How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet

The chances of spilling coffee and other liquids on your carpet are pretty high, especially if you have kids or pets. And even if you’re careful, accidents can still happen.

Thankfully, if you have a coffee stain on your carpet, the good news is that these stains are relatively easy to remove, as long as you act quickly and use the right products.

In this post, we’ll reveal a few simple methods you can use to get that pesky coffee stain out of your carpet for good.

 

Simple Ways to Remove Coffee Stains from Carpet

Whichever cleaning method you decide to try, you’ll want to start by blotting up as much of the spillage as possible with some kitchen paper or a clean white towel.

Act fast so that the stain doesn’t dry and dab gently, being careful not the rub the liquid deeper into the fibres.

Then, spray or sponge some cold water onto the stain to dilute any remaining coffee and blot it again.

You can then move onto removing the brown stain left over by the tannins in the coffee (the same compounds that will turn your teeth yellow over time if you drink a lot of it).

Just remember to check the type of carpet you have before applying any cleaning solutions.

Carpets made from natural materials like wool, grass or sisal can be damaged by certain liquids. In this case, it’s probably worth calling a professional for advice.

Otherwise, you can try one of the two methods below, depending on the colour of your carpet.

 

Method 1: Washing up liquid and vinegar

As washing up liquid and vinegar are easy to get hold of and safe to use on most carpets, this is the method we’d suggest you try first.

We’d also recommend using dishwashing liquid over laundry detergent, as laundry detergents can contain brighteners that may alter your carpet’s colour.

Method

1. Mix ½ teaspoon of washing up liquid, ½ teaspoon of white vinegar and two cups of warm water into a bowl.
   Alternatively, pour into a spray bottle and shake to combine. Make sure the water isn’t too hot, as this can set the stain into the carpet fibres.
2. Next, dip a clean sponge into the solution or use the spray bottle to apply the mixture to the stain. If using a sponge, dab the solution into the stain gently and don’t rub as this can push the coffee further into the fibres.
   Work from the outside in to prevent spreading and cover the stain completely, but try not to oversaturate the carpet as this can encourage mildew to develop. Once applied, let it sit for about a minute.
3. When the time’s up, take a clean white towel and blot the stain dry, again working inwards.
   At this stage, you will hopefully see some of the coffee’s brown pigment coming up onto the towel, hence the importance of using a light-coloured towel.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as needed, using a clean section of the towel each time, until you can’t see any more coffee lifting out of the fibres.
5. Then, dampen a sponge or microfibre cloth with some clean warm water and use it to rinse any leftover residue from the coffee and the cleaning solution out of the fibres. Again, this should be done using a gentle dabbing motion.
6. To finish, thoroughly blot the area dry with a towel and leave to air dry for several hours. If the carpet still feels damp, layer on some kitchen paper and place a heavy book on top overnight. Once fully dry, vacuum over the spot to lift the fibres back up.

Tip: If the treated area still looks slightly dark after being cleaned (step 4), try sprinkling a little bicarbonate of soda over the spot.

Leave it to sit for an hour, then vacuum it up and continue with steps 5 and 6 to complete the process.

 

Method 2: Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective cleaner that can be applied to white or light-coloured carpets to get coffee stains out of carpet.

However, it shouldn’t be applied to darker carpets as it has a bleaching effect that can permanently lighten the fibres.

For this reason, it’s best to carry out a patch test in a discreet area first and check for any colour changes or damage.

1. Before you begin, as you’ll be working with chemicals, don a pair of safety goggles and some rubber gloves, and open the window of the room you’re working in.
2. Then combine one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with three tablespoons of warm water into a clean spray bottle.
3. Dampen the stain with some warm water then spritz the solution onto it generously.
4. Next, place a wet white towel over the stain and a warm iron (with the steam setting turned on) on top of that.
   Leave the iron on the towel for around 20 seconds then remove. Just like with the first method, you should be able to see the coffee lifting out of the carpet fibres and up onto the towel.
5. Repeat step 4 as needed, making sure the towel doesn’t dry out and using a clean section each time to you can monitor progress.
6. To finish, follow steps 5 and 6 from the first method to rinse and dry the carpet.

 

How Do You Get Old Coffee Stains Out of Carpet?

If you’re tackling a dried in coffee stain, start by gently removing any hardened residue with a spoon, then run over the spot with your vacuum cleaner.

Next, dampen the spot with some warm water and follow one of the methods above to work out the stain.

Just bear in mind that you may need to repeat the process a few more times than you would with a fresh stain.

Enjoying our carpet cleaning tips? From how to make your carpet smell better to tips for removing orange juice stains, find tonnes more helpful advice on our blog.