How to Remove Beer Stains From Clothing

Wash away beer stains and odors with cold water and household items

By
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre is a housekeeping expert with over 20 years of experience cleaning residentially and commercially. Over that time, she has been writing about tips and tricks for housekeeping and organizing a home for national publications.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 09/30/23
Reviewed by
Brandon Pleshek
Brandon Pleshek headshot.
Reviewed by Brandon Pleshek
Brandon Pleshek of Clean That Up! is a seasoned veteran of the cleaning industry with over 20 years of experience in commercial and residential cleaning. He is a member of The Spruce's Cleaning and Organizing Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
How to Remove Beer Stains From Clothing

The Spruce / Ellen Lindner

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins - 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10

Light-colored beer stains come out easier than dark beers, which tend to have tannins from barley and hops. However, the worst part of a beer stain isn't the mark left on your clothing; it's the sour, fermented smell. Old, dried beer emits a foul, rotting odor. Quickly treat beer-soaked clothing to get out a smelly, set stain. If you don't get to it in time, fret not; dried beer stains can be removed, too.

Always use cold water (never hot) during the stain removal process. Cold water works best to eliminate smelly stains; hot water may set the odor and yeasty sugars in the fibers, making it much harder to remove.

Here's how to remove new and old beer stains from clothing with household items in a few simple steps.

The 8 Best Laundry Odor Removers of 2024
Stain Type Alcohol-based, tannin-based (dark beer)
Detergent Type  Laundry detergent, dish soap
Water Temperature  Cold
Cycle Type  Normal

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Clean sponge

Materials

  • Liquid laundry detergent or dish soap
  • Vinegar
  • Baking soda

Instructions

Materials needed to remove beer stains from clothing

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

How to Remove Fresh Beer Stains

  1. Rinse With Cold Water

    Rinse the beer stain thoroughly from the back of the clothing with cold water. Flushing from the back of the stain pushes the beer out the way it came so that fewer fibers are affected.

    rinsing the back of the stain with cold water

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  2. Soak in Cold, Soapy Water

    Mix a squirt of liquid laundry detergent with cold water and pour onto the beer stain. Allow the detergent to stand on the beer stain for at least five minutes.

    If you don't have laundry detergent, use dish soap instead.

    Rinse the stained area thoroughly with cold water.

    using detergent on a beer stain in lieu of detergent

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  3. Sponge With Vinegar and Rinse

    • Sponge the stained area with a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water.
    • Once the stain is thoroughly wet, rinse out the vinegar solution with warm water immediately and thoroughly.

    Tip

    Before using vinegar on your clothing, ensure the fabric is colorfast by testing the solution on a hidden seam so it doesn't lighten or bleach the garment.

    Mixing a white vinegar and water solution

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

  4. Wash as Recommended

    • Wash according to the garment's care label directions. 
    • Allow the clothing to air dry to make sure the stain is gone. If traces of color or odor remain, repeat the above steps.
    • Once the stain is removed, your clothing can be washed and dried on the appropriate dryer cycle.
    Choosing a wash cycle for a beer stained garment

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

How to Remove Dried Beer Stains

  1. Soap the Stained Area

    • Wet the stained area with cold water.
    • Use a few drops of liquid laundry detergent or dish soap, rub it onto the stained area, and allow it to sit for five minutes.
    • Rinse thoroughly.
    Adding detergent to the beer stain

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  2. Sprinkle With Baking Soda

    • Sprinkle baking soda onto the stained area to absorb odors and leftover stains.
    • After 15 minutes, rinse away the baking soda.
    • Repeat with laundry detergent or dish soap and rinse with cold water until the stain is gone.
    Sprinkling baking soda on the stained area

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  3. Sponge With Vinegar and Rinse

    • Sponge the stained area with a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water.
    • Thoroughly wet the stain, then rinse out the vinegar solution immediately and thoroughly with warm water.
    Sponging vinegar onto the stained area

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  4. Wash as Recommended

    • Wash according to the garment's care label directions. 
    • Allow the clothing to air dry to make sure the stain is gone. 
    • If traces of color or odor remain, repeat the above steps.
    • Once the stain is removed, your clothing can be washed and dried on the appropriate dryer cycle.
    Washing the garment after stain removal

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Additional Tips for Handling Beer Stains

Delicate fabrics like satin or lace can be tricky, but careful persistence should eliminate a beer stain. Follow the steps above, handle the material gently, and hand-wash or launder as directed.

Beer stains come out easiest on cotton and lightweight, washable fabrics—especially if the spill is fresh. But, if the stain is set on thicker fabric like denim, sweater material, fleece, or flannel, repeat the stain removal steps multiple times to eliminate the beer odor and stain.

FAQ
  • Are beer stains permanent?

    Beer stains come out easiest when treated right away. But even dried stains can be removed. It's best to use cold water when treating beer stains.

  • What are the best type of detergents for beer stains?

    Use an enzyme-based cleaner to remove beer stains. Enzymes break down organic compounds and remove odors.

  • How do you know when a beer stain is removed?

    Check for staining or discoloration and smell the fabric to see if the sour beer odor remains in the fibers.

How to Get Beer and Wine Stains Out of Carpet