How to remove coffee stains from your carpet

No matter how careful you are, every coffee lover has had to deal with the heart-wrenching moment of dropping and spilling their piping hot drink. Unfortunately, if this event occurs on your carpet, you’re left with an icky brown stain as a constant reminder of your caffeine clumsiness.

How to Clean Coffee Out of Carpet

The best way to treat a coffee stain on your carpet is by blotting it up with a clean cloth while the spill is still wet. Once the area is dry, you can vacuum or scrub any remaining residue.

If you’re like most people, your life is a little hectic, and it’s sometimes hard to find the time to clean up big messes when they happen. So if that old coffee stain from last week is still bothering you, follow these five steps for guaranteed results.

How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet

1. To remove a coffee stain from your carpet, start wetting the area with warm water to loosen the dried coffee. Then, use a dry white cloth to blot the stain, starting at the edges and moving inward so that you don’t spread the color to surrounding fibers. Keep wetting and blotting until no more coffee transfers from your carpet onto your cloth.
2. You can make your carpet cleaner with ingredients around the house, and it’ll work just as well as an expensive commercial product. For example, an effective homemade coffee stain remover is made of one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of warm water. Combine these in a bowl and stir the solution with a spoon.
3. Use a clean cloth to apply the cleaner. Work from the edges of the stain towards the center, dipping the material back into the bowl as necessary. Use a dry towel to blot any remaining moisture and remove the color from carpet fibers.
4. If your coffee has cream or sugar, mix one capful of enzyme laundry detergent and one cup of warm water in a new dish. Stir the solution until it is blended well. Using a clean cloth, dab this cleaning solution onto the old coffee stain to help break down the stickiness of the cream and sugar.
5. Thoroughly rinse the carpet with cool water. Gently blot up any remaining liquid with a towel, and let the rug air-dry until it is completely dry. We are taking care to avoid walking in the still-damp area.

Get Help Removing Stains

If these do-it-yourself methods to remove coffee stains from your carpet don’t work, you might need to hire a professional. While Molly Maid doesn’t clean carpets other than vacuuming, our insured, licensed, and uniformed housekeepers have experience getting all kinds of stains out.

Are coffee stains permanent?

Although it may seem daunting at first—dark, muddy coffee splattered all over your beautiful new rug—all hope is not lost. You can easily remove the coffee stain with these few quick and easy steps.

• Blot the stain.

The best way to remove a coffee stain is to act fast. First, use a white cloth or paper towel to blot the spill, moving from the outside toward the middle of the stain. This will prevent it from spreading further. Be careful not to rub the carpet, as this could damage fibers and make it harder for you to clean up later. Once you’ve gotten most of the liquid, use cold water, pour over any remaining residue, and blot until diluted.

• Apply a cleaning solution.

You can always make your own if you don’t want to buy a carpet stain remover. Mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of warm water. Once mixed, use a clean cloth to apply it onto the area affected, moving from the outside towards the center. Let it sit for a while before blotting it with a dry towel until the stain has faded or is no longer visible.

• Rinse with cold water.

Rinse the area with cold water, blotting up as much liquid as possible to lift the stain. Do not rub the carpet; let it air dry on its own.

How do you remove old coffee stains?

If you notice a coffee stain immediately, it’s best to treat it immediately. However, if you have some older colors that you let sit, don’t worry! To get these out: wet the stain with warm water first to loosen the dried coffee. Then follow the same steps as if it were a new stain by blotting and applying your chosen cleaning solution. Lastly, if all else fails, remember that you can always call professional carpet cleaners to remove any difficult spots.

How to remove coffee stains with other solutions

Vinegar

White vinegar is perfect for cleaning up a coffee spill on your carpet, according to the CRI. To use it, mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups of water and follow the steps above. Then, apply the solution, wait a few minutes, blotting, and rinse. If you want to know how to get coffee stains out of clothes, use white vinegar!

Hydrogen peroxide

You can make a hydrogen peroxide solution to remove coffee stains from light-colored carpets. Combine one tablespoon of 3% H2O2 hydrogen peroxide with three tablespoons of lukewarm water, then treat the stain as you would with soap and water. Before using this method on your whole carpet, do a spot test in an inconspicuous area first to check if it might bleach your carpet fibers.

Baking soda

To remove a coffee stain from your carpet, mix three parts water witof h one baking soda. Let the mixture dry, then vacuum it up. If the stain is still there, repeat as necessary.

Club Soda

You’re one step ahead of the game if you keep club soda in your fridge for future coffee stains. Be sure to use plain soda – no flavors or colors are needed.

You only need club soda. Pour it directly onto the stain from the bottle or transfer it to a spray bottle first, then let it sit for a couple of minutes. After that, blot with a clean cloth.

Dishwashing Detergent

If you. Like many of us, opt for vinegar over other cleaners; you’ll adore this stain remover recipe. First, mix one tablespoon of vinegar with one dishwashing soap in a bowl. Then add two cups of lukewarm water and stir the mixture before transferring it to a spray bottle. Next, apply the solution directly to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then blot it dry with a cloth. This method works great on other fabrics, too – be sure to test a small inconspicuous area first!

Stain removers

Coffee stains are no match for The Laundress Wash & Stain Bar! To use, wet the bar and apply it directly to the stain. Next, work it into the fabric using a brush in a circular motion. Let sit for five minutes. Then, dampen a clean microfiber towel with warm water and blot firmly—be careful not to scrub too hard, as this may damage delicate fabrics like silk.

Repeat this process until there is no sign of the coffee stain remaining. Always test on an inconspicuous spot before applying to stained areas. Some carpets made of natural fibers such as coir or sisal tend to mildew easily, and this method may leave permanent watermarks.

Lemon Juice

Not only is lemon juice an excellent all-natural stain remover, but it also works as a natural whitening or bleaching agent. So you can use lemon juice to remove stains from clothing, cups, carpets, and much more without worrying about harmful chemicals. Just be sure not to use it on dark-colored fabrics as it may cause discoloration.

To create your own lemon juice Stain Remover, squeeze the juice of one or two fresh lemons into a bowl (you should have about a quarter cup of lemon juice). Mix the lemon juice with two cups of lukewarm water and transfer it to a spray bottle—pre-treat stained areas by spraying them generously with the mixture and then laundering as usual.

When to stop cleaning

Whiting urges individuals to stop cleaning a stain when continuing may do more damage than good. Signs that it is time to quit include: if the water or product leaves a mark or creates discoloration, the treated area is cleaner and brighter than the rest of the fabric, the fabric ripples or wrinkles, etc. She further suggests that “if the item requires further cleaning, have a professional clean the item in-home.”

For coffee containing cream or sugar

You will need the following:

• Enzyme-based cleaner (pet stain remover)
• Cold water
• Paper towel / Kitchen towel

Step 1:

To remove coffee stains, blot the area with a paper or kitchen towel as much as possible to suck up excess moisture.

Step 2:

Dilute the stain with clean, cold water. This will loosen the paint and make it easier to remove.

Step 3:

Use a paper or kitchen towel to blot out the moisture. Repeat as necessary.

Step 4:

Apply an enzyme-based stain remover, such as a pet stain remover, to the affected area following the manufacturer’s instructions. Enzyme cleaners are designed to break down protein which is found in cream. This makes it an efficient cleanser for this type of mess.

Step 5:

After a few minutes have passed, rinse the enzyme cleaner off.

Step 6:

Once more, saturate the stain with clean water and use a paper towel or kitchen towel to soak up the wetness.

Step 7:

Keep repeating the process until you have used all the product and the carpet is mostly dry.

Step 8:

Use a paper towel or fan to dry the carpet completely to prevent mold and mildew.

How do I get coffee stains out of different types of carpets?

Car carpet

We all lead busy lives, often taking our coffee on the road with us. Unfortunately, this puts our car carpets and upholstery at risk of stains. And as most spills happen while driving, it isn’t always safe or possible to pull over and take care of the stain immediately.

But even if you have to go back and clean up a dried spill, later on, you can use the same methods as you would for your household carpet:

1. Blot it up. If the stain is fresh, use a clean cloth or paper towel to remove as much of it as possible. If the paint has dried, wash it with warm water and blot it again.
2. Could you clean it up? The timeless cleaning concoction of vinegar and dish soap also does wonders for car interiors. Combine 1 tbsp of each and 2 cups of warm water, then use a clean cloth to dab away the stain until it’s lifted.
3. Rinse and dry. Apply cold water to the area and dab it dry with a towel. Let the area air dry completely before applying any other treatments.

Wool Carpet

Although wool carpets must be cleaned with extra care, the process is not much different from cleaning any other type of carpet. It is crucial to remember, though, that you cannot use just any cleaning solution. For example, if the key has bleach or alkaline, the chemicals will cause the wool fibers to shrink.

The homemade mixture of vinegar and dish soap is best for wool carpets as it doesn’t have chemicals that can ruin wool fibers.

It’s important to immediately take care of any coffee stains on your carpet, no matter the type. The sooner you soak up the spill, the better your likelihood of saving your carpet. Blotting and dabbing (not rubbing) are key when cleaning a coffee stain from a Wool Carpet – just like with other spills!

Dark carpet

The cleaning mentioned above tips can also be used to remove coffee stains from dark carpets!

Light carpet

Mix white vinegar, dish soap, and water to clean light-colored carpets. Use a damp cloth to apply the solution to the stain. Rinse until the stain disappears. Clean with a fresh cloth before blotting dry with another towel. Finally, sprinkle baking soda on top of any remaining moisture and vacuum it up after five minutes.

How to Get Coffee Smell out of Carpet

Who doesn’t love the smell of coffee? Okay, maybe not immediately after it’s been spilled and is now staining your beautiful carpet.

What You’ll Need

• Baking soda
• A vacuum

1. Prep the Carpet

Once you’ve removed the stain from the carpet, vacuum it. It is getting as much dirt as possible is important so that it doesn’t interfere with future treatments.

2. Sprinkle With Baking Soda

After you vacuum, cover your carpet with baking soda as best as possible. Leave it for a few hours or even overnight for the best results. Baking soda eliminates odors from coffee, vomit, or pets effectively.

3. Repeat With a Vacuum

After the baking soda has absorbed the odors, vacuum the carpet. Once you’re finished, your room should smell clean again!

Quick Tip

If you use a vinegar-based stain remover, it would be beneficial also to do a baking soda treatment afterward. Notably, vinegar has a potent smell that some people might find disagreeable.

FAQ

Does WD 40 Remove carpet stains?

Even the best deep cleaners, vacuum cleaners, or home remedies can’t always eliminate the set-in stains. That’s when WD-40 comes in to save the day! A few sprays of this activated formula will have your carpet stain-free in no time.

Can I use OxiClean on the carpet?