How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpets: 3 Easy Methods

Remove coffee stains with vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 3 hrs, 15 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5 to $10

Get coffee stains out of carpets—even old, dried set-in stains—in a few simple steps. You can use common household items like vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide to remove the tannins that leave dark coffee stains and sticky milk and cream residue on carpets.

Carpet coffee stains lift up best if you work quickly after the spill and blot up as much liquid as possible. Never scrub the stain; it can damage the carpet. Also, do not overwet the carpet since it could penetrate the under-carpet layer and promote mold growth.

Follow these instructions using everyday household items to remove the dark tannins or dairy proteins that make coffee stains tricky—but not impossible—to remove.

remove coffee stains from carpet

The Spruce / Ashley Nicole DeLeon

Stain type Tannin-based, protein-based (milk or cream)
Detergent type Vinegar, dish soap
Water temperature Warm, cool

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Clean white cloths
  • Small container
  • Measuring utensils
  • Spoon
  • Vacuum

Materials

  • White vinegar
  • Dish soap
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Baking soda

Instructions

ingredients for coffee stain removal

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

How to Remove Coffee Stains From Carpet With Vinegar

  1. Blot Up the Coffee

    Blot up as much coffee as possible using a clean white cloth. Press new clean sections of the cloth onto the stain until no more coffee transfers to the cloth. Always work from the outside of the stain to the middle to prevent spreading it.

    Warning

    Do not scrub the carpet, which can damage the fibers and work in the stain. Instead, use a blotting or pressing motion without any back-and-forth movements.

    person blotting up coffee stain on carpet
    The Spruce / Ana Cadena 
  2. Add Cold Water

    • Pour a small amount of cold water onto the coffee stain to dilute it.
    • Blot up all of the liquid using a new, clean white cloth.
    • If handling a more significant spill, repeat this process at least twice. Move on once little to no coffee transfers to the cloth.

    Tip

    Don't oversaturate the carpet. You are trying to dilute the coffee but should be able to soak up the moisture with a cloth.

    person pouring cold water on carpet stain
    The Spruce / Ana Cadena
  3. Apply a DIY Carpet Stain Remover

    • Mix 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 1 tablespoon dish soap with 2 cups of warm water in a small container or bowl and stir well with a spoon.
    • Dip a clean white cloth into the mixture and blot it onto the coffee stain, working from the edges toward the center.
    • Continue to rewet the cloth with the DIY stain remover as needed, again taking care not to oversaturate the carpet. Work until you've fully lifted the stain.
    person applying stain remover to carpet
    The Spruce / Ana Cadena
  4. Rinse and Dry

    • Using a fresh cloth, blot on some plain cool water to rinse the stain remover from the carpet.
    • Then, using a dry cloth, blot the area until the carpet fibers are as dry as possible.
    person blotting up coffee stain on carpet

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena 

  5. Air-Dry and Vacuum

    • Let the carpet air-dry completely.
    • Vacuum to lift any matted carpet fibers.
    person vacuuming a rug

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

How to Remove Coffee Stains Out of Carpet With Hydrogen Peroxide

You can also use hydrogen peroxide to remove coffee stains on the carpet. The method is similar to the vinegar and dish soap process.

  1. Blot Up Liquid

    Blot up as much liquid as possible with a clean white cloth.

    Blotting up liquid with a damp cloth

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

  2. Mix Cleaning Solution

    Mix 1 cup hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 teaspoon dish soap and stir well with a spoon.

    Mixing a cleaning solution

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

  3. Apply the Cleaning Solution

    • Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and blot the DIY hydrogen peroxide cleaner on the carpet or upholstery.
    • Allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes.

    Tips

    Test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area first, as it might affect dyes on some carpets. Repeat as needed until the stain lifts.

    Blotting the hydrogen peroxide solution onto the stained area

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

  4. Rinse the Stained Area

    • Rinse the spot with a clean cloth dipped in plain water. Rinse well since any residue left behind will attract soil.
    • Blot dry with a clean cloth.
    Rinsing the area with a new cloth

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

  5. Air-Dry and Vacuum

    • Allow the carpet to air-dry completely.
    • Vacuum to lift up the carpet's fibers.
    Vacuuming up the carpet fibers

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

How to Remove Coffee Stains From Carpet With Baking Soda

Baking soda also works on getting coffee stains out of the carpet.

  1. Blot Stain

    Blot up as much of the stain as possible with a clean dry cloth.

    Using a clean cloth to blot up the stain

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

  2. Mix Cleaning Paste

    • Mix three parts water to one part baking soda to form a paste.
    • Stir the mixture well with a spoon.
    • Blot the paste onto the carpet with a clean white cloth. Allow it to sit on the stain for 20 minutes. 
    • Vacuum up the dried paste.
    Applying the cleaning solution

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

  3. Check the Stain

    Check the stain and repeat the steps if the stain remains.

    Checking the stain and repeating the steps

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

How to Remove Old Coffee Stains

Old coffee stains don't have to be permanent. Use vinegar and baking soda to remove the carpet's old and dried coffee stains.

  • Blot the area with a white cloth dipped in warm water to help loosen the coffee. 
  • Treat the stain using the vinegar-dish soap DIY carpet cleaner (instructions above). Blot and repeat with the cleaner until the stain lifts.
  • Sprinkle baking soda over the area as the carpet air-dries. 
  • Once the carpet is dry, vacuum up the baking soda.

Additional Tips for Handling Coffee Stains

  • Removing cream-based stains: An enzymatic cleaner or detergent is one of the best carpet cleaners for coffee stains with cream. The enzymes will break down the protein in the cream and prevent unpleasant odors. Rinse the carpet and blot it dry before moving on to any other stain removal methods.
  • Handling shag carpet: Be prepared for a little extra work if you have shag carpet. The longer the carpet fiber, the more difficult stain removal can be. For longer fibers, blot thoroughly and limit the amount of liquid you put into the carpet. Use a fan to dry the carpet completely.
  • Check for colorfastness: Test any cleaning solution or stain remover on a hidden spot on your carpet to ensure it doesn't damage the color. You can also ask carpet manufacturers for recommendations.
  • Cleaning wool rugs and carpets: Coffee stains on wool rugs and wool blend carpets often require different care. Make a cleaning solution from three drops of mild dish soap with 1 cup of cold water. Sponge this solution onto the carpet. Alternate blotting with a clean white cloth dipped in plain water and a dry cloth. Let the carpet dry fully, and then vacuum to lift the fibers.
FAQ
  • What is the best way to get rid of old coffee stains?

    The cleaning combination of vinegar and baking soda is a natural and powerful way to remove coffee stains without damaging the carpet. Make a DIY carpet stain remover using vinegar and dish soap, then sprinkle with baking soda. Allow it to air dry, then vacuum.

  • Does coffee stain permanently?

    Coffee can stain permanently if you don't treat it. Act fast to remove the stain; the longer you wait, the harder it is to remove. The best option for dried stains is to use a vinegar, dish soap, and baking soda combination.

  • Besides vinegar, peroxide, and baking soda, what other household items can clean coffee stains on carpet?

    Try cold water first. Blot and repeat. If that isn't strong enough, other options include beer and toothpaste. The acid in a light-colored beer can break up tannins, while white toothpaste is strong enough to clean coffee stains on the enamel of teeth and carpets.