Coffee stains are really common and even though they look scary, they are actually not so difficult to remove. You will need a few household items that you probably already have at home. In this article, we will show you a few simple steps you can take in order to get rid of coffee stains. By doing this, you may even be able to get rid of old coffee stains. You will only need common products like baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide.
You have the highest chance of completely removing the coffee stain from your carpet if you work as soon as the spill happens. Start by blotting it in order to prevent it from soaking deeper and spreading around more.
An enzyme-based cleaner is one of the best products to use when it comes to coffee and cream stains. It will break down the protein in it and prevent bad odours. Make sure you rinse and blot the area dry before you continue with any other cleaning steps.
When using any cleaning solution (DIY or commercial), test it on an inconspicuous area to see if some damage will occur. Keep an eye on the colour and the fibres’ condition.
How to remove coffee stains by using vinegar:
Blot away as much coffee as possible with a clean white cloth. Removing excess liquid will make it easier to clean up. Always work from the outside of the stain towards its centre. Avoid scrubbing the area since you may damage the fibres of the fabric, as well as work the stain deeper in the carpet making it really hard to remove.
Dilute the stain with water. Pour a small amount of cold water on the stain in order to dilute it, then blot this area again. Repeat a couple of times if needed. It is important that you do not oversaturate the carpet. You want to dilute the stain but not soak the whole carpet.
Mix your DIY carpet cleaning solution by combining 1 tbsp of white vinegar, 1 tbsp of dish soap and 2 cups of warm water in a small bowl. Stir well with a spoon. Dip a clean cloth or a sponge in the solution and start dabbing and working it in the stained area. Always work from the outer edge towards the centre of the stain. Continue to dip your cloth/sponge in the cleaning mixture and dab the stain until it is gone. Keep in mind that you should not oversaturate your carpet with the cleaning solution.
Use a fresh, clean cloth and blot on some cool water in order to ‘’rinse’’ the stained area and remove any soapy residue. When no more soapy solution can be found on the carpet, use a dry cloth in order to blot the area dry.
How to remove coffee stains by using hydrogen peroxide:
If you don’t want to use vinegar, you can use hydrogen peroxide instead. The two methods are quite similar so keep reading to find out how to do that.
Before attempting to clean the stain, blot up as much liquid as possible using a clean white cloth. Then mix a solution of 1 cup hydrogen peroxide and ½ teaspoon of dish soap.
Dip a clean cloth or a sponge in this solution and apply it generously to the stained area. Blot the stain with it and do not scrub it. Let it stay there for at least 10 minutes. Always make sure you test the solution on a small hidden area of the carpet or upholstery piece to check if some colour changes occur. You want to avoid damage to the fabric.
After 10 minutes, use a clean white cloth dipped in cool water in order to blot away the cleaning product residue from the fabric. Make sure you remove all of it since any leftover product will attract more soil.
How to remove old coffee stains:
- Dip a white cloth in some warm water and dab it on the stain in order to loosen the coffee stain.
- Use the vinegar and dish soap method that we mentioned above.
- Sprinkle some baking soda on the stained area as it air-dries.
- Vacuum when the carpet is drier in order to remove the baking soda and restore the texture of the fabric.
For wool fabrics and rugs, you can use a mixture of 1 cup of water and 3 drops of mild dish soap. Blot the stained area and rinse with a clean white cloth. Repeat those steps until the stain is gone.
Keep in mind that it is always best to treat coffee stains while they are still fresh so if you can get on with the cleaning process straight away, waste no time and avoid letting them dry out and set on your carpets or upholstery.