Nothing wakes you up in the morning like that first cup of coffee. Before the caffeine does its job, however, it's likely he's still half asleep, and doing some damage - like spilling coffee on the carpet. Do not worry. Follow these instructions to remove coffee stains of any kind - black, or cream and sugar - from the carpet.
Steps
Step 1. Dry the coffee with a paper towel
Time is of the essence for stains, so dry as much coffee as possible as soon as possible. Remember: dry, don't scrub.
Step 2. Decide how to treat the stain
It is essential to use the stain removal techniques suitable for the type of carpet. For example, natural fibers, such as wool or grass, can react badly to liquid stain removers (see the warning below regarding these chemicals), and you should always think twice before cleaning antique or precious carpets. If in doubt, call an experienced professional.
Step 3. Spray some water on the stain
Put lukewarm - not hot - water in a spray bottle and lightly moisten the stain. You can also wipe the stain with a sponge.
Step 4. Prepare the cleaning solution
Add ¼ teaspoon of a mild, non-bleaching detergent or carpet shampoo to 1 liter of warm water. Shake the solution in a bowl to mix thoroughly.
Step 5. Try any cleaning solution in an inconspicuous place
Before applying any cleaner - including those described in this article - to the carpet, try it on a small area where no one can see. Wait a few minutes. If the cleaner discolors the carpet, or creates other problems, immediately remove with cold water and a sponge. If it ends up causing permanent damage, at least it won't be right in the center of the room.
Step 6. Apply the cleaning solution to the stain
Dampen a clean white cloth with the cleaning solution and simply place the cloth over the stain.
Step 7. Massage the cloth with a spoon
Use the bottom of a spoon to gently press down on the cloth. Gradually do this work all over the cloth, starting from the outside and working towards the center in a spiral to prevent the stain from spreading. This process transfers the solution into the carpet without rubbing the stain or damaging the carpet fibers.
Step 8. Rinse the stain
Remove the cloth from the carpet and sprinkle warm water on the stain. Alternatively, you can moisten a clean sponge with warm water and gently pat the stain.
Step 9. Remove excess liquid
Blot the stain with a clean tea towel or sturdy paper towels. Dry, do not rub.
Step 10. Dry the carpet
Place a clean, dry tea towel or sturdy paper towels over the damp stain. Place a sheet of plastic on top and then place a heavy object, such as a large book, on it. Wait several hours or overnight before removing the tea towel. The stain should be gone, and as the drying process works deeply, even deep stains will not reappear.
Advice
- Using white vinegar with water helps a lot!
- The longer you wait to remove a stain, the harder it will be to do so, so act fast.
Warnings
- A wide range of carpet cleaning chemicals is available. As a general rule, they should be avoided whenever possible, as they can easily damage carpets and may contain caustic ingredients that are not needed to remove your specific stain. Most of these products are also harmful to the environment and can cause allergic reactions or poisoning of the user or of children and pets.
- Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Even if the cleaning solution proposed with these instructions is not as aggressive as the chemicals available on the market, it is always a good idea to be careful.
