How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet

For lots of people, enjoying a morning cup of coffee before getting on with the day is one of the little joys in life. It’s a basic morning ritual for many of us, but this also means that most of us have probably experienced the stomach-churning moment when the coffee cup takes a tumble and crashes to the ground, leaving a splattered mess of coffee all over your pristine carpet or rug. Leaving you wondering how to get coffee stains out of carpet quickly and easily!

It might be tempting to panic, particularly if you have a white or light-colored carpet, but don’t rush to start violently scrubbing at the carpet or seeking professional assistance too soon! Coffee might be one of the more stubborn stains to remove from carpets, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. In fact, if you get to the spill quick enough and mop up the coffee efficiently and effectively, you have a very good chance of removing the stain completely and leaving no lasting damage to your carpet.

With that being said, in some cases it might be necessary to call in the help of a professional, more so if the stain has been left to soak into the carpet for a long period of time. However, there are many steps you can first try yourself to successfully reduce the damage and lift the stain.

Each of the methods listed in this article can be carried out without professional help and without the need for any harsh, chemical cleaning agents. Each method uses only natural ingredients that really pack a punch when it comes to carpet cleaning and effective stain removal.

Related: How to Get Milk Out of Carpet

How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet

Step 1: Damage Control

First things first, you’ll need to assess the damage in order to tailor your next steps accordingly.

Catching the coffee spill while it’s still wet will maximize your chances of effective removal. This is especially important if the coffee contains milk or sugar, as leaving this to soak into the carpet will lead to significant bacteria growth and unpleasant odors.

Start by mopping up as much of the excess liquid as possible, taking care not to spread it further into the carpet. Use a light blotting motion to mop up the coffee and do so with a clean, dry towel or rag.

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If the coffee spill has been left to dry, spray it with some water and then mop this up to lift away as much coffee as possible, again taking care not to spread the stain.

Remove any furniture from the affected area and avoid walking or standing on it until it has been thoroughly cleaned and dried. Applying any weight to the spill will cause the coffee to sink further into the carpet, making it much more difficult to remove and possibly causing lasting damage to the carpet fibers.

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Step 2: Use Your Choice of Cleaning Solution

Your next step in How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet should be to thoroughly clean the area and remove all of the remaining coffee from the carpet. To do this, you could use your choice of non-toxic dish soap or detergent. There are various products available on the market for you to choose from, just make sure they contain no harmful synthetic chemicals or toxins, as these could be detrimental to the condition of your carpet and the well-being of you and any people or pets living within your household.

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If you would prefer to use some natural ingredients that you may already have lying around your home, you could also make your own DIY cleaning solution.

To do this, we recommend mixing equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. White vinegar is an anti-bacterial cleaning agent and will also neutralize any odors within the carpet – which is great when dealing with strongly scented liquids like coffee. You could also add a couple of drops of your chosen essential oils if you wish to add a light fragrance to the solution. Lemon oil is particularly good at removing stubborn smells and has additional brightening and anti-bacterial properties.

For convenience, mix the solution in a clean spray bottle and then spritz the mixture over the coffee stain. Ensure the stain is fully covered but don’t over-saturate the carpet as this can lead to excess moisture residing at the base of the carpet. Allow the solution to sit for up to an hour and then go in with a clean, damp microfiber cloth and work it into the carpet before rinsing and removing.

If necessary, repeat these steps a couple more times until you are confident that all of the coffee has been removed from the carpet.

Step 3: Tackling Stubborn Stains

As we have stated, coffee can be extremely stubborn to remove from carpets and soft furnishings. This means that even after cleaning the stain and removing any coffee from the carpet, you could be left with a tough stain that seems near-impossible to remove, regardless of how much scrubbing you do.

If this is the case, there are a few more all-natural ingredients and methods that may be able to provide some assistance in our guide on How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet.

Firstly, baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent, with anti-bacterial and deodorizing properties as well as the ability to naturally lighten and lift stains from fabrics and soft furnishings.

To use, simply sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over the stain and leave this to soak in for around ten to thirty minutes. If the stain is particularly dense and stubborn, you can then cover the baking soda with your white vinegar and water solution.

The white vinegar and baking soda should fizz as they react with one another and effectively lift out the stain. Allow this to sit for a further ten minutes and then use a dry brush or cloth to work it into the stain before rinsing and wiping away. Once any residual moisture has been removed from the carpet, you can use a vacuum to remove any baking soda particles that have been left behind.

Alternatively, hydrogen peroxide can also be used to lift stains and remove discoloration from your carpets. It is important to note, however, that hydrogen peroxide may be a natural ingredient, but it’s extremely potent and should be used on light carpets only and with adequate protective clothing to prevent direct contact with the skin. Always carry out a patch test on a less visible area of carpet if possible to ensure no lasting damage will be caused by the use of this product.

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Following the guidelines on your hydrogen peroxide bottle, apply the liquid to the stained area and allow it to sit before rinsing with cold water and removing it with a clean cloth.

Each of these methods should enable you to significantly reduce or completely eliminate any staining left behind by your coffee spill.

Step 4: Drying and Restoring the Carpet

The final step in the process of How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet focuses on thoroughly drying and restoring your carpet to its optimal condition after cleaning.

Remove as much residual liquid from the carpet as possible using a dry towel or cloth and then allow plenty of ventilation through the space to speed up drying time. Heaters and dehumidifiers can also be used to help the process along. It’s super important that your carpet is dried as quickly as possible to prevent the growth of bacteria within the carpet.

Once the carpet is dry, or while it is drying. Gently re-fluff the carpet fibers using a dry brush or carpet rake. Brush the carpet in different directions to loosen the fibers and restore the carpet’s fluffiness. You might need to repeat this step a couple of times per day to retrain the fibers, particularly if this is an area with high amounts of footfall.

Avoid placing any furniture directly on the affected area until the carpet has been fully restored.

When to Call in the Professionals

If the coffee spillage has been left to sit on your carpet for an extended period of time and you notice any unpleasant odors coming from the area, you may find that the base layers of the carpet have become damp and mold or mildew has begun to grow here.

If this is the case, it might be necessary to call in the help of a professional to lift the carpet and thoroughly clean the base layers and backing to remove all bacteria and prevent further damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Coffee Stains Be Removed?

Coffee stains can be removed, but it won’t happen immediately. You’ll need some time and patience to remove the stain successfully. Follow the steps covered in this article to remove the stain.

Does Hydrogen Peroxide Remove Coffee Stains from Carpet?

Yes, the peroxide will remove coffee stains from the carpet. Make sure you dilute the hydrogen peroxide with water before using it on your carpet.

Do Old Coffee Stains Come Out?

Getting to the stain quickly will give you the best chance of removing it successfully, but there may be times when you’re dealing with old stains. Although it may take a few applications, you can get old stains out.

Does Vinegar Remove Coffee Stains?

Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that has many uses, and it can be effective for dealing with coffee stains. You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, but it’s essential to dilute it with water before you apply the mixture.

Does Baking Soda Remove Coffee Stains?

Baking soda is another natural cleaning agent that some people use to deal with their stains. Although it’s better on fresh stains, it can also be useful for dealing with older ones.

Final Thoughts on How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet

Any kind of spillage on your carpet is not ideal. Carpets are expensive investments in lots of cases, and they make up the foundations of our homes, meaning any stains or discoloration can seriously impact the overall look and feel of the space.

Coffee stains, in particular, can be stubborn and unsightly, especially when found on light-colored carpets. Hopefully, the methods listed in this article on How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet helps you know how to get coffee stains out of the carpet so you can tackle the problem head-on and prevent any permanent damage to your carpet.

If you take away one key thing from this article – let it be the importance of dealing with spillages on carpets as quickly and efficiently as possible. Leaving the stain to soak into the carpet will seriously reduce your chances of thorough removal, so always try to act quickly!