How to Get Tea Stain Out of Carpet

A warm cup of tea is the perfect way to unwind after a long day. But nothing ruins tea time like an accidental spill on the carpet, leaving those unsightly stains that can be quite a hassle.

That’s where this helpful guide comes in handy! Today, our professional carpet cleaners will share with you how to remove tea stains from the carpet and get it looking good as new. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Table of Contents

Step 1: Blot as Much Liquid as Possible

The first step to removing a tea stain from a carpet is to blot up as much liquid spilt as possible. This prevents the tea spill from spreading deep into the carpet, which creates hard, stubborn stains after drying.

Quick action is essential here because tea contains tannic acid, used in tanning leathers for its pigment-fixing properties when dried.

Step 2: Choose a Suitable Cleaning Solution

The next step is to choose a suitable cleaning solution. There are a few different solutions to use here, but luckily, most are household and readily available items. Here’s a quick look at each one and how it works.

Carpet Stain Remover

The first and simplest method to use here is carpet stain removers. These commercial cleaners are specifically designed for carpet fabrics, allowing them to remove stains efficiently without damaging the carpet fabric.

The removers contain various ingredients that break down the bonds between stains and carpet fabric, making them easy to wipe away.

Remember that some stain removers need diluting for tea stains, so you have to read the instructions on your product.

Soap

Whether it’s dish soap or regular soap bars, a soapy water solution can be quite effective in removing tea stains in carpets.

To create a mild solution, mix one part of soap with ten parts of clean water, then stir to combine.

Make sure that you use cold or lukewarm water to prevent the tea stain from setting (avoid hot water).

Learn more: How to Remove Turmeric Stains from Carpet

Baking Soda

Besides baking soda’s excellent cleaning powers, it’s also an effective moisture-absorbing agent that can soak up tea stains, making them easy to remove.

You can sprinkle baking soda over the stain, let it sit for 10 to 30 minutes, and vacuum it.

Alternatively, combine it with white vinegar or water to form a cleaning paste and apply it directly over the stain.

White Vinegar

White vinegar can work alone as an effective stain remover, as you only need to dilute it with one part of water for every part of vinegar.

To make the baking soda/vinegar paste, add baking soda to vinegar in a ratio of 3:1 and adjust it to form a spreadable paste. Apply the paste over the stain for 10 minutes, then rinse it away.

Salt and Club Soda

Salt and club soda work the same way as baking soda and white vinegar, but they’re milder, making them suitable for more delicate carpets.

You can leave the salt/club soda paste on the carpet for longer, but avoid rubbing it deep into the carpet fabric.

Borax

Borax can also efficiently clean carpet stains. To do so, simply sprinkle some borax powder on the stained area and cover it with a wet, clean fabric.

You can then gently press the damp fabric into the carpet or use a spoon and leave it for 5 to 10 minutes. After that, remove the towel and rinse the carpet to remove the stain completely.

Learn more: Remove Coffee Stain of Carpet

Step 3: Test the Cleaner On a Hidden Spot

While many previously mentioned methods are quite gentle on most carpets, you should still ensure it won’t damage yours.

To do that, you must test it on an inconspicuous part of the carpet and check for any undesired changes within 10 minutes.

Step 4: Apply the Cleaning Solution(s)

After blotting the stain and testing the cleaning choice, apply it directly to the stain.

Ideally, you should start with the simplest method from the cleaners above. Yet, you can also combine various methods to get better results if you’re working with a stubborn stain.

Avoid using brushes or scrubbing tools to clean the stain, as they might damage the fabric. Instead, use a clean microfiber towel to remove the stain gently.

Step 5: Check the Carpet Padding

While it may not look like it, tea can leave heavy stains that reappear after a while, especially in the case of a padded carpet. This is because the pigments in the tea might seep into the carpet backing.

A telltale sign that the padding is stained is checking the bottom of the carpet for obvious tea stains.

In that case, the best solution is to clean the carpet or have the padding changed professionally, but you can also try cleaning the carpet from both sides.

Step 6: Rinse the Cleaning Solution from the Affected Area

After cleaning the stain, you must remove the cleaning solution from the carpet. You can do this by rinsing the affected area through dabbing.

Dip a clean towel in water and apply it on the carpet to wash off the cleaning solution, and repeat as necessary until the towel comes away clean.

Step 7: Blot Dry the Carpet

You can let the carpet air dry away from direct sunlight, but for the best results, you should first try to absorb as much water as possible.

You can achieve this by pressing dry paper towels onto the wet area to soak up as much moisture as possible, then letting the carpet air dry.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! A brief guide that shows you how to properly remove tea stains from carpets using a variety of reliable methods.

Remember always to blot the stain as quickly as possible and avoid walking on the cleaned wet area of the carpet until it dries up completely.

Step 1: Blot as Much Liquid as Possible