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How to Remove Coffee Stains from Carpet
Christina asked: How can I remove old coffee stains from a Stain Master carpet? They weren’t tackled
immediately (or were wrongly tackled) and now assault my eyes every day. Carpet is a Stain Master (ha!) new in
2007, light camel/gold color and Berber, not shag.
Table of Contents:
1. Y o u W ill N e e d
2. S te p s to R e mo ve the Co ffe e
3. A d d itio na l T ip s a nd Id e a s
When it comes to spilled coffee, time is of the essence, the sooner you can treat these spills, the less likely that
there will be a stain. However, there are times when we don’t (or can’t) clean up a spill right away and we’re left
with a mark as a reminder of our delay. Here are several cleaning options to get the stain gone and your carpet
back to normal.
You W ill Need:
White foam shaving cream
Mild soap or dish detergent (bleach-free)
Baking soda
Vinegar
Water
Spray bottle (optional)
Paper towels or soft cloths
Steps to Remove the Coffee:
*Always test a small hidden section first to ensure the cleaner will not cause any adverse effects to the color or
texture of the carpeting.
1. The sooner you can catch a spill, the better. If the spill is fresh, begin by blotting the area to absorb as
much as possible. It is best to work from the outside of the spill towards the middle to avoid spreading the
stain.
2. Next, spray on plain water and blot with a clean cloth.
3. Repeat until much or all of the coffee is removed. If it is treated promptly, it can often be removed without
any staining.
4. If there is a stain left, or if you are unable to get to the stain right away, continue with the following steps.
5. Apply a mild soap or detergent to the area and gently work it by rubbing the fibers between your fingers.
Avoid pushing down as you rub as this will push the stain further into the carpet.
6. Spray with water and blot several times to rinse.
7. If there is still some staining, apply a foamy shaving cream to the area and rub it gently with a clean cloth.
8. Blot to remove. Repeat as necessary.
9. Rinse by spraying with clean water and blotting with a clean cloth.
10. Still got staining? Make a paste with baking soda and water. It should be the consistency of toothpaste.
11. Spread the paste onto the stain and allow it to sit and dry.
12. When it is dry, vacuum it away and the stain should be gone.
13. If not, mix 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts water and spray the stained area.
14. Blot with a clean cloth to remove. Repeat as necessary.
15. Rinse the area with clean water and blot with a clean cloth.
16. When the stain is completely gone and the area has been rinsed thoroughly, lay a small stack of paper
towels over the wet area and either step on it to absorb the water or lay a heavy book on top for a couple
of hours. This will help draw out the last bit of water from the carpet fibers.
17. Allow the area to air dry completely.
18. Finally, vacuum to restore the carpet’s texture.

2. Additional Tips and Ideas
There are commercial cleaners available for removing coffee stains. Two that you may want to consider
are “Coffee Stain Remover by Masterblend and ForceOut.
Have a spill that you can’t get to right away? Cover it with salt. The salt will absorb the coffee and lessen
the stain significantly.
If working to remove an old stain, make sure to moisten the area well first. You want to get the stain wet to
make it “fresh” again.
5 Fo o d s to ne v e r e a t
Cut d o wn a b it o f s to ma c h fa t e v e ry d a y b y ne ve r e a ting the s e 5 fo o d s
Filed Under: Ca rp e ts a nd R ug s , Cle a ning Guid e s 1 Co mme nt