How to Remove Coffee Stains From Your Carpet in 30 Minutes
Don’t cry over spilled coffee
- Towels
- Vacuum (optional)
- Liquid dish soap
- White vinegar
- Baking soda (optional)
We've all been there. It's early morning, and you have a steaming cup of coffee in hand. When suddenly, the dog runs in front of you—and oops! Hot black coffee is suddenly spreading all over your beige carpet. Maybe you have time to clean it up right then, but if you're running out the door to a meeting, it's going to have to sit all day. Is there a DIY fix, or will you have to call in professional carpet cleaners near you?
Never fear, because there's an effortless way to clean coffee stains, whether they're fresh or have dried up. We've rounded up four simple steps to remove coffee stains from your carpet, and you likely have many of the necessary cleaning supplies already in your pantry.
4 Steps to Remove Coffee Stains From Your Carpet
Whether your coffee stain just set in a few minutes ago or was left there by the previous owners, our four-step method will help remove stains of all ages. Fresher marks are easier to clean, but you can also manage to pull up older stains with a bit of elbow grease.
Start With Blotting
If your coffee spill just happened, start by blotting up as much of the liquid as possible with a cloth or towel. Be sure only to blot, not rub (a common carpet cleaning mistake), to soak up the coffee without causing it to get trapped in the carpet fibers. For older, dried-up stains, skip this step.
Use a Cleaning Solution
It's a cinch to make your own carpet cleaning solution, and it'll likely be a cheaper option than buying a bottle of specialty stain remover. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap, and 2 cups of warm water. Next, dab the mixture to the coffee stain, moving from the outside toward the middle. Repeat this process as needed.
Blot Some More
Once the solution has been thoroughly worked into the carpet, it's time to blot it with a dry cloth or towel. Again, only blot lightly, not rub into the carpet fibers.
Rinse the Area
Once you’ve applied a cleaning solution and blotted the stain, you'll need to rinse the area with cold water. After each rinse, blot the liquid up. Repeat this process several times until the coffee stain is gone. When you're finished, let the carpet air-dry on its own.
DIY Removing Coffee Stains From Carpet vs. Hiring a Pro
For set-in or large stains that'll require more effort to remove, it might be time to think about hiring a top-rated carpet cleaner near you. A whole-house professional carpet cleaning costs between $120 and $240, with an average cost of $180.
Exact prices vary depending on the size and type of carpet material, as well as the cleaning method and whether you need additional stain removal services. Companies typically price their services per room as opposed to per square footage. So even if your stain is minor, plan to have all the carpet in your room cleaned. Expect to pay between $25 to $75 for one room to be cleaned.
Additional Questions
Can I use a pre-bottled carpet cleaner?
If you don’t have the DIY solution ingredients on hand or simply prefer not to make your own, buying a bottle of carpet cleaner is another quick solution. When reading labels, be sure to note if certain products are best suited for certain types of carpets or other floorings.
Can I use baking soda to clean my carpet?
Baking soda can be another helpful pantry supply for making a homemade carpet cleaner. To remove stains from the carpet, you can use it in the cleanup process. After Step 4, sprinkle baking soda over the wet area, and let it soak in. Then, vacuum up the leftover baking soda once the stain is dry.
