We’ve all been there – you’re savoring a delicious cup of coffee, and suddenly, it spills on your clothes or, worse, on the carpet. The initial shock of the spill quickly turns into the annoyance of dealing with a coffee stain.
Spilling coffee on the carpet, especially a lighter-colored one, is as distressing as a red wine stain. It’s a stressful and unsightly situation that you want to address immediately.
Your first instinct might be to think the stain is permanent, but that’s not necessarily true.
Top Tip
Act fast. Don’t let the stain dry; start cleaning it up right away. Once you’ve dealt with the mess, you can relax with another cup of coffee.
There are various everyday household items you can use to effectively remove coffee stains from carpets and furniture.
Getting Coffee Stains on Carpet
Start with Cold Water
Begin by using cold water. Have two towels ready—one damp and one dry. Sponge the stained area with the damp towel and then blot it dry with the second towel. Repeat this process, and if you act quickly, it should remove the stain.
Soap
Apply a household soap or detergent to the stain. Rub a small amount into the stain and let it sit for about an hour, ensuring it doesn’t dry. Rinse with water, and hopefully, the stain will be gone. Blot the area to dry.
Vinegar
Mix white vinegar and water, then use a towel dipped in this solution to scrub the stain until it disappears. You may want to freshen up the carpet later with your preferred cleaner or carpet cleaner, as the vinegar smell may linger.
Toothpaste
Ensure it’s white toothpaste. Because it acts like an exfoliator, you can rub a small amount onto the stain to break it down. Rinse and repeat this process if necessary.
Baking Soda
Create a paste with baking soda and water. Scrub it onto the stain, continuing until the stain is gone. Rinse and dab it dry.
Beer
This may sound unusual, but pouring a small amount of beer onto a coffee stain on the carpet can be effective. Gently apply it into the stain, rinse, and repeat as needed.
To eliminate any beer smell, you may want to freshen up the carpet with your chosen carpet cleaner.
How to Remove Coffee Stains from Clothing
It always seems to happen when you’re wearing white – coffee stains come out of nowhere, especially when you don’t have a spare outfit to change into. Whether the spill occurs at home, on the way to the office, while running errands, or in the office itself, we’ve got a solution for you. You can effectively tackle coffee stains using common household items that most of us have readily available.
Cold Water
For a fresh coffee stain, run it under cold water. Make sure to run the water through both the front and back of the stain. Once you’re confident the stain is gone, wash the clothing as usual.
Washing Detergent
Apply a bit of liquid washing detergent to the stain and rub it in. If you’re in the office without laundry detergent, try a small amount of dishwashing detergent – it can work too. Let it sit on the stain for a few minutes; this should remove the stain. Don’t let it dry, and avoid machine drying until you’re certain the stain is gone.
Soap
Use whatever soap you have on hand, whether it’s a bar or liquid soap. Rub it into the stain and let it sit for about an hour, ensuring it doesn’t dry. Rinse with water, and hopefully, the stain will be gone.
Vinegar
Mix white vinegar and water, then use a towel dipped in this solution to scrub the stain until it disappears. Keep in mind that the clothing may smell like vinegar until you can wash it.
Toothpaste
Make sure it’s white toothpaste. Since it acts as an exfoliator, rub a small amount onto the stain to break it down. Rinse and repeat if necessary.
Baking Soda
Create a paste with baking soda and water. Scrub it onto the stain, continuing until the stain is gone. Rinse with cold water afterward.
Egg Yolk
While it may seem unconventional, many people swear by using egg yolk as a stain remover. Whisk up an egg yolk and rub it into the stain with a cloth for a minute or two. Rinse, and the stain should vanish. Keep in mind that the clothing might have a slight egg smell until you can wash it.
Baby Powder
Sprinkle a bit of baby powder onto the stained clothing. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water.
Shaving Cream
Because shaving cream shares many ingredients with soap, you can rub the stain with shaving cream, rinse, and repeat as necessary.
Paste
Consider making a paste by mixing equal parts of laundry detergent, vinegar, and water. Apply it to cover the stain, then use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the spot.
Stain Removal Spray
The next option is to spray the clothing item with a stain removal spray or soak it in stain removal powder and water. Put in a bit of elbow grease and gently scrub the stain with a good laundry soap.
Stain Pen
For those prone to coffee spills, having a stain removal pen in your desk, car, or handbag can be a lifesaver. These pens work quickly to remove stains until you can get home and wash the garment.
Wash ASAP
If you’ve tried any of these tips at the office or away from home, ensure to wash your outfit as soon as you get home. Once you’re confident the stain is gone, wash and air dry. Avoid machine drying until you’re certain the stain has disappeared.
Bleach
As a last resort applicable only to white clothing, consider using bleach to restore a white top or shirt to its original whiteness. Use caution when applying, ensuring no other items undergo unintended bleaching.
