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How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet Step-By-Step

Updated Sep 30, 2025 by eufy team| min read
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min read

According to Lavazza Professional, 63% of the UK population regularly drinks coffee. That's why there are numerous accidents involving coffee spills.

The tannins in coffee cling to carpet fibers, leaving behind a brownish-yellow stain. As soon as your carpet gets stained, it will ruin its appearance and aesthetics. You may also feel a lingering odor or mold growth if this stain is not treated correctly.

However, you may be surprised to learn that a few household ingredients can remove coffee stains quickly with the right approach. We'll show you how to get coffee stains out of the carpet step by step. Let’s start!

Part 1. Common DIY Method to Remove Fresh Coffee Stains from Carpet

You can easily remove fresh coffee stains from a carpet by blotting with a clean cloth, applying a cleaning solution, and rinsing with cold water. However, the deep and old stains require some extra steps.

Let's first show you the required tools and how to create the correct solution for removing coffee stain out of carpet.

Required Tools:

  • Clean white clothes or towels.
  • Spray bottle.
  • Bowl or cup.
  • Measuring spoons.
  • Old toothbrush or soft-bristled brush.
  • Rubber gloves (optional).

Common Homemade Solutions:

  1. Using Vinegar:Mix one tablespoon of dishwashing soap with one tablespoon of white vinegar. Add 2 cups of warm water. You can use this solution to remove both fresh and old coffee stains from your carpet.
  2. Using Hydrogen Peroxide:Add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide to a bowl and mix it with ½ teaspoon of dishwashing soap. This solution works best for stubborn coffee stains.
  3. Using Baking Soda:Add one tablespoon of baking soda to a cup and mix it with three tablespoons of warm water. Stir it well until a paste forms.

materials used for making homemade cleaning solutions

Steps to Remove Simple Coffee Stains

  1. Blot the Stain Immediately

Use a clean, dry cloth and gently press it onto the stain. You can also use a paper towel for this purpose. Start from the outside of the stain and work inwards.

Don't scrub the cloth on the stain. The cloth will soak up most of the fresh coffee stain. Change the cloth when its color has changed. When the stain no longer comes out, pour a tablespoon of clean water over the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the stain to soften, then repeat the process 2-3 times.

blot the stain with high pressure

  1. Apply the Solution to the Stained Area

Dip a clean cloth in the cleaning solution and test it in a hidden area of your carpet to ensure it is effective. See if the solution damages or discolors your carpet.

If your carpet is fine, gently blot the solution on the stain. You can also apply the solution with a spray bottle.

apply the cleaning solution

  1. Let It Sit and Break Down the Stain

The solution will automatically break down the stain. Leave it alone for 10-15 minutes. You can also gently brush it with a toothbrush. However, ensure that you use a soft-bristle brush so you don't damage the carpet fibres.

  1. Blot and Rinse the Area

Retake a dry cloth and blot the lifted stain with gentle pressure. Take a bowl of clean water and soak a cloth in it. Use this cloth to rinse the stained area and then blot it dry gently. Repeat this process multiple times.

Put a large bowl or tub beneath the carpet right under the stained area. Now, rinse the stained area thoroughly with clean water.

  1. Dry the Carpet Properly

Take a clean towel and press it down on the wet area with heavy pressure. It will soak up most of the moisture from the carpet.

Always air-dry the carpet afterwards. Ironing, whether directly or indirectly, can damage the carpet fibers. You can start a fan nearby or open your windows to decrease the drying time.

  1. Care Guide after Coffee Stain Removal

Rinse the carpet thoroughly with clean water to remove any residual solution. After that, dry the carpet thoroughly to avoid any mold growth. Then use a carpet freshener to neutralize the lingering odor.

If the odor persists, sprinkle some baking soda and let it sit for a few hours. Vacuum the carpet, then remove the baking soda and lift the carpet fibres.

vacuum the carpet after removing the stain

Steps to Remove Deep or Old Coffee Stains

You need to blot the excess stain, then apply a solution to it. Then bloat it again and rinse the solution. Dry your carpet only when the stain has been completely removed.

However, you have to keep some specific tips in mind:

Step 1: Use a strong cleaning solution for deep or old coffee stains.

  • For DIY cleaning, make a mixture of white vinegar or a paste of baking soda.
  • Use enzyme-based cleaners to remove coffee stains from the rug that contains cream.

Step 2: Add half a teaspoon of bleach to the solution if your carpet is pure white.

Step 3: Apply the cleaning solution and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.

Step 4: Bloat the solution again with a clean cloth and rinse it with plenty of water.

Step 5: Visit the supermarket and purchase a professional carpet cleaner if the above solutions are ineffective.

Step 6: Repeat this process multiple times until the stain is removed.

Part 2. Best Method for Spot Cleaning of Coffee Stains

Manual removal of coffee stains is time-consuming and requires much human effort. It's also ineffective for deep or old coffee stains.

With advances in modern technology, vacuum spot cleaners are now available that significantly reduce the amount of manual effort required.

For example, the eufy E28 Omni vacuum features a detachable spot cleaner. You can use this handheld tool to target the stain specifically, rather than soaking the entire area.

portable spot cleaner of eufy e28

Third-party reviewers, such as Vacuum Wars, claim that the eufy E28’s deep cleaner has higher suction than popular spot cleaners like the Bissell Little Green, and can remove dried coffee and wine stains effectively.

Plus, E28 is one of the most powerful robot vacuum cleaners from eufy. One machine to tackle floor cleaning and spot cleaning at the same time.

Comparison of DIY vs E28 Method

Metric

DIY (soap/vinegar/spray)

E28 Omni Spot Cleaner

Time

10–20 min per stain.

2–5 min: Attach hose, spray, brush, and extract.

Supplies

DIY mix, towels, bowl.

Built-in reservoir & detergent.

Effort

Scrubbing + blotting.

Trigger-and-go.

Result (fresh)

~70–90% stain removal.

~95+% stain removal

Result (old)

Often requires repetition & can fail.

Excellent on dried coffee with pre-treat steps.

Part 3. Common Mistakes to Avoid During Coffee Stain Removal

Many people make mistakes, such as using hot water or rubbing the coffee stain while trying to remove it from the carpet. Most of these mistakes are easily manageable with just a little care. However, they'll ruin the whole cleaning process if you don't focus on them.

Let's have a brief look at these mistakes.

  • Rubbing the Stain:

Rubbing can be effective on hard surfaces, but not here. If you rub a coffee stain while blotting, it will cause the stain to get deeper in the carpet. You are making it hard to remove.

  • Using Hot Water:

Always use cold water when you are rinsing the stain. It's because hot water causes the bonding of tannins with your carpet fibres. Ultimately, it increases the chances of getting a permanent stain.

  • Not Removing the Stain Quickly:

You can remove most of the coffee stains with just blotting if you act quickly. With every passing minute, the tannins bond with the carpet fibres and become more difficult to remove.

  • Using Bleach or Abrasive Cleaners:

Bleach itself can cause discoloration of the carpet. So never use it on any colored rug. On the other hand, abrasive cleaners can damage the fibres and cause the rug to lose its shine.

  • Ignoring the stain:

If you assume that the stain will be removed while washing the carpet, you are wrong. It's always best to pre-treat the coffee stain to remove it completely from the carpet.

Conclusion

Now you know how to get coffee stains out of carpet. The process is simple. Blot the wet stain with a clean cloth. Then prepare a cleaning solution and apply it gently to the stain. After some time, blot the stain again and rinse it thoroughly with clean water. You can now air-dry your carpet.

To increase cleaning efficiency and reduce the required effort, use the eufy E28 Omni Spot Cleaner. It features a detachable spot cleaner that lifts deep stains more quickly than manual methods.

FAQs

Q1. Will Spilled Coffee Leave Permanent Stains on the Carpet?

No, spilled coffee doesn't usually leave a permanent stain. If you remove it early, your carpet will become as new as before the spillage.

However, the tannins in the coffee can bind to the fibers over time. In such cases, you will need to use specialized tools or hire professional cleaning services.

Q2. What is the Best Homemade Solution to Remove Deep Coffee Stains?

The combination of baking soda and vinegar creates an effective homemade solution for removing deep coffee stains. However, try the paste of baking soda and water first. If it doesn't eradicate the stain, add a solution of white vinegar and water to it.

Q3. How Do I Remove Coffee Stains From My Sofa?

First, blot up as much coffee as possible using a clean cloth. You can apply a solution of dish soap and water to break down the stain. Then, blot the solution again after some time.

For optimal results, use a vacuum spot cleaner like the eufy E28 Omni. It's because you can't rinse a stain with water from a sofa. The eufy E28 Omni spot cleaner gently applies water and sucks it up immediately, removing the stain.