heard of it, but didn't realize they made it anymore, and turns out the Trader Joes is opening near here soon, so between searching in Walmart and Trader Joes, I should be ok. Thanks all!
  • Mary Insana Mary Insana on May 21, 2013
    Jim, you should have just mailed me the shirt and I could have had it back to you by now! lol Either the stain would have been gone, the shirt would be off white now or there would be a BIG hole where the stain was lol.
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on May 22, 2013
    @Mary I LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!