Removing Pumpkin Spice Latte from Carpet and Upholstery
It’s that time of year again, the one that fall lovers long for as summer comes to a close and many changes are on the horizon. Its pumpkin spice season! That means the ever so loved pumpkin spice latte is available from a variety of different coffee stands, made popular by a well-known coffee giant.
Though we love the day that the sweet, spicy, comforting taste of fall arrives in stores, what we do not love is when our beloved expensive and fancy coffee accidentally spills on the floor, upholstery, or even our clothes. Coffee can be one of the most difficult stains to remove, but it is not impossible with the right technique.
Why Does Coffee Create such a Difficult Stain?
Coffee has a spherical particle shape which causes it to dry differently than other liquids. When coffee is spilled it dries from the outer most edges first and when the outside edges begin to dry, the wet center moves to the edges to restore moisture while carrying solids with it. Thus the dark outer ring when you see a completely dry coffee stain. This clumping of solid particles on the edges makes coffee a stubborn foe.
How to Remove Coffee Stains
You want to clean the stain as soon as it happens if possible. Begin treating the stain by blotting as much of it up with a clean white rag/cloth or paper towel. Soak up as much excess liquid as possible. Next, mix a cleaning solution of a few drops hand dishwashing soap, a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar, and one cup of warm water. Grab a new clean white cloth or plain white paper towel and dip it into the cleaning solution then blot the coffee stain gently working from the outside edges first and in toward the center. Be sure to always blot and never rub, rubbing can ruin the carpet fibers or spread the stain. Dip new areas of clean cloth in the solution and blot until the stain has been completely removed.
If the stain is not completely coming out of the carpet or upholstery, try mixing a new solution of 1 tablespoon enzyme laundry detergent and a cup of water and repeat with the same application method of gently blotting and using clean areas of cloth or towel.
Once the stain has lifted, don’t forget to rinse all the soap from the carpet or upholstery with freshwater and blot with a dry cloth or towel to remove as much liquid as possible and speed drying time.
If you are unable to remove the coffee stain after several tries, it is a good time to call in a professional cleaner for some help.
For upholstery and carpet cleaning in Everett and surrounding areas make an appointment online or over the phone with All Kleen.