The coffee stain – the ultimate horror for the owner of a light-colored carpet! Though everyone is very careful when moving a hot cup of coffee around the house, accidents do happen. What does it take to remove coffee stain from carpet? A basic rule of thumb applies for all kinds of carpet stains – the sooner you get started, the happier you will be with the outcome. Coffee spills are no exception.
Try a Natural Coffee Stain Remover
Some basic products that are available in every household can be used for the creation of a natural DIY coffee stain remover. Though it looks really threatening, the coffee spills is a relatively easy one to deal with. You will need a mild detergent, baking soda, white vinegar and a spray bottle.
Dealing with a stain that is still wet is the best case scenario.
1. Use the detergent and try to clean the carpet gently. Refrain from rubbing the cleaning liquid into the fabric because such an aggressive approach will make it very difficult to remove the stain.
2. Pour some water in the spray bottle and spray on top of the area you were just cleaning.
3. Pat dry with paper towels.
4. Sprinkle some baking soda on top to absorb the excess moisture.
5. Let the baking soda sit for a couple of minutes and use the vacuum cleaner to remove it from the treated area.
This procedure will often be sufficient to clean the coffee stain.
If some of the coffee is still in the carpet, use a mixture of equal parts of water and white vinegar. Treat and clean the stained area once again and dry it thoroughly upon completion.
Use a Commercial Stain Remover
A larger spill or a coffee stain that has already dried up can be removed with a commercial cleaning product. Choose a cleaner on the basis of carpet fiber that you have. You will also find some carpet cleaners that are especially formulated for coffee stains.
Moisten the area and apply the cleaning product. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to get the best outcome.
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A Few Specific Procedures for Different Types of Carpet Fabrics
The procedures already mentioned are general and will work on all kinds of carpet but if you want to treat the stain in a highly specific way, you should take a look at the following options.
When trying to get coffee stains out of natural fabrics, you will need to spray a little bit of cold water in the stained area. Use paper towels to get the moisture and some of the coffee out of the carpet. This method will deliver results for fresh coffee stains. If necessary, use a stain removal product and repeat the procedure.
Nylon and olefin are two other popular options when it comes to carpet fibers. These fibers are highly stain-resistant and most types of spills will simply need to be absorbed out of the fabric. Make sure that moisture is not trapped inside the carpet because it will produce unpleasant smell and possibly create the conditions for mold growth. When getting rid of older stains, you will have to buy a commercial cleaner that is especially formulated for olefin and nylon carpets.
Getting coffee stains out of polyester will demand the use water and white vinegar. Start bloating from the inside out to keep the stain from spreading. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Spray into the carpet and use a sponge to gently get rid of any stain residue. Blot with a cotton cloth or with paper towels. Rubbing is a big no-no when it comes to removing coffee stains from polyester carpets.
Always Test the Cleaning Solution First
No matter what kind of carpet stain you are dealing with, always test the cleaning liquid in some inconspicuous spot first. The rule applies to DIY carpet cleaners and to the commercial products.
Test the cleaner on a small patch of the carpet. Watch for discoloration or any other change in the appearance of the carpet. If anything like this happens, you will have to look for an alternative coffee stain cleaning method. Some carpets could be sensitive to cleaning solutions, especially if the colors are dark.
A Few Additional Cleaning Tips and Suggestions
Getting coffee out of your carpet is a relatively easy task but if you are dealing with an older stain, you may try the following procedure. Spray a bit of water to “soften” the stain and sprinkle salt on top of it. Salt will draw both the water and the coffee out of the carpet, making the stain much lighter in color. Vacuum clean the salt and use a specialized commercial cleaner to get rid of the remaining stain.
Lemon juice is another good idea because it can make dark spots lighter. You can mix some lemon juice with the commercial cleaner you are using on the stain. This mixture can get rid of the coffee extra fast.
Experts will also recommend the use of beer on coffee stains! Pour some beer on the wet or dried coffee spill. Absorb the moisture with a white cloth or with paper towels. Beer will help you draw the coffee out of your carpet.
Even if you currently lack the time to remove coffee stain from carpet, you have a range of cleaning possibilities that you can try later on. Many commercial products are non-toxic and powerful enough to help you get rid of old coffee stains. Alternatively, you can try one of the cheap and highly efficient DIY stain removal solutions described in this article.
Get rid of the coffee stains, clean your carpet properly and save time!
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