Coffee is a delicious beverage for mornings. But the real trouble arises when you accidentally spill it on your carpets. Although such mishaps are common, there is nothing to panic about, as we’ve got this blog to help you effectively remove them from your carpet.
We will split this blog into two parts, with the first section focused on removing cold coffee stains and the second on hot coffee. So, make sure you read this blog through to the end, follow the instructions, and remove coffee stains from the carpet like a trained pro.
Cold Coffee Stains: 3 Steps To Clean Them
1. Soak Up The Spill
So, first of all, all you need to do is absorb the spill properly. The more you absorb, the more effective the further steps will be. Use some old rags or paper towels, place them on the spill, and press them hard with your fists to soak as much as possible. You can also stand on them, using your complete body weight to absorb the maximum spillage.
2. Apply A Solution
The next step is to apply a solution. To deal with cold coffee stains, a combination of mild dish soap and water is the perfect choice to opt for. The steps to apply them go on like this:
⇒ Fill a spray bottle with water and add one teaspoon of mild dish soap.
⇒ Mix well to create a gentle cleaning solution. Next, spray the solution on a clean, white cloth and wring it out properly.
⇒ Blot the spill with this dampened cloth, working from the outside inwards. Rinse the cloth repeatedly in clean water and repeat the blotting process to lift the coffee.
3. Rinse And Dry Properly
As the stain disappears, use a clean, damp cloth with cool water to rinse the soapy residue from the carpet. Then, grab a clean, dry cloth and blot the area to remove excess moisture.
Lastly, let the carpet dry completely. Use table fans or dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process, and amidst the waiting period, ensure not to step on the cleaned area.
The Right Steps To Tackling Hot Coffee Stains
Now, let’s get on to removing hot coffee stains from the carpet. Generally, hot coffee stains are much darker in appearance (as you might’ve seen). This is because of a molecule called ‘Melanoidin’ that gives coffee the brown color.
And let’s be honest, mild dish soap is obviously not a powerful enough solution to eliminate these molecules. So, we’re going to use Hydrogen Peroxide and Ammonia for this purpose. Follow the steps to learn how:
1. Test The Solution
Experts recommend using 6% salon-grade hydrogen peroxide, as a mere 3% is simply not enough to deal with ‘Melanoidin’ compounds. So purchase it from a nearby store and before directly applying it, test it in a hidden part of the carpet first.
Not testing the solution beforehand, especially hydrogen peroxide is one of the most common carpet cleaning mistakes you must avoid, as it can cause color change.
2. Initiate The Process
If the test goes well, sprinkle the solution to the stained area liberally. To speed up the reaction, apply ammonia quickly. This combination of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia is strong enough to break the Melanoidin molecules.
Now, wait for some 8 hours for the solution to do its magic. After the waiting period, you can see the stained area has been lightened if not removed completely.
So, in such cases, all you need to do is repeat the process and wait for an additional eight hours. Eventually, two or three repeats at the very least will fulfill your goal.
3. Vacuum Up
Once the stain is no longer available, grab your vacuum cleaner and vacuum the cleaned area thoroughly. Apply firm pressure in a zigzag pattern over the cleansed area to ensure complete coverage.
Summing Words!
Coffee spills are one of the most common mishaps for carpets. Although they are not a major concern, dealing with them appropriately and promptly is essential.
Thus, by following the steps outlined in this blog, you can remove both hot and cold coffee stains and ensure that the stained area of your carpet doesn’t detract from the overall appearance of your flooring.
