To many people, the smell of old coffee is pungent and unpleasant. Even after you’ve thoroughly cleaned out the spilled coffee from your rug, the smell may linger like a second shadow. So how do you get the coffee smell out of the carpet?
Glad you asked! In this article, we’ll go over several ways you can get the coffee odor out of carpet depending on how strong the smell is.
Luckily, there are several ways on how to get the coffee smell out of the carpet permanently, or at least until your next coffee accident! You don’t need overly expensive products to remove the stains and smells; as long as you have vinegar and baking soda, you’re good to go. If you’re looking for how to get coffee stains off of car seats, check out our article on that too.
Let’s get started!
Removing Fresh Coffee Stain and Smell Out of Carpet
Like it or not, coffee spills complicate with time. If the stain is still fresh, it’ll be a lot easier to remove it without leaving a permanent scent.
If the stain is older than two hours, save your precious time and skip to the next section.
Step 1: Blot the Moisture
Immediately blot the moisture with a cloth or paper towel. Allow the material to absorb the spilled coffee as much as possible. Don’t scrub or rub the cloth over the spill, or else the stain will spread further onto the carpet.
Once your towel is all filled up, grab a new one and continue to dab it on your carpet until most of the liquid is gone.
Step 2: Dilute the Stain
Once your cloth or paper towel has absorbed most of the spilled coffee, get about half a glass of cold water and pour a small amount directly onto the stain. This will dilute the coffee so it won’t leave a dark stain.
Using a fresh cloth or paper towel, try to soak up as much water as possible until it’s completely dry. You may need to repeat this process more than four or five times.
Step 3: Add Stain Remover
There are two ways to remove the stain from freshly spilled coffee: either by using a commercially made stain remover or homemade cleaner.
Commercially-made stain removers excel in removing hard stains since they’re specifically made for that purpose. And because they smell good, they’ll remove not only the coffee stain but also the smell that comes with it.
Author Note: The only downside to these products is the expensive price tag. Plus, not all of us have one readily available for accidental spills.
The alternative solution is to use a homemade remover consisting of one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of warm water. Stir this mixture thoroughly until it becomes smooth. And then transfer the mixture into a spray bottle to facilitate its use.
If you have a pet, you can also use the enzyme mixtures that eliminate pet odors and stains. My personal favorite is Biokleen Bac Out – works amazingly to remove any stains and odors.
Step 4: Clean the Stain
Once you’ve chosen your preferred stain remover, spray the product onto the stain while making sure to cover all the edges. Then, using a clean towel, blot the stain from the edges, and move inward. If you’re not using a spray bottle, dip the cloth into the mixture as needed.
With time, the stain should gradually fade away. Once you’re satisfied with the final result, blot the area with a dry towel to remove the remnants of the cleaner.
If you’re using a commercial stain remover, follow the instructions written on the package.
Step 5: Dry the Carpet
Rinse the stain remover off the carpet with clean, cool water, and allow it to dry completely. Make sure to avoid walking over the area until the spot has completely dried out. Turn on the ceiling fan to accelerate the process.
Once dry, follow up with a vacuum cleaner or a hairbrush to restore the carpet’s texture.
Removing Dry Coffee Stain and Smell Out of Carpet
Some of us don’t have time to clean a coffee spill right away, especially if we’re already late for work. After all, removing these stains takes a considerable amount of time.
Understandably, dry coffee stains are more stubborn than fresh stains. Therefore, you need to go with a tougher approach.
Step 1: Dampen the Stain
Lightly wet the stain with warm water to soften it. Only a small amount will do, no more than half a cup or so, depending on how big the stain is. Allow it to sit for five minutes.
Once done, grab a clean cloth and begin to soak up the liquid. And as we said earlier, don’t rub or scrub the stain to avoid spreading it further.
Author Note: If the stain comes out, you can follow the 3rd, 4th, and 5th steps above. If it’s a bit more stubborn, proceed to the second step.
Step 2: Remove the Stain
To remove tough coffee stains, you’ll first need to identify your carpet’s type.
Wool Carpets
If you own wool or wool-blend carpet, mix three drops of dish soap into a cup of water. Then, grab a cloth, soak it in the solution, and gently blot the stain.
Ideally, you should start from the edges and make your way towards the center to prevent the stain from spreading. Let it sit for about five minutes before grabbing a new, dry cloth to soak up all the liquids.
Non-Wool Carpets
For non-wool carpets, mix one tablespoon of ammonia or hydrogen peroxide with one cup of water. Keep in mind that these solutions may damage certain carpets, especially the ones made of wool or synthetic fibers. Also, be sure to keep pets and children away from any toxic chemicals.
So, to avoid carpet degradation, find a hidden corner of your carpet, and do a patch test. Apply the mixture in a small testing area and wait for 20 minutes. If there’s no visible damage or reaction, you’re good to go.
Gently wet the stain with the solution and leave it to soak for three to five minutes. Then, blot it using a clean towel.
Alternatively, you can create a paste using one part baking soda with one part water. Work the paste you’ve created onto the stain, mist with water, and blot the excess with a clean towel.
Baking soda is completely safe and non-toxic. Although many people think it dims the carpet’s color, it only does so when mixed with an acidic solution. It isn’t as effective as the ammonia solution, but it’ll get the job done.
Step 3: Dry the Carpet
Once the solution you’ve used is completely removed from your carpet, leave it to dry thoroughly. Keep people off the area until it’s completely dry to avoid dirt and other stains from ruining your work. Open your window, ceiling fan, or tabletop fan to assist with the drying process.
Removing Coffee Smell Out of a Carpet Without a Stain
If you had already removed the coffee stain from your carpet a few days ago, but the coffee smell still lingers, don’t worry! As long as you have a box of baking soda to hand, you’ll be able to chase the smell away with no problem.
Author Note: Alongside serving as a scrubbing agent to help remove stains, baking soda naturally absorbs coffee odors by neutralizing the smell trapped in the carpet. Best of all, baking soda doesn’t leave a stain on its own, so you can rest assured knowing it’s safe to use on all types of carpets.
Here are five steps to follow to remove the smell of coffee from dried carpets:
- Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda onto the affected area.
- Use your hand to spread it out if it clumps in spots.
- If you have a box of borax lying around, mix one-part baking soda with one part Borax. You can add a few drops of essential oil if you want your carpet scented.
- Depending on the severity of the coffee smell, you may want to leave it between several hours to a full 24 hours. During this time, make sure to keep your pets and children away from the affected area.
- Vacuum up the baking soda. Hopefully, the smell of coffee will vanish almost entirely.
Again, I’ve had great success with Biokleen Bac Out – it’s easy and convenient especially if you have a bottle or two on hand.
Unusual Carpet Cleaners That Are Surprisingly Effective
There are many other methods to remove carpet stains or smells, some of which may even be surprising! Here are some other fool-proof methods you can try.
Club Soda
Club soda is commonly used to remove beer and wine stains from carpeting. Simply blot the affected area with plain club soda and blot it with a clean cloth. If the stain starts to fade away, repeat the process again until you get a satisfying result.
Shaving Cream
Shaving cream removes stain because it’s essentially whipped soap. It acts similar to dish soap, which is proven to effectively clean stains. Apply a generous amount of shaving cream onto the affected area, leave it for 30 minutes, and wipe it clean.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a dependable antimicrobial substance that can also soften hard stains. Mix one part coconut oil with one part baking soda, and let the mixture sit on the carpet for a few minutes before wiping it away.
Final Thoughts
Accidental coffee spills are an inevitable part of life, especially if you’re a frequent coffee drinker. Luckily, getting coffee stains and odors out of your carpet is as simple as A-B-C.
Better yet, you don’t need fancy cleaning products or tools to clean your carpet. As long as you have vinegar and baking soda, you’ll get that smell right out. Good luck!
Stay caffeinated friends!