How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet

Coffee may be your best bet for getting energized first thing in the morning, but it’s also notorious for its staining powers. That cup of java may not only stain your teeth, but practically any porous surface it comes into contact with. Accidentally spilling coffee on your carpet may send you into a panic, especially if you have light-colored carpet or if the stain is in a very noticeable area.

Fortunately, it is possible to completely remove most coffee stains from carpeting—and you may not even need to use a store-bought chemical cleaner to get the job done. Before you panic over spilled coffee, then, follow these tips and tricks for lifting that stain in no time.

Removing Black Coffee Stains From Carpet

If you spilled black coffee on your carpet, you’ll actually have a slightly easier time removing the stain than you would if the coffee had creamer or another dairy product mixed in. So, pat yourself on the back for drinking your coffee black! If you did spill coffee with creamer or milk, you’ll still want to complete these steps. However, you’ll also want to follow the steps in the next section to complete the cleaning process.

Blot Away as Much as Possible

This goes for just about any liquid stain; always blot away as much of the excess liquid as possible before moving forward with any steps. When blotting away spilled coffee, it is important to use a clean towel or paper towel and to avoid scrubbing as much as possible. Scrubbing will only further spread the stain. When blotting, simply press a clean towel into the stain and allow it to absorb as much liquid as possible. Swap out your towel or paper towel with a fresh one as needed to ensure that you’re not pressing liquid back into the carpet as you blot.

Create a DIY Cleaning Solution

Once you’ve removed as much of the coffee as possible from the carpet, it’s time to create your homemade cleaning solution. There’s a good chance you already have most or all of the ingredients on-hand. If not, you should be able to find any remaining ingredients at your local grocery store or convenience store.

To create a carpet-cleaning solution, simply add a tablespoon of your favorite dish soap and a tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of warm water. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are incorporated. You can mix this into a spray bottle for easy application or simply apply the mixture directly to the affected area. The nice thing about using a spray bottle or other container is that you can save the remaining cleaner to use again later on if needed.

Test the Cleaning Solution

This homemade cleaning solution is pretty forgiving on most types and styles of carpeting. However, it’s always a good idea to test any new cleaner in a small, inconspicuous area before you use it on a larger section of carpet. To do this, apply a very small amount of the cleaning solution to a hidden area of carpet (such as a portion of carpet that is covered by furniture). Wait 30 minutes to make sure there is no discoloration or damage to the carpet before continuing.

Apply the Cleaner and Blot

When it comes time to put your homemade cleaner to the true test, you can either spray the mixture directly onto the affected area of your carpet or use a cloth dipped in the cleaner to apply it directly. Either way, once the cleaning solution is applied, use a clean cloth or towel to blot it into the stain as thoroughly as possible. Allow the cleaning solution to work its magic against the coffee stain for a few minutes before moving onto the next step.

Rinse and Dry Your Carpet

The final step is to rinse the remaining cleaner and stain from your carpet, as well as to let it dry out. To do this, pour a small amount of water over the area. Use another clean towel or cloth to blot the water (as any remaining stain) from the fibers of the carpet, removing as much excess liquid as possible.

From there, you should see that the coffee stain is effectively removed from your carpet. If there is any staining or discoloration left, try repeating this entire process one more time and allow the cleaning solution to sit for a few extra minutes. Once you’re happy with the results, you may want to set a box fan up in front of the damp area to promote air circulation and speed up the drying process.

What if the Coffee Contained Milk or Creamer?

If your coffee contained milk, creamer, or any other dairy product, you’ll want to take one additional step to prevent your carpet from smelling like spoiled milk! The best course of action here is to add a small amount (about a cap-full) of laundry detergent with enzymes to a cup of water. After you’ve gone through the cleaning steps described in the previous section, add that mixture to your carpet, blot it into the fibers, and rinse with water. Blot dry as much as possible and again, consider setting up a fan to promote faster drying of your carpets.

When to Call a Professional

If you’ve followed all of these steps and still aren’t successful in removing the coffee stain or odors such as pet odors from your carpeting, it may be time to call a carpet-cleaning professional to tackle the job. In some cases, carpet fibers may absorb coffee to the point of not being easily removed with homemade or even store-bought cleaning solutions. This is most common with high-piled carpet or with older, set-in coffee stains.

Either way, a professional carpet cleaner will have the tools and experience needed to remove the coffee stain, along with any lingering odors from creamer or milk. Often times, a steam-cleaning will be the best course of action—but your carpet cleaning company will be able to advise further.

Need More Help With Your Household Cleaning?

With all that goes into keeping your house up to your standard of clean, it’s easy for household cleaning tasks to begin taking up too much of your precious time. If this is the case for you, then it may be time to hire a professional maid service to handle things like vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and laundry. Maid Sailors is happy to offer the day-to-day cleaning services you need, in addition to more involved deep-cleaning services. Reach out today to schedule your appointment or find out more about us!