How can I clean a brown coffee stain off a car seat?

Josie
by Josie

Hello everyone. A few weeks ago my coffee spilled on a car seat. There is a big stain on it and I don't have any idea how to get rid of this. Car seat is in a light color, something as "dirty" white/grey.


  10 answers
  • Pamela Pamela on Jan 22, 2020

    Hi ! Try Folex carpet cleaner ! It is a spot cleaner , that can also be used in a carpet cleaning machine . This stuff works great on all stains . It took coffee stains out of my cream colored carpet . I even keep some in a spray in my laundry room .

    Good luck !!!!

  • Scarlet Paolicchi Scarlet Paolicchi on Jan 22, 2020

    Some car washes have an upholstery station that you can pay to use that helps get it clean with a by wetting and and sucking up the fluids. If the Folex doesn't work, you could try that. Also try scrubing the Folex and stain out with a microfiber cloth.

  • Constantremodeler Constantremodeler on Jan 22, 2020

    Prior to selling off any of our past automobiles I detail them out. By mere luck I tried a method with Simple Green (full strength) a bucket of clean hot tap water and a microfiber cloth and it worked well. Make sure that the seats are vacuumed thoroughly spray the spot (don't over spray with the Simple Green) mist the seat to be cleaned or the spot, let it sit for five minutes or so and then take the wet micro fiber towel and scrub and apply pressure to the towel on the spot, rinse the towel in fresh water and repeat minus the Simple Green. General cleaning of the auto upholstery just requires a light misting and light wiping/scrubbing of it. The key is to rinse the rag often. For example I would mist the back of the drivers seat give it five minutes and then lightly scrub and rinse the towel in clean water and then wipe it down once more with the clean water. Don't get lazy and not change your water often, Works like a charm! We have two small children so you know how dirty those back seats can get with snacks, milk, applesauce etc. Let it dry and repeat the cleaning process on any stubborn stains.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Jan 22, 2020

    Try using Spot Shot. If that doesn't work try using Awesome Orange or OxyClean. Test on a small area first.

  • K. Rupp K. Rupp on Jan 22, 2020

    As for cleaning your car upholstery, you might want to look into using a small handheld Bissell cleaner for spot cleaning the upholstery and rugs. Put a carpet cleaner formula in the machine and spray with the nozzle. Lightly scrub(careful not to mark the fabric) and suck up all the liquid. It does wonders to remove stains. Sometimes after it dries if you see water stains in your fabric, you will want to do it again over the entire seat so the whole thing gets damp. I always have great luck using this method. Also, between using the Bissell, you can always spray with shout or spray n wash and add salt. Let this sit a while till it dries. Then repeat with the Bissell. I have gotten so many stains out using this method. Good luck!


  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jan 22, 2020

    Spot Shot carpet cleaner is my first "go to". However, with a coffee spill like that you need a vacuum that is going to suck it out from inside the seat in the cushions. Normal cleaning is only going to surface clean and then it will seep back up. My daughter spilled a drink in my seats and I had to get them done by a detailer because my shop vac wasn't strong enough.

  • Dee Dee on Jan 22, 2020

    Folex which you can purchase at Lowes is a great fabric cleaner. If it is a leather seat, go to Academy and get their leather cleaner.

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Jan 23, 2020

    If all else fails go to a prof detail shop. They should be able to get it out, plus your car will come back looking new again.

  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Jan 24, 2020

    Josie...Try Blue Magic from AutoZone. Works really well on car upholstery. Good luck

  • Dmholt4391 Dmholt4391 on Dec 31, 2021

    Bleach water will get rid of it but you'd have to do the whole seat and it'd partner so they'd be the same shade. / About 'Simple Green'; before buying it, get a whiff of it. I say this because it makes me physically ill. No need to spend the $ on it if you can't use it.