How To Clean Coffee Out Of Carpet 2024

How to clean coffee out of carpet? The question sounds relatively simple, but it’s not easy to come up with the answer right away. If you are also on the lookout for the answer, the good news is, there are many treatments for coffee stains on carpeting.

That said, there’s no need to feel guilty or send your carpet to the laundromat after you have made such a mess. Just read on, and I’ll be more than delighted to show you how to resolve this common issue.

Removing Coffee Stains From Your Carpet Is Simple

In short, removing coffee stains from your gorgeous carpet is not a daunting task, whether it is fresh or old. The instructions and supplies will vary slightly depending on the damage and the kind of stain you have, but overall, it consists of the following steps:

• Blot up the coffee using a cloth rag. If it’s an old stain, you will need to loosen it with hot water.
• Remove the stain using the cleaning solution.
• Rinse the area to extract the solution.
• Pat the area dry.

That sounds pretty straightforward, don’t you think? Now, keep on reading to figure out how exactly you will remove particular coffee stains. You will be amazed at the number of choices being offered.

Coffee + Light-Colored Carpet: A Recipe For Disaster

Nothing is as satisfying as waking up to a freshly brewed coffee. Pour it into your favorite mug, add some sugar and cream, and you are ready to kick-start your day. But, somehow, as you are walking towards the carpet, the mug just slips out of your hand.

To most people, this is a common scenario, especially when they are still heavy-eyed from last night’s sleep. Now, the unsightly coffee stain has become the wake-up call for them. If not treated properly, your carpet will lose its curb appeal and end up in the junkyard.

And, same as a white shirt, stains on a light-colored carpet are usually tougher to get rid of completely. They will fade but only to a certain extent, and that’s not something you like to see. Goodbye, aesthetics!

How To Clean Coffee Out Of Your Carpet Effortlessly

If you have just spilled your cup of espresso on the living room carpet, don’t run into a panic. Gather yourself together, then keep reading this section to prepare what you need for the cleaning up.

Fresh Coffee Stains

With fresh coffee stains, you have a higher chance of saving your carpet, chiefly if time is on your side. All you need is a homemade cleaning solution made from vinegar, dish soap, and water.

Option 1: Dishwashing Solution

To banish fresh coffee stains, all you need is a simple solution made from dishwashing soap and lukewarm water. Some products will come with fluorescent dyes, which can change the carpet’s color. Thus, you’d better read the label carefully.

What You Need

• Cloth rags or towels
• Dishwashing soap
• Warm water

Instructions

Step 1: Use 1/4 teaspoon of dish soap and a cup of lukewarm water to make a solution.

Step 2: Douse a clean cloth rag or towel with the solution. Then, begin blotting the stain from the outside area to the middle.

Step 3: Allow the solution to sit for a while until it produces the desired effect. If not, continue blotting.

Option 2: Baking Soda

Got too much baking soda on the racks? Take advantage of it to clean your coffee spill.

What You Need

• Cloth rags or towels
• Baking soda
• Water
• Vacuum

What You Do

Step 1: Mix baking soda with water to form a paste (1:3 ratio).

Step 2: Apply the paste to the stain using a clean cloth rag. Likewise, rubbing is not advised, as it will cause the stain to spread even further.

Step 3: Once it’s dry, vacuum the remaining baking soda. If the pigment remains, repeat the steps.

Option 3: Baking Soda And White Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are the ultimate cleaning duo you must have. Together, they create a powerful chemical reaction, bringing the glam back to your utensils, fixtures, and textiles in just a few minutes. Indeed, coffee stains are no big deal with these two guys.

What You Need

• Cloth rags or towels
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Wet vacuum

What You Do

Step 1: Wet the stain with white vinegar.

Step 2: Then, cover the stain entirely with a generous sprinkling of baking soda. During this time, you will hear a fizzling sound caused by the reaction, which is completely fine. ⁽¹⁾

Step 3: Once the paste has stopped bubbling or after 15 minutes, clean up the baking soda with the vacuum. Make sure that your vacuum can suck up liquids and has a HEPA filter.

Step 4: Air dry the carpet.

Option 4: Hydrogen Peroxide And Dishwashing Soap

Although less potent than bleach, hydrogen peroxide still does wonders with removing mold, mildew, and stains on your carpeting. Nonetheless, you are still recommended to carry out a patch test before using it to prevent unwanted results.

What You Need

• Cloth rags or towels
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Dishwashing soap or water
• Iron or wet vacuum (optional)

What You Do

Step 1: Combine equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing soap or water.

Step 2: With a clean cloth rag, apply the solution to the stain. Similarly, rubbing movements are not encouraged.

Step 3: If the stain persists or does not seem to fade, you will need to resort to heat to lift the stain completely. You have two options: using a wet vacuum or a hot iron.

• If you go with the former, saturate the stain using the same solution. Leave it on for about 10 minutes. Then, power up the vacuum to suck up the liquid.
• If you go with the latter, you will also wet the stain with the solution. After that, cover the stain with a dampened towel. Run the iron over the towel for about 15-20 seconds before removing the towel to check whether the stain has gone.

At times, you are not lucky to remove the stain at the first round of vacuum or iron. Thus, you can repeat the steps until the stain disappears completely.

Step 4: Once the stain is removed, give the affected area a quick rinse, followed by a blot.

Note: This method is not recommended on dark-colored carpets, as discoloration is bound to occur.

Watch this video to know more:

Option 5: Homemade Solution Or Stain Remover

With most carpet stains, a simple solution made from dishwashing soap, vinegar, and warm water is just the thing you need. Alternatively, you can use a stain remover, which can break down the stain molecules easily.

What You Need

• Cloth rags or towels
• Dishwashing soap
• White vinegar
• Warm water
• Cold water
• Stain remover (optional)

What You Do

Step 1: First, you will need to extract most of the coffee from the fibers first. To do this, blot the stain using a clean cloth rag or towel (preferably microfiber). Start from the outside and gradually work towards the middle to minimize further spreading.

Note: Avoid rubbing motion, as this will allow the coffee to penetrate even deeper.

Step 2: Dilute the stain with cold water. Then, continue blotting to remove most of the coffee.

Step 3: Once the stain starts to lighten, mix one tablespoon of each dishwashing soap and white vinegar with two cups of warm water. Stir to dissolve. You can use a stain remover as an alternative, but make sure to do a patch test and read the instructions carefully.

Step 4: With another clean cloth rag or towel, apply the solution to the stain. Again, start by blotting the outward area and be careful not to rub the fibers. If you opt for a stain remover, you will spray the stain liberally, followed by a quick rinse. Repeat the steps if needed.

Step 5: Once the stain has somewhat faded, blot the area dry with a dry towel.

Step 6: Rinse cold water on the affected area. Wait for a few minutes before mopping up the liquids with a dry towel.

Get coffee stains out of your carpet right away with dish soap and vinegar.

Old Or Set-In Coffee Stains

The issue is somewhat more challenging with old coffee stains. Over time, the coffee will set into the material and, therefore, less likely to come out. Given that, cleaning old coffee stains out of your carpet is viable with this easy solution.

Option 1: Baking Soda

Nothing comes quite close to baking soda when it comes to cleaning, and that’s a fact.

What You Need

• Cloth rags or towels
• Baking soda
• Water
• Sponge or old toothbrush
• Vacuum
• White vinegar (optional)

What You Do

Step 1: Dampen the old stain so that it loosens up a little bit. Next, remove the excess coffee with a gentle blotting motion. Once you see that the pigmentation has disappeared, move on to the next step.

Step 2: Soak up the water as much as you can using more towels.

Step 3: Now, it’s baking soda’s turn to shine. You will combine one part of it with three parts water to form a bubbly paste, which should wipe off even the most stubborn stains. For extra cleaning power, feel free to add a tablespoon of white vinegar.

Step 4: Spread the paste onto the stain and wait for around 20 minutes. With coffee that has firmed up, it’s a good idea to use a sponge or perhaps an old toothbrush to scrub the area.

Step 5: Once you feel that the paste has washed away the stain, remove it from your carpet using a cloth rag. Subsequently, rinse the surface with clean water and allow it to dry.

Step 6: Once the textile is no longer dampened, vacuum the residual baking soda.

Option 2: Dishwashing Soap Or Ammonia

It’s true that old or set-in coffee stains are relatively difficult to remove, but still, it’s better late than never. With dishwashing soap or ammonia, your carpet will return to its glory in no time. Check out what tools and supplies you will need!

What You Need

• Cloth rags or towels
• Dishwashing soap
• Cold water
• Ammonia (optional)
• Vinegar (optional)
• Spoon (optional)

What You Do

Step 1: Old coffee stains will dry out if not cleaned right away. Hence, you will dampen the stain with water first. Give it some time to loosen up before moving to the next step.

Should the stain become semi-solid (because it has creamer, for example), use a spoon to scrape off the solids before softening the stain with water.

Step 2: Depending on the carpet’s material, you will use either ammonia or dishwashing soap solution.

• Wool carpets: Mix three drops of dish soap with a cup of water. With a clean cloth rag, begin sponging the stain using the solution and let it sit for roughly three to five minutes. Finally, remove the liquids using another cloth rag.

Another non-chemical solution you can use as a substitute is an even mixture of dish soap and vinegar.

• Wool blend or non-wool carpets: Combine one tablespoon of ammonia with a cup of water. Again, work the solution into the stained fibers using a cloth rag.

Leave it on for about three minutes before rinsing alternately with two towels, one dry and one dampened.

Note: When using ammonia, it would be wise to test it in advance to prevent damage to your carpet.

Step 3: Once the solution is blotted up, continue extracting the coffee stain using a new cloth rag. This can be more time-consuming than you think, so be prepared.

Option 4: Stain Remover

Don’t be desperate if you have not yet succeeded with the job. Just stop by the supermarket and grab any commercial stain remover. Make sure that you have read every precaution on the label before working on your cleaning project.

What You Need

• Cloth rags or towels
• Stain remover
• Warm water

What You Do

Step 1:Wet the old stain with warm water. The heat will gradually break it down. Don’t pour too much water on the stain, otherwise it will become oversaturated and take longer to dry.

Step 2: After ten minutes, pat the area dry with a cloth rag or towel.

Step 3: Spray the stain remover onto the affected area. Remember to read the instructions to prevent unwanted damage to your carpet.

Step 4: Let it sit according to the amount of time stated on the label. At last, rinse the stain quickly before drying it again with a dry towel.

Option 5: Lemon Juice And Commercial Cleaner

What to do when your box of baking soda is empty? Squeeze some fresh lemons instead!

What You Need

• Cloth rags or towels
• Lemon juice or club soda
• Commercial cleaner
• Spoon (optional)

What You Do

Step 1: Check whether the stain has congealed. If it is, soften it with water, or use the same spoon trick as instructed earlier.

Step 2: Mix equal portions of lemon juice and a commercial cleaner of your choice. Since lemon juice has bleaching properties, you’d better use it in a moderate amount. If no fresh lemons are a hand, open up a can of club soda instead.

Step 3: Add the solution to a spray bottle and wet the stain. Give it some time to infiltrate the pigmented fibers.

Step 4: Once the stain has lightened, rinse and pat dry.

Stains Caused By Coffee With Added Cream

Who doesn’t want a cup of black coffee and creamer? Well, you won’t like it so much once it’s all over your carpet. Creamer and other dairy products like whole or condensed milk will give you a hard time since they contain protein.

What You Need

• Cloth rags or towels
• Enzyme-based stain cleaner
• Water
• Spoon (optional)

What You Do

Step 1: Like previous methods, you will mop up the stain with a clean cloth rag to absorb the liquid as much as possible. If it’s a day-old stain, moisten it with water beforehand.

Step 2: Soak the stain in cold water, whether it’s new or old.

Step 3: With another cloth rag or towel, blot the stain continuously until the pigment fades.

Step 4: Dairy products contain protein, which must be broken down to kill the bacteria and prevent a stinky odor. To address this issue, apply a commercial enzyme-based cleaner to the affected area. Your most accessible option is pet stain cleaner.

Allow the enzyme cleaner to sit for a few minutes to dissolve the protein content entirely. For a more potent result, use a spoon to let the cleaner seep through the deepest fibers of your carpet, accelerating the process.

Step 5: Rinse the stain thoroughly, followed by a blotting process to extract the moisture.

Let’s find out how a pet stain remover works on coffee stains.

More Treatments For Coffee Stains

What other options do you have? A coffee stain can be remedied with the following products: baking soda, beer, salt, and so on.

• Baking soda: Form a paste by water with baking soda. Apply a paste with a cloth rag or a spoon to the stain and leave it for a few minutes. After that, rinse and pat the area dry.
• Toothpaste: For the best result, you should use white toothpaste only. Dab the stain with a smidgen of toothpaste and finish with a rinse.
• Beer: Pour beer directly on the stain. With your fingers, rub the fibers lightly to let the liquids penetrate deeper, breaking down the coffee. Rinse when the coffee pigment is no longer noticeable. Don’t forget to freshen up your carpet to dissipate the smell!
• Salt: Another option to eradicate coffee stains that not many people know is salt. It is cheap and always available, plus it comes with amazing dehydrating properties. All you have to do is scatter it on the stain and vacuum it up a few minutes later.
• Lemon juice: Surprisingly, lemon juice can also lighten pigmentation without ruining your carpet like bleach or other harmful chemicals. Spray a light coat of lemon juice mixed with commercial cleaner on the coffee stain and watch it disappear for good.

The Guide To Post-Stain Cleaning

Well, you can’t call it a day yet. Once the coffee stain has vanished, don’t forget to dry, clean, and deodorize your carpet before rolling on it again! Scroll down to see how you will do it.

Drying

Usually, the carpet will dry out quickly. However, if you are dealing with larger stains, let’s say those resulting from a pot of coffee, it will take you a little longer. To speed up the procedure, feel free to take your carpet outside or dry it with a wet vacuum.

Assure your carpet is completely dry before you return to the original spot. If the moisture is trapped in the deepest fibers, your carpet will soon be a breeding ground for mold and other harmful bacteria. Indeed, these microorganisms are detrimental to your health. ⁽²⁾

Rinsing

Rinsing is entirely optional, but many experts recommend you to do it. If you have previously cleaned the stains with chemical products like detergent, your carpet is more likely to attract more dirt particles within just a short amount of time.

You can quickly run your carpet under the tap if it’s small or have a professional take care of it. Afterward, remember to dry your carpet properly. Otherwise, not only will you deal with a musty odor but also increase the risk of facing mold problems, as I mentioned earlier.

Deodorizing

After the treatment, particularly with beer or chemical cleaners, an unpleasant odor is certain to linger on your precious carpet. To make it smell fresh again, cover the stain with a generous amount of baking soda. After a few hours, clean it with a round of vacuum.

Alternatively, you can fill a spray bottle with white vinegar diluted with water. After that, spritz your smelly carpet with the solution. You can choose to leave it on or dab it off using a towel. For a more fragrant result, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the bottle.

Wonderful Tips For Cleaning Coffee Stains On Carpet

Sure enough, the instructions are simple, but there are still plenty of things you wish you had known before jumping to your cleaning project. Skip these tips, and you’ll regret them for life!

• Prepare everything in advance: To make the job go plain sailing, preparation is key. Tell your family that coffee has caused such a mess and ask them to limit foot traffic at this point. Move out any furniture that’s in your way for ease of maneuver.
• Grab a light-colored, microfiber cloth or towel: With a light-colored cloth or towel, you can easily tell how much coffee you have extracted from your carpet. Regarding the absorbency, cotton cloth is a far cry from a microfiber one.
• Wear rubber gloves if needed: With commercial products, you should put on rubber gloves for safety reasons. Chemical cleaning solutions, even in the smallest amount, can be harmful to your skin.
• Keep pushing on: Most coffee stains, particularly those on your carpet for days or since God knows when, will not be removed straight away. Therefore, you will have to repeat the process several times if you wish to pull off a success. Don’t give up!
• Test it or mess it: Conducting a patch test is of utmost importance when your carpet is light-colored or costs you a fortune. To avoid damage, test the cleaner you will use on a hidden corner of the carpet to see whether it will cause a reaction.
• Avoid harmful chemical products: When chemicals are involved, things don’t often go your way. It can cause discoloration or worse ruin the texture of your carpet. Thus, strong chemical cleaners like bleach are a no-no.

And, lastly, act fast while it lasts. After a few hours, coffee will begin to set in, which makes it more complicated to resolve. Assuming that something goes beyond control while you clean the stain, immediately hand the job over to a professional.

FAQs

Removing coffee stains is not something you can learn in a day or two. Hence, I’m sure that you are still confused at this point. The following section will help you get a better picture of everything.

No Thrills In Coffee Spill

So, is everything about how to clean coffee out of carpet clear now? I bet it is. So long as you stick to my instructions, the stain will soon cut and run. Your carpet cannot thank you enough for coming to the rescue just in time!

If you have enjoyed this post, don’t forget to share it with your friends or any coffee lovers and stain haters. As usual, the comment section below is dedicated to your brilliant hacks and experiences. If you have something to say, I’m all ears! 

References

1. Wonderopolis.org. 2021. What Happens When You Mix Vinegar and Baking Soda?. [online] Available at: <https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-happens-when-you-mix-vinegar-and-baking-soda>.
2. Healthline. 2021. Mold in House: Causes, Signs, Health Issues, Prevention, More. [online] Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/health/mold-in-house>.