Matcha has recently become a popular form of green tea.
It is finely ground green tea leaves, and its lovely flavor and visual beauty have only increased its popularity.
However, accidents happen, whether at home with the kids or in the office with your co-workers.
Do you need to worry if you accidentally spill your fresh cup of matcha tea on your clothes?
Yes, matcha will stain clothes just like any other type of tea. Tea is a water-based stain, and it often leaves a light brown mark behind on surfaces, including your clothes. Matcha stains generally are not permanent, though, especially if you act quickly to remove the stain. If you flush the area with cool water immediately, you may be able to prevent the stain entirely. Matcha can stain clothing because it contains tannins. Tannins are natural compounds found in tea, and they cause a light brown stain. Luckily, matcha stains do not have to become permanent. Rinse the area as soon as possible with cool water, and then soak the affected area in a vinegar and dish soap solution. The matcha stain should come off your clothes, leaving you free to enjoy your matcha cup without worrying about your clothes. We go into more detail below with step-by-step instructions on how to remove matcha stains from clothes.
Why does matcha stain clothes?
Matcha stains come from the tannins that are naturally found in green tea.
Tannins are naturally occurring compounds that give tea its flavor and antioxidants.
Tannins can leave a light brown stain behind when it comes into contact with clothing unless you treat the area quickly and effectively.
Luckily, tea is a water-soluble stain, so that matcha stains can be removed with plenty of water.
How To remove matcha stains from clothes?
You’ll need a few common household items to get matcha stains out of your clothes.
- Distilled white vinegar
- Dish soap
- Laundry detergent
- Cool water
Now that you have assembled all your materials, read on to learn how to remove matcha stains from clothing.
1. Rinse the affected area thoroughly
Especially if the tea stain is fresh, you should first rinse the affected area in cool water.
Flushing the site will not altogether remove the tea stain, but it can significantly reduce the severity of the stain.
Tea is water-soluble, so rinsing the stain thoroughly can help remove the tea from your clothing and make removing the stain easier, even if you are out and about when the accident happens.
Pro tip: Rinse the garment from the inside. The tea most likely spilled on the outside of your garment, so rinsing from the inside will help move the tea away from the garment instead of driving it deeper into the fabric. Also, do not rub the garment against itself as you are rinsing. While this may seem helpful for removing the stain, it can set the matcha stain deeper into the fabric, making it more difficult to remove.
2. Mix vinegar and dish soap
In a small bowl, mix three tablespoons of distilled white vinegar with one teaspoon of liquid dish soap.
Vinegar is excellent for removing stains of all kinds because it is acidic.
It will react with the tea and lift it from the affected area.
3. Allow the stain to soak for 15-30 minutes
Place the affected garment into the vinegar and soap mixture.
Allow the garment to soak in the mix for 15-30 minutes.
Doing this will allow time for the vinegar and dish soap to work on the tea stain.
You will need to make sure the affected area is fully submerged, so use a wide enough bowl to fit the entire stain.
4. Wash the garment and allow it to air dry
Finally, wash your clothes in cool water with laundry detergent.
You can do this by hand or with the washing machine.
Either way, do not put the garment in the dryer.
Allow it to air dry, and then examine it for any remnants of the matcha stain.
The dryer is hot enough to set the stain if it has not been completely removed, so make sure the stain is completely gone before using the dryer for it again.
Pro tip: If possible, allow your garment to dry in the sun. The sun is also suitable for fighting stains and unwanted microbes on clothes.
Here is a video demonstrating how to remove tea stains, like matcha tea, from clothes.
0:55—Mix a teaspoon of dish soap with three tablespoons of vinegar.
1:26—Dip the stained area of the garment into the soap and vinegar mixture. Allow it to sit for about 30 minutes.
1:45—Wash the area with cool water and laundry detergent. Allow the garment to air dry.
Are Tea Stains Permanent?
Tea stains can be removed and prevented from becoming permanent as long as you act quickly and follow the steps above or below.
Does Tea Stain Dark Clothes?
Even though a tea stain is a light color, it can still stain your dark clothing.
The key to any tea stain, is to act quickly and follow the steps above or below for removing them.
Does Matcha Stain Your Teeth?
Because of the tannins that are in Matcha, over time if you drink Matcha regularly, it can stain your teeth.
However, Matcha is also rich in catechins, which are antioxidants.
Research has shown that this antioxidant is beneficial to oral health by reducing inflammation and destroying bacteria.
Can I use bleach to remove matcha stains from my clothes?
Yes, you can use bleach to remove match stains from clothing.
It is helpful against old or large tea stains.
Ensure always to check your garment’s care instructions and use the appropriate kind of bleach for the garment.
For example, if you remove matcha stains from a colored garment, we recommend using color-safe bleach.
If you choose to use bleach on your matcha stain, start by rinsing the area with cool water to remove as much of the tea as possible.
If you are dealing with a large matcha stain, mix five cups of cool water with a half cup of bleach.
Place the affected area into your bleach mixture, submerging the stain completely.
Allow the stain to soak for about 15 minutes.
Then, check the stain. If it is not gone, allow the garment to soak for an additional 15 minutes.
Check the garment before placing it in the dryer to ensure the stain is completely gone.
Once the stain is completely gone, you can wash it in cool water.
If you are dealing with a small matcha stain, you can pretreat the affected area with a bleach pen.
Then, wash per the package instructions and carefully check the garment before drying.
How Do You Get Tea Stains Out Of Wool Clothes?
To remove a tea stain from any type of wool fabric, grab a lint-free cloth and soak it in a solution of tepid water and a Woolmark-approved detergent.
Dab gently around the edge of the stain repeatedly until the stain has been completely removed.
