If you have installed a carpet on your floor and you love your morning cup of coffee, then ending up with spills on your carpet is inevitable. But that notwithstanding, coffee stains on the carpet are a common carpet for most homeowners.
Sadly, many people don’t know how to deal with stains, and as a result, they end up ruining the beautiful looks of their carpets and rugs. The good news, however, is that you don’t always have to rely on professional carpet cleaners to help you get rid of the coffee stains.
If you have the time and you are willing to follow a few simple instructions, then you will never have to worry about coffee spills ruining the beautiful looks of your carpet. In this piece, we will talk about the best ways to remove coffee stains from your carpets, as well as other simple techniques that you can use any time you have spilled coffee on your carpets and rugs.
Cleaning coffee from your carpet
The best way to deal with coffee stains is to attack them the minute they occur. If you wait any longer, the stains will dry, and you may be compelled to consider professional carpet cleaning to help you with the stain removal. Otherwise, you should always consider dealing with the stain when it is still wet, using the steps outlined below.
Step One: Lightly wet the stain
Lightly wet the stained area using warm water to loosen the dried-up coffee stain. With a dry white cloth, gently blot the area, starting with the edges as you work your way inwards to avoid the stain’s color from seeping into the surrounding fibers. Do this until you see no more coffee is getting transferred from the carpet to your cloth.
Step Two: Apply a cleaning solution
At this stage, you are free to use a carpet stain remover, but instead of investing heavily in a remover for this one-time event, you can easily make your own solution from supplies you already have in your kitchen. For example, take one tablespoon of white vinegar and a tablespoon of liquid dish soap then mix the two with two cups of warm water.
With a clean cloth, apply the solution to the stain, starting from the edges while you work your way towards the middle. After covering the entire area with the solution, allow it some time to settle before blotting it with a dry towel until all the stain is gone. You may have to do this multiple times before you get the desired results.
Step Three: Rinse with cold water
The next step is to use cold water to rinse the stained area to finally get rid of all the stains. Again, ensure that you have blotted up as much liquid as you can to ensure that the entire stain is removed from the area. Allow the carpet to dry on its own, and during this time, do not rub on the freshly cleaned area until it is properly dried. This is because you may end up adding more stains on an already cleaned area.
The simple process above should be sufficient to get rid of most coffee stains if you didn’t allow the stain to sit for too long before cleaning it. However, if you are unsuccessful with the above, or the stain persists after trying a couple of times, then you may consider professional carpet cleaning services to help with the stain.
Other techniques for dealing with coffee stains
In addition to the above method, there are other various approaches you can use to get rid of coffee stains from your carpet. Below is a brief look at some of them so that you have more than one tool for dealing with coffee stains on the carpet.
Using commercial stain remover
If making your own cleaners on-demand is too tiring for you, then you can simply invest in a commercial cleaner and have it ready to go whenever you have coffee spills on your carpet. This is also a great solution if you were not present at the time of the spill, and you are faced with an already dried-up stain.
With these cleaners, all you must do is moisten the affected area, then apply the cleaner following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Treat the stain with beer
There is more than one use for beer, and one of them is dealing with stains occasioned by coffee spills on your carpet. All you have to do is pour some beer on the stain and rub it gently on and around the affected area. Then, blot the area using a soft piece of cloth, repeating the process until the stain is completely removed.
Use the power of vinegar
Vinegar is another great solution for removing coffee stains from your carpet. All you have to do is make a solution of one part water to three parts vinegar and use it to clean the stain. With the mixture, dip a sponge into the solution then gently dab the sponge on the stain until it is completely removed. You can then repeat the action with cold water to rinse off the area before allowing it time to dry completely.
Baking soda
Another common household item that can be used to remove coffee stains from carpets. It is an effective abrasive cleaner that can break down and absorb stains. To use baking soda, sprinkle a generous amount onto the stain and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then, use a damp cloth to scrub the area and remove the baking soda. Repeat the process if necessary until the coffee stain is fully removed. Remember to always test the baking soda on a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet before using it on the stain to ensure that it does not damage the carpet fibers.
Dried coffee stain
If you have a dried coffee stain on your carpet, don’t panic. There are a few things you can do to try and remove it. First, use a vacuum to remove any loose particles from the stain. Then, mix equal parts water and white vinegar and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then use a clean cloth to blot the stain. You can also use baking soda to help loosen the dried coffee. Sprinkle baking soda onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before vacuuming it up. If the stain persists, it may be time to call in professional carpet cleaners.
Work with professional carpet cleaners
Getting rid of coffee stains using the above methods should make your carpets look clean and new again. However, there are instances when you encounter tough coffee stains that will not yield using the above methods.
In such cases, the best approach is to call for professional carpet cleaning services. The professionals have a myriad of techniques to help you get rid of all manner of stains that may be blemishing your carpets and rugs.