We've all done it. It's early in the morning, we've just woken up, and it's time for some coffee. But suddenly, pouring the coffee mid-yawn, we missed the mark and stained the carpet! Cue several minutes of cursing and frantically dabbing at that dark, warm stain with paper towels.

But there are easier, more effective ways to get that stubborn coffee stain out, often involving common household products. Here's our guide on how to get coffee stains out of carpet.

How to Get New Coffee Stains Out of Carpet

Let's tackle the most immediate need first – a new stain marring that clean carpet. The best way to clean up a coffee stain is to tackle it immediately. Grab a clean, white cloth and start to dab at the liquid. Start at the outside edge of the spill and work inwards to the center. This will help stop the stain from spreading further.

Don't rub vigorously, though. This could lead to the liquid getting stuck in between the fibres of the carpet. Instead, use a gentle but firm dabbing motion. Once the majority of the spill is cleared, pour cold water onto the spill and repeat the dabbing process. This helps to dilute the coffee, making it less likely to leave a nasty stain.

The next step is to use some form of removing agent. While there are pre-made products available from home cleaning companies, it is also possible to make a DIY version. To make a home-brew stain remover, mix together a tablespoon of white vinegar and a tablespoon of liquid dish soap into two cups of warm water.

Baking soda can also be used here instead of a stain remover. Sprinkle some on the stained area and leave it until the liquid has dried. Then, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the excess baking soda.

For stains involving coffee sweetened with sugar or cream, use a bowl to mix one capful of laundry detergent into a cup of warm water. With a fresh cloth, apply this mix onto the stain, dabbing gently. The enzymes in the detergent break down that sticky sugar, making it easier to remove the stain.

Apply the mixture to a clean cloth and dab at the stain again, starting at the edge and moving towards the centre as before. After the stain is thoroughly covered, take a dry piece of kitchen towel and dab the area until the stain is gone.

To be totally sure that the stain is removed, use another round of cold water on the area and dab out the liquid with a cloth, then leave the carpet to dry. That's how to get coffee stains out of the carpet.

Cleaning old coffee stains from carpet

Now, let's tackle that old, nagging coffee stain we've left hidden under the coffee table. The first step is to use warm water to try and dislodge the dried stain. Then, dab at the stain with a clean cloth, trying to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. Again, avoid rubbing and instead work from the outer edge in towards the middle. Repeat this process until coffee stops appearing on the cloth.

Use clean water to attempt to dilute the stain, and dab again. Use the DIY stain remover mentioned earlier or a similar shop-bought solution and dab onto the stain. Baking soda can also be used, as mentioned above. After covering the whole patch, mop up the liquid with a paper towel. Then, use another final rinse of cold water and dab it out with a fresh cloth.

How to get coffee stains out of carpet using hydrogen peroxide

Will peroxide remove coffee stains from the carpet? Yes, if used correctly. A 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide is one of the best methods to get coffee stains out of carpet. First, test the solution on a small area of carpet to check that the bleach won't affect the colour.

Once satisfied, the peroxide won't discolour the carpet, dab the coffee stain with a clean cloth to remove as much liquid as possible. Then spray the stain with a generous amount of peroxide, but don't completely soak the carpet.

Then, lay a damp, thin towel on the area. A tea towel should do the trick. Next, press a hot iron over the towel in intervals of between 20 and 30 seconds. As the stain lifts off, move the iron over other areas of the towel. Don't damage the carpet by leaving the iron on for too long.

After the stain has been removed, wash out any remaining peroxide by dabbing warm water over the patch. Use a fresh clean cloth to remove any remaining moisture from between the carpet fibres.

These are some tried and tested methods of how to get coffee stains out of carpet.

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