There are few things harder to shift from your carpet than coffee stains (red wine being one of them). And often times, not knowing how to clean this kind of stain correctly can actually make it worse. People tend to panic, and start to swipe away the liquid, which only serves to spread the stain and push it deeper in. However, as long as the stain is fresh, there are some things you can do to get rid of these stains.
Blot, Don’t Swipe!
If you are lucky enough to catch a stain early, grab some towels, and blot away as much liquid as you can. Gentle patting at the stain won’t spread the stain out further, and won’t push it deeper in. As soon as you have done this, it’s time for a little home chemistry! You’ll just need a few items.
Prepare Your Solution:
Having spoken to the experts at livermore carpet cleaners most trusted cleaning firm, 580 Carpet Cleaning, it is confirmed that those harsh cleaning chemicals you find in stores often does more damage to your carpets than good. Instead, try this out. All you need is a quarter cup of vinegar, 3 quarters of a cup of water, and some dish soap, only just a few drops. Mix these well, and soak a cloth in this solution. Wring out the cloth so it is still wet, but not absolutely saturated. Then, simply lay on the stain, and grab your next item.
Your Secret Weapon!
All you need to do next is grab your iron. Turn it on, allow it to reach full temperature, and apply it to the wet cloth over the stain. Move it around, so the whole of the affected area receives heat. What’s happening is, the dish soap and vinegar is breaking down that stain, and deodorizing, while the water creates steam in conjunction with the iron. The net effect is, the stain lifts from the carpet, and into the wet cloth you placed over the coffee stain. You may need to repeat this with more than one cloth, but you will be amazed at how well this works.
There you have it – cheap, effective, and all achieved with items you already have in your home. Next time you get a bad stain, try this method out!