Quick Answer:
Green tea is a very common beverage, and it can be a good alternative to coffee. However, just like any other tea, it can stain your clothes. Even though it’s water-based, there are certain ingredients in green tea, that will happen to stain any fabric. Fortunately, the stain is rather easy to remove.
A relaxing moment when you’re enjoying a cup of your favorite coffee or tea can quickly change into a disaster. If you happen to spill some green tea on your clothes, the first thing you may think about is whether there will be a stain. You may also wonder how to tackle this problem in the most efficient way.
This is why we decided to create this article – Today, we will show you the most efficient way of removing green tea stains from your clothes. For the majority of the wardrobe, the steps are very similar. Each method should work for denim jeans, cotton white shirts, or any casual clothing.
One thing, that you will have to keep in mind, is to start right away – The longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove the stain. Even though the stain isn’t hard to remove, you don’t want to waste more time if you don’t have to.
Without further ado, let’s get into the proper part of the article.
Does green tea stain clothes?
If you would like to know how to remove green tea stains from your clothes, we highly recommend looking at the next paragraph. The most popular methods include home remedies, as this stain isn’t hard to remove. That being said, be sure to tackle the stain as fast as you can.
Waiting longer will make the whole process harder, and less convenient. If the stain is very old, you may even need to reach for professional cleaning agents. This is due to the main staining chemical – “Tannins”, which is present in all types of tea. Fortunately, green tea has a small number of tannins.
How to remove green tea stains?
Removing green tea stains isn’t a complicated process. What’s more, we highly recommend going after home remedies, as it doesn’t require any additional costs. You can simply choose a method, that includes things you already have in your house. Either one of those methods should work fine.
Baking soda
Baking soda is probably the most well-known method of removing stains, using only household items. It also absorbs smells very well, making it a good all-around homemade cleaner. However, in the case of green tea stains, it will work only if you are quick enough, and the stain is still wet.
To most effective way to utilize baking soda is to leave it overnight on the stain. If you let the baking soda absorb the majority of green tea, all you will have to do in the morning is scrape off the excess, and put the garment inside a washing machine.
After this, dry the garment (airdrying is the safest option, as putting it in a dryer can make the stain bigger), and try a different method if this didn’t help. Using baking soda is the least demanding method, and it can work pretty well, although, you may need a stronger cleaning agent.
Vinegar
Vinegar is another common way of removing green tea stains, that doesn’t require buying additional cleaning agents. It works better than baking soda, as it can reach deep into the fabric. We highly recommend creating a solution from water and vinegar which you will later apply onto the stain.
Put the solution inside a bowl or a cup, and dip a cleaning cloth inside. Now, you can gently tap the stain working from the outside (this will prevent the stain from spreading). Do it until the stain disappears, or take a break, leaving vinegar on the garment.
If the stain dissolves, you can put the garment inside a washing machine, or clean it like you normally would. Be sure, to not forget about this step, as leaving vinegar for long periods can damage the fibers. Airdry the garment, and check whether the stain is still there.
Dish soap and laundry detergent
Dish soap is a quick way of dealing with green tea stain, as it can be used the same way as vinegar. Simply create a solution out of water and dish soap, and apply it to the fabric by gently tapping the stain. Keep in mind to work from the outside, and wash out the excess.
Laundry detergent can be used in a different way – Firstly you wet the stain with warm water, then you sprinkle the spot with laundry detergent. After 5 to 10 minutes, you can scrub the stain using a toothbrush, and rinse it with warm water.
Other methods
If neither one of the methods above worked, you may be forced to use bleach. We always recommend doing this, if there’s no other way to remove the stain, as it can damage the fibers of your garment. You have to choose the appropriate bleach for your piece of garment.
A bleach pen is usually a safe option, however, making a solution out of chlorine bleach is also possible. For big stains, it’s best to put the garment inside the solution for 15 minutes and check for the stain. Repeat the process if necessary, and thoroughly wash the clothing after you are done.
You should only need this method if the stain is very old, and you can’t use any other cleaning agent. Some other methods to try out before that are:
- Club soda
- Lemon and salt
- Oxidizing stain removal
This much information should easily suffice you to remove green tea stains. Waiting for too long will force you to go after more destructive cleaning methods including bleach. If you don’t want to risk any damage, you can also give the garment to a specialist.
Frequently asked questions
What color does green tea stain?
Green tea causes the fabric to turn light green which is often used by artists. Many people utilize the properties of green tea when dying clothes, creating paintings, etc. Wiping the excess liquid right away will make the stain less visible.
Are tea stains bad?
There are many types of teas, however, when it comes to green tea it’s easy to remove. Waiting for too long will make the process harder, however, the real trouble begins if it’s an old stain. This may force you to use bleach and similar cleaning agents.
How do you get green tea stains off the wall?
Mixing baking soda with water usually does the trick – Simply create a solution, dip a cleaning cloth inside the solution, and start wiping the stained area. Remember to dry the spot with a clean towel. The whole process shouldn’t take longer than 30 to 40 minutes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, green tea can stain your clothes, however, it’s relatively easy to remove. That being said, the quicker you tackle the problem, the less work you will have to put in. If the stain is old, you may be forced to use bleach and similar cleaning agents. Otherwise, simple home remedies should suffice.
We hope, that after reading this article, you won’t have more problems with green tea stains.
Laura Avila, a female writer and cleaning enthusiast, shares her expertise on Cleaningfan.com. With years of experience, Laura provides practical tips to maintain a clean and organized home. Her articles inspire readers to create a comfortable living space.