What do coffee, wine, paint, and human blood have in common? They’re the most common substances that get spilled on carpets.
And they stain.
Carpet stains are an eyesore (and sometimes smell funky). But it’s not at all hard to remove coffee stains as long as you know how.
Read on to learn how to fight those pesky stains and win.
How To Remove Coffee Stains From Your Carpet
Spilled coffee stains can be pretty stubborn to clean and they’re among the more common types of carpet stain.
To get started, you’ll need to take stock of the supplies in your cleaning closet. The list of required materials is thankfully small, and you won’t necessarily need all of them:
- White vinegar
- Dish soap
- Paper towels
- White cloth
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Store-bought carpet cleaner
Removing Fresh Coffee Stains
Removing fresh carpet stains before they set in and dry is one of the “do’s” of carpet care.
So, to get the best results, jump on that freshly spilled coffee and follow the steps below to get rid of it – and remember them for next time if you’re dealing with an old stain!
Step #1: Soak the Spilled Coffee
Soak up any excess fluid with a damp cloth or fresh paper towels. Avoid rubbing the stain as you’ll only push the coffee into the carpet fibers, making it harder to get out again.
Step #2: Apply a Removal Agent
Store-bought carpet cleaners will do the trick – but a homemade mixture of white vinegar and dish soap works just as well.
To make carpet cleaner, combine a tablespoon of dish soap with a tablespoon of white vinegar, then add two cups of warm water and mix. Hydrogen peroxide works too, but we prefer white vinegar as most households have it on hand.
Dab the coffee stain with the homemade carpet cleaner (or store-bought alternative) and allow it to work its magic for five to ten minutes. If you’re opting for a store-bought agent, test it out on a small spot on the underside of your carpet first. That way, you’ll know if it will bleach your carpet.
Step #3: Dab and Dry Your Carpet
After you’ve let the mixture sit for a few minutes, dab at it until it’s soaked up. Then let the carpet air dry. If the stains persist, try going through steps #1 and #2 again, and sprinkle some baking soda on the stain while it dries.
Once dry, vacuum the baking soda, and the stain should be gone completely.
Dealing With Old Stains
If you’ve got a stained carpet with some old coffee stains, you’ll need to put in a little extra effort to get them out again.
To do so, start with a cloth and wet it with some warm water. Dab the stain for a few minutes to loosen the coffee. If you’re lucky, you’ll notice the stain starting to come out before you apply a cleaning agent.
Once you’ve thoroughly dabbed at the stain, apply the same cleaning agent as above (store-bought or a mixture of white vinegar and dish soap) and let it sit for up to a quarter of an hour.
Keep Your Carpets Fresh
Once you know how it’s easy to remove coffee stains and keep your carpets fresh. So get cleaning and kick those stubborn stains for good!
If you need your carpets cleaned professionally, we specialize in carpet cleaning services. Contact us today for a free quote.
