Guide · Stain removal ·
How to Remove Cola Stains
Cola and fizzy drinks contain both colour and sugar: the colour leaves a brown mark on fabric, and the sugar forms a sticky layer when it dries that holds on to dirt. So with a cola stain, the aim is to remove both the colour and the sugar; blot the spilled drink straight away, rinse with cold water and do not apply heat until the stain is gone. This guide explains how to remove cola stains from clothes, carpets, sofas, car seats and walls.
First steps
- Blot: blot the spilled cola by pressing with a dry cloth or paper towel; do not rub.
- Rinse with cold water: rinse the stain with cold water from the back of the fabric; sugar dissolves in water and is flushed out of the fabric.
- Avoid heat: do not use a hot wash, tumble dryer or iron until the stain is gone; heat can set the colour in the fabric.
How to remove cola stains from clothes?
- Rinse the stain from the back with cold water.
- Apply a stain remover such as İLK BOR Leke Sihirbazı or TETİK Kar Aspirin, whose label includes use on clothing, and leave it for the time on the label; test the product on a hidden spot first.
- Wash the laundry on the programme on the fabric label with detergent for coloureds or detergent for whites.
- Check the stain before drying; if a mark remains, repeat the pre-treatment.
- For beer and sugary drink stains: how to remove beer stains.
- For seat covers: how to wash car seat covers.
Cola stains on a white T-shirt
On white cottons, pre-treat first with a stain remover and wash with laundry detergent for whites. For any remaining brown or yellowish mark, bleach may be used only on white cotton and linen, if the fabric care label allows bleaching, and at the amount on the product label (how to use bleach); do not use it on whites blended with polyester or elastane. For washing the T-shirt, see how to wash a t-shirt.
How to remove dried and yellowed cola stains?
A dried cola stain remains on fabric as a yellowish or brown ring and may feel sticky to the touch. Dampen the stain with cold water and let the sugar dissolve, apply stain remover, leave it for the time on the label and wash the garment again; repeat if necessary. On old stains that have already been washed and dried, a faint mark may remain; do not put the garment in the tumble dryer or iron it until the stain is gone.
How to remove cola from carpet?
- Blot the spilled cola by pressing with a dry cloth; do not spread it over the carpet.
- Lift the stain by pressing with a clean cloth dampened with cold water; if sugar residue stays in the carpet, it holds on to dirt and the stain darkens.
- For any remaining coloured mark, apply a small amount of a carpet-safe stain remover such as TETİK Binbir Stain Remover and blot it off with a clean cloth.
- Finally, rinse by pressing with a cloth dampened with clean water and dry the carpet thoroughly (how to use carpet shampoo).
Cola stains on sofas
Blot cola spilled on a fabric sofa straight away and lift the stain by pressing with a cloth dampened with cold water. For any remaining mark, apply TETİK Kar Aspirin, whose label lists sofa and upholstery use, to a clean cloth and press it onto the stain; do not overwet the upholstery and let the sofa dry completely. For leather and velvet upholstery, follow the manufacturer's advice (how to clean a sofa).
Cola stains on car seats
Blot cola spilled on a car seat or floor mat straight away and lift it by pressing with a cloth dampened with cold water. For any remaining mark, TETİK Kar Aspirin, whose label lists car interior use, can be used; test the product on a hidden spot first and wait until the seat is completely dry. Wipe drink splashes on plastic surfaces with a damp microfibre cloth (how to clean car seats).
Cola stains on walls
On walls with washable paint, lift the cola stain with a damp cloth without rubbing; wipe the sticky residue with a well-wrung cloth and surface cleaner diluted at the dose on the label, testing on a hidden spot first (how to clean walls). For the stickiness of cola spilled on the floor, mop the floor with diluted surface cleaner (what to mop floors with).
Other drink stains
Fruit juice, tea and coffee stains also contain colour and are removed with similar steps. For details, see how to remove fruit stains and how to remove tea stains.
What not to do with cola stains
- Rubbing the stain: the cola spreads into the fabric.
- Using hot water, the tumble dryer or the iron before the stain is out.
- Leaving sugar residue in the carpet without rinsing.
- Using bleach on coloured and synthetic fabrics.
- Mixing stain remover with bleach or other cleaning products (can cleaning products be mixed).
For cafés, cinemas and fast food outlets
In cafés, cinemas and fast food outlets, cola and fizzy drink stains are common on seats, carpets, tablecloths and staff clothing; blotting the spilled drink straight away and treating it with cold water helps prevent stickiness and a lasting stain. TETİK Liquid Stain Remover and START Stain Remover are produced in 30 kg packs, TETİK Kar Aspirin in 750 g, 5 kg and 30 kg, and TETİK Carpet Shampoo in 1, 5, 20 and 30 kg. For a product list, see restaurant cleaning supplies; for bulk purchases, you can request a quote.
