How to Remove Coffee Stains from Carpets

It only takes a few simple steps to remove coffee stains from carpets, even old, dry fixed stains. You can use common household items like vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide to remove tannins, which can leave dark coffee stains and sticky milk and cream residues on carpets.

Coffee stain removal on carpets works best if you dispose of and blot up as much liquid as possible quickly after a spill. Never scrub the stain as it can damage the carpet. Also, don’t over-wet the carpet as it may penetrate the underneath the carpet and promote mold growth.

Follow the instructions below to use everyday household items to remove dark tannins or milk proteins, which can make coffee stains difficult (but not impossible) to remove.

What You’ll Need

Equipment/Tools

• A clean white cloth
• Small Containers
• Quantity
• spoon
• vacuum

Material

• white vinegar
• Dishwashing detergent
• hydrogen peroxide
• sodium bicarbonate

How to Remove Coffee Stains from Carpet with Vinegar

01. Drain the Coffee

Use a clean white cloth to suck as much coffee as you can. Press a new, clean cloth over the stain until no more coffee is transferred to the cloth. Always treat the stain from the outside to the middle to prevent the stain from spreading.

Warning: Do not scrub carpets, this will damage the fibers and stain the stains. Instead, use a blotting or pressing motion without any back and forth movements.

02. Add Cold Water

• Pour a small amount of cold water over the coffee stain to dilute it.
• Blot all liquids with a new, clean white cloth.
• If dealing with a more serious leak, repeat this process at least twice. When there’s little coffee transferred to the cloth, move on.

03. Use a DIY Carpet Stain Remover

• Mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of dish soap with 2 cups of warm water in a small container or bowl and stir well with a spoon.
• Dip a clean white cloth into the mixture and suck it up onto the coffee stain, spreading from the edges to the center.
• Continue to re-moisten the cloth with a DIY stain remover as needed, again taking care not to oversaturate the carpet. Work until the stain is completely removed.

04. Rinse and Dry

• Blot some plain cold water with a clean cloth and rinse the stain remover off the carpet.
• Then, wipe the area with a dry cloth until the carpet fibers are as dry as possible.

05. Air Drying and Vacuum

• Allow the rug to air dry completely.
• Vacuum away any tangled carpet fibers.

How to Remove Coffee Stains from Carpet with Hydrogen Peroxide

You can also use hydrogen peroxide to remove coffee stains from carpets. The method is similar to the process of vinegar and dish soap.

01. Blot the Liquid

Blot as much liquid as possible with a clean white cloth.

02. Mix the Cleaning Solution

Mix 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 teaspoon dish soap and stir well with a spoon.

03. Use Cleaning Solution

• Soak a clean cloth in the mixture and draw the DIY hydrogen peroxide cleaner onto carpet or upholstery.
• Let it sit for at least 10 minutes.

Tip: Test the cleaner first in an inconspicuous area, as it may affect the dye on some carpets. Repeat as needed until the stain disappears.

04. Rinse the Stained Area

• Rinse the stain with a clean cloth dampened with water. Rinse well, as any residue left behind will attract the soil.
• Wipe dry with a clean cloth.

05. Air Drying and Vacuum

• Allow the rug to air dry completely.
• Vacuum the fibers of the carpet.

How to Remove Coffee Stains from Carpet with Baking Soda

Baking soda can also remove coffee stains from carpets.

01. Blot Staining

Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off the stain as much as possible.

02. Mix the Cleaning Paste

• Mix three parts water with one part baking soda to form a paste.
• Stir the mixture well with a spoon.
• Use a clean white cloth to suck the paste onto the carpet. Let sit on the stain for 20 minutes.
• Vacuum the dry paste.

03. Check for Stains

Check for stains and repeat the above steps if the stains persist.

How to Remove Old Coffee Stains

Old coffee stains don’t have to be permanent. Use vinegar and baking soda to remove old and dry coffee stains from carpets.

• Wipe the area with a white cloth dampened with warm water to help dissolve the coffee.
• Use vinegar dish soap DIY carpet cleaner to treat stains (instructions above). Blot dry with detergent and repeat until the stain disappears.
• When the carpet is air-drying, sprinkle baking soda over the area.
• Once the carpet is dry, vacuum off the baking soda.

Other Tips for Dealing with Coffee Stains

• Remove cream stains: An enzyme cleaner or detergent is one of the best carpet cleaners to remove cream coffee stains. Enzymes break down the proteins in the cream and prevent unpleasant odors. Rinse the carpet and blot it dry before proceeding with any other decontamination method.
• Handle shag rugs: If you have shag rugs, be prepared to do some extra work. The longer the carpet fibers, the more difficult it is to remove the stain. For longer fibers, blot thoroughly and limit the amount of liquid you put into the rug. Use a fan to blow the carpet completely dry.
• Check for colour fastness: Test any cleaning solution or stain remover on hidden spots on the carpet to make sure it doesn’t damage the color. You can also ask the carpet manufacturer for advice.
• Clean wool rugs and rugs: Coffee stains on wool rugs and wool blend rugs often require different care. Make a cleaning solution by combining three drops of mild dish soap with 1 cup of cold water. Apply this solution to the carpet with a sponge. Blot alternately with a clean white cloth dipped in water and a dry cloth. Allow the carpet to dry completely, then vacuum up the fibers.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the best way to get rid of old coffee stains?

The cleaning combination of vinegar and baking soda is a natural and effective way to remove coffee stains without damaging the carpet. Make your own carpet stain remover with vinegar and dish soap, then sprinkle with baking soda. Let it air dry, then vacuum it.

• Do coffee stains last?

If left untreated, coffee may leave permanent stains. Remove stains quickly; the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be. The best option for removing dry stains is to use a combination of vinegar, dish soap, and baking soda.

• In addition to vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda, what other household items can clean coffee stains from carpets?

Try cold water first. Blot dry and repeat. If that’s not strong enough, other options include beer and toothpaste. The acid in light-colored beer breaks down tannins, while white toothpaste is strong enough to clean tooth enamel and coffee stains on carpets.