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.

Press new clean sections of the cloth onto the stain until no more coffee transfers to the cloth.

remove coffee stains from carpet

The Spruce / Ashley Nicole DeLeon

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.

a bottle of Oxi Clean Carpet Stain Remover sitting on a rug with a Spruce Approved badge stamped on the image

Add Cold Water

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.

The method is similar to the vinegar and dish soap process.

ingredients for coffee stain removal

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Blot Up Liquid

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

Repeat as needed until the stain lifts.

Blot Stain

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

person blotting up coffee stain on carpet

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

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.

Make a DIY carpet stain remover using vinegar and dish soap, then sprinkle with baking soda.

person pouring cold water on carpet stain

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Allow it to air dry, then vacuum.

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.

person applying stain remover to carpet

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

The best option for dried stains is to use a vinegar, dish soap, and baking soda combination.

Try cold water first.

If that isn’t strong enough, other options include beer and toothpaste.

person vacuuming a rug

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Blotting up liquid with a damp cloth

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Mixing a cleaning solution

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Blotting the hydrogen peroxide solution onto the stained area

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Rinsing the area with a new cloth

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Vacuuming up the carpet fibers

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Using a clean cloth to blot up the stain

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Applying the cleaning solution

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Checking the stain and repeating the steps

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala