There’s nothing better than a steaming hot cup of coffee, but when calamity strikes and the drink spills, you need to know how to remove coffee from a carpet. Here’s what you need to do.
Tackling fresh coffee stains
The best way to tackle fresh coffee stains is act immediately. When the liquid is blotted up before it sets in the carpet fibres, removing the stain is simple.
What’s more, there’s no need to panic if you don’t have any stain-removal agents or carpet cleaners.
This is what you need:
- absorbent paper towel
- a clean, white cloth
- dishwashing liquid
- white wine vinegar.
To create homemade coffee stain removal agent, add equal parts vinegar and dishwashing liquid to two cups of warm water.
One tablespoon of each cleaning ingredient is sufficient.
Step 1. Absorb the spill
Fold the paper towel over a couple of times, so it’s extra absorbent and less likely to disintegrate.
Blot the spill with the paper towel.
If you don’t have paper towel, a clean, dry hand towel or dish cloth will work.
When most of the coffee has been mopped up, move onto the next step.
Step 2. Lift the stain
Dampen the clean, white cloth with the soap and vinegar solution and gently blot the stain.
Apply a little at a time. Work from the outside of the stain inwards to prevent the stain from spreading.
Avoid rubbing the soiled area. This forces the remaining coffee deep into the carpet pile. Continue adding the solution and dabbing, until the stain disappears.
Step 3. Rinse and air dry
Using a clean cloth or towel, liberally blot the entire area with cold water.
Once the soap and vinegar solution has been properly removed, open all the doors and windows in the room. This allows the carpet to air dry.
Tips for removing old coffee stains from carpet
Getting rid of old, dry coffee stains takes more effort and a slightly different approach.
The first step is to dab the area with warm water. It moistens the stain and helps loosen its “grip” on the carpet.
Continue blotting the area with warm water to remove as much of the stain as possible.
Then clean and rinse the area using the same home remedy and methods outlined above.
You may have to rinse and repeat several times to lift a stubborn stain.
If that doesn’t work, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda onto the dampened stain. Once dry, vacuum the carpet.
Professional carpet cleaning and stain removal services
There are times when the best DIY stain removal efforts don’t yield ideal results. Also, carpets and rugs need the occasional, professional clean to remove ingrained dirt. Whether it’s to help remove stains or generally to revitalise a carpet, periodic deep cleans are recommended.
Chelsea Cleaning offers specialist cleaning and stain removal services, for both loose rugs and fitted carpets.
Loose rugs and carpets, including flokati, kilim and Persian carpets, are professionally cleaned at our Wynberg premises. Collections and deliveries are included in the service.
Fitted carpets are cleaned at your home or office. We use a proven four-step process and industrial-strength cleaning products and equipment.
