Remove a Coffee Stain from Carpet

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Nothing wakes you up in the morning like that first cup of coffee. Before the caffeine does its job, however, you're likely to still be half asleep, and that can lead to accidents--like spilling your coffee on your carpet. Don't worry. Follow these instructions to remove coffee stains of any kind--black, or with cream and sugar--from your carpet.

Steps

  1. Blot up the coffee with paper towels. Time is of the essence to prevent stains, so blot up as much of the coffee as possible as soon as possible. Remember: blot, don't rub.
  2. Decide how to treat the stain. It's essential to use the right stain-removal techniques for a type of carpet. For example, natural fibers, such as wool or grass, can react badly to liquid stain removers (see the warning below concerning these chemicals), and you should always think twice before cleaning antique carpets or valuable rugs. If in doubt, call a professional carpet cleaner.
  3. Spray some water on the stain. Put some lukewarm--not hot--water in a spray bottle and lightly dampen the stain. You can also dab some water on the stain with a sponge.
  4. Prepare the cleaning solution. Add ¼ teaspoon mild, non-bleaching detergent or carpet shampoo to {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of warm water. Stir the solution in a bowl to mix thoroughly.
  5. Test any cleaning solution in an inconspicuous spot. Before you apply any cleaner--including the one in these directions--to your carpet, test the cleaner in a small patch where no one will see it. Wait a few minutes. If the cleaner discolors or otherwise adversely affects the carpet, remove it immediately with cold water and a sponge. If it ends up causing permanent damage, at least it won't be right in the middle of the room.
  6. Apply the cleaning solution to the stain. Moisten a clean, white cloth liberally with the cleaning solution, and simply lay the cloth over the stain.
  7. Massage the cloth with a spoon. Use the bottom of a spoon to gently press down on the cloth. Gradually work your way all over the cloth, starting on the outside and working your way toward the center in a spiral to prevent spreading the stain. This process works the solution into the carpet without rubbing the stain in or damaging the carpet fibers.
  8. Rinse the stain. Lift the cloth off of the carpet, and spray warm water onto the stain. Alternatively, you may moisten a clean sponge with warm water and gently dab the stain.
  9. Remove excess liquid. Blot the stain with a clean dishtowel or sturdy paper towels. Blot, don't rub.
  10. Dry the carpet. Place a clean, dry dishtowel or sturdy paper towels over the damp spot. Place a plastic bag over them, and then place a heavy object, such as a large book, over the bag. Wait several hours or overnight before removing the towels. The stain should be gone and, because the drying process lifts even deep stains out, it won't reappear.

Video

Tips

  • Using white vinegar helps with the water quite a bit!
  • The longer you wait to remove a stain, the harder it will be to get it out, so act quickly.

Warnings

  • A wide array of carpet-cleaning chemicals are available. As a general rule, these should be avoided whenever possible, as they can easily damage carpets and may contain caustic ingredients that are not necessary to remove your specific stain. Most of these products are also harmful to the environment, and may cause allergic reactions or poisoning of the user or of children and pets.
  • Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands. While the cleaning solution you should use with these instructions isn't as harsh as most chemical cleaners on the market, it's still a good idea to be careful.

Things You'll Need

  • White cloths
  • Paper towels
  • Spray bottle
  • Teaspoon
  • Sponge
  • Water
  • Rubber gloves
  • Mild non-bleaching detergent
  • Bowl
  • A heavy weight, (i.e. a book)
  • Clear or white plastic bags

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  • VideoJug.com A video on how to remove coffee stains from carpet. The original source of this article. Shared with permission.
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