How to Remove Coffee Stains from Carpet

There's nothing better than a relaxing coffee in the living room – until that coffee ends up on the carpet! Spilling coffee can feel like you've ruined your carpet, but luckily, there are many ways to fix the problem. Read on as we discuss how to remove coffee stains from carpet.

Fresh coffee spills

As with most liquid spillages, you should deal with a coffee spill as quickly as possible. This is because coffee is very good at dying fabric, so it is likely to stain, especially if you have light carpets.

The first thing you need to do is blot the area with a cloth or towel, to collect as much liquid as possible. You should also dilute the spilled coffee with cold water, then continue blotting it. You'll know that you've got as much out as you can when blotting doesn't change the colour of your cloth any more.

Dried coffee stains

Once coffee has set in, it's more difficult to remove it from your carpet. However, it's not impossible.

First, loosen the stain with warm water. You then need to blot it with a wet cloth. Make sure that you blot using inward motions, to avoid spreading the stain.

You can then choose how to remove coffee stains from carpet using the methods below:

The white vinegar method

Mixing two cups of water, one cup of white vinegar and one tablespoon of dish soap creates a stain remover. Use a sponge to apply this mixture to the area, then blot it dry. You can repeat this as many times as you need to.

The baking soda method

Alternatively, you can mix three parts baking soda with one part water. This paste can be applied to the area, then left to dry. Once it's dry, you can vacuum it up, bringing the stain with it. This can also be repeated.

The toothpaste method

Toothpaste is designed to gently remove dirt, making it an effective exfoliator for carpet stains. Rub a small amount of toothpaste into the stain, then use water to blot it away. Make sure you use a white toothpaste, as dyed toothpaste may stain your carpet further.

The beer method

Under normal circumstances, you probably wouldn't want to be pouring beer onto your carpet. However, beer can help to lift coffee stains. Similar to using toothpaste, apply a small amount of beer to the stain and then blot it away with water. Beware that the smell of beer may stick around, so you may need to clean your carpet further!

Whichever method you choose, make sure that you blot away as much liquid as possible. Leaving your carpet too wet could take a long time to dry and lead to bigger issues like mould.

Hire a professional carpet cleaner

If you’re wondering how to remove coffee stains from carpet, the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) can help. We have a directory of professional carpet cleaners with the expertise and experience to get coffee out of your carpet. Every NCCA-accredited cleaner is insured, experienced and follows our code of conduct.

Search our directory for trusted local carpet cleaners.