How to Remove Tea Stains From Carpet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Say goodbye to unsightly tea stains with these steps on how to remove tea stains from carpet!

Carpets are a great way to spruce up the interior of your home – but keeping them clean 24/7 might just be a full-time job. Accidental spills can happen anytime, anywhere, especially if you’re a tea lover! 

So, if you’re looking for ways to remove tea stains from carpets, we’re here to help. We’ll give you the rundown on why tea stains need to be tackled ASAP, the supplies you’ll need to do the job, and several ways to remove tea stains yourself. 

This way, when someone “spills the tea” in the most literal sense of the word, you already know how to remedy the situation!

Jump to:

• Why Do You Need to Take Care of Tea Spills Right Away?
• What Do You Need to Remove Tea Stains From Carpet? 
• Step-by-Step Instructions for Tea Stain Removal
• Use these Foolproof Ways to Get Tea Stains Out of a Carpet ASAP

Why Do You Need to Take Care of Tea Spills Right Away?

Many of us drink tea when we want to relax and energize ourselves. However, when you accidentally spill tea on the carpet, it’s a different story. 

While you might think a little spill here or there might be harmless, the truth is far from it! All types of tea, whether white, black, green, or oolong, contain tannins or tannic acid.

They belong to a chemical compound called polyphenols and are responsible for giving tea its color. Some say that black tea contains the most amount of tannins, while green tea has the least. 

There are many positive benefits to consuming tannins in tea, such as their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, they’re also known to stain the items you regularly use for tea, such as your cups, teapots, and even spoons.

And if tea is spilled on your carpet, it can easily leave a brown-looking stain on the fabric, too!  

The tannins can color the fibers of your carpet, making them look unsightly, especially if they’re light in color. The darker the tea, the more tannins it has, which would make the stain it leaves behind all the more noticeable.

So, if you’ve spilled green tea, iced tea, or black tea, then you need to act fast and do some carpet cleaning. This can mean the difference between saving your carpet or saying goodbye to it!

What Do You Need to Remove Tea Stains From Carpet? 

Fortunately, the most effective cleaning solutions to tackle the problem head-on are probably already sitting in your pantry!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Tea Stain Removal

1. Baking Soda and White Vinegar Method

Baking soda is always a great household item to have in your pantry. It’s so useful for many things outside of cooking that you can even replace most of your household cleaners with it!

When combined with white vinegar, another powerful household item for cleaning, you’ll have an effective spot removal solution that’s cheap and easy to use!

You will need:

• Water
• Spoon
• Paper Towel
• 2 pieces of Absorbent Cloth (damp and dry)
• Baking Soda
• Distilled White Vinegar

Here’s how to remove stains with baking soda and white vinegar:

1. In a jar or a small bowl, mix ½ cup of cold water with ½ cup of distilled white vinegar. Remember the ratio of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water if you need to double or triple the amount to clean a bigger area.
2. Next, in a separate bowl, mix about 1 tablespoon of vinegar with 3 tablespoons of baking soda to make a creamy paste. You can double or triple these amounts if needed.
3. Using a spoon, apply the cleaning paste onto the stain, covering all the affected areas. Do not rub the mixture in.
4. Let it sit for about 1 to 3 minutes.
5. Then, gently press the paste deeper into the carpet using a damp cloth. This is to make sure you saturate the stained area. Avoid scrubbing or grinding the paste into the carpet, as doing so might push the stain further into the fibers. 
6. Next, use a paper towel or another cloth to remove excess paste. 
7. Then, apply the water and vinegar solution to the area with the paste. You will get a fizzing reaction from the vinegar interacting with the baking soda.  
8. Use a dry cloth or towel to blot the vinegar and the stain.
9. Keep applying the vinegar and water solution and blotting the area until the stain is gone. If necessary, you can also add more paste to continue getting a fizzing reaction. 
10. Once the carpet is cleared of stains, you can rinse the area by pouring some water onto the carpet and then pressing a dry cloth or towel to soak up excess moisture. This will help get rid of any baking soda or vinegar residue from the carpet fibers.
11. Allow the treated area to air dry.
12. Lastly, vacuum the carpet thoroughly. 

2. Salt Method

Alongside baking soda and vinegar, salt is another inexpensive, readily available household staple that can be used as an effective homemade cleaner. 

You will need:

• Water
• Absorbent Cloth or Paper Towel
• Salt 
• Club Soda

Here’s how to use salt as a tea spill remover:

1. Soak up as much spilled tea as possible from the carpet using absorbent cloths or paper towels.   
2. Next, apply a generous amount of salt to the stain. This will allow the salt to absorb any remaining tea from the carpet. 
3. Add some club soda to the stained area.
4. Rinse the area by spraying it with water.
5. Use a towel or cloth to blot the area dry. 
6. If the stain is still visible, repeat the process until it’s gone. 

3. Vinegar and Dish Detergent Method

Another way you can deal with tea stains is by using a combination of vinegar and dish soap!

You will need:

• Water
• Clean Cloth
• Distilled White Vinegar
• Dish Detergent
• Vacuum cleaner

Here are the ways to remove it:

1. In a container, mix equal parts vinegar and dish soap. You can start with about 1 tablespoon of each ingredient. 
2. Add cold water to the container. For every tablespoon of the vinegar and dish soap solution, you’ll need about 2 cups of water. 
3. Dip a portion of a clean cloth into the solution, and then gently blot the stain to saturate it. 
4. Blot the area to remove any excess liquid using the dry portion of the cloth.
5. Repeat the process until the stain is no longer visible. You may also change the cloth to ensure the stain doesn’t spread. 
6. Rinse the area free of dish soap and vinegar by spraying it with cold water.
7. Soak any excess water using a dry cloth.
8. Air-dry the carpet.
9. Vacuum the area to finish cleaning. 

4. Carpet Stain Remover Method 

Lastly, you can also use commercially available cleaning products for carpets to treat tea stains if you prefer them over home remedies. If you have kids and pets around, however, look for those that are safe to use around them. 

You will need:

• Water
• Clean Cloth
• Carpet Stain Remover
• Vacuum cleaner

When using these products, make sure to follow the instructions carefully. Typically, you will need to:

1. Use a clean cloth to soak up as much spilled tea as you can. 
2. Continue doing so until the area seems dry.
3. Next, add some water to the tea stain. The water will dilute the tea, which you can soak using the cloth.   
4. Repeat the process until the cloth comes away clean instead of tea-stained.
5. Then, apply the carpet stain remover as directed.
6. Allow the carpet to air dry.
7. Vacuum the area to finish up cleaning. 

FAQs

Use these Foolproof Ways to Get Tea Stains Out of a Carpet ASAP

Banishing tea stains from your carpet is achievable and can be done with readily available household items and a little persistence. By following the methods above, you can enjoy the satisfaction of restoring your carpet to its original glory!

Remember to act swiftly, choose the appropriate cleaning solution, and test in small areas before applying on the stain. With these tips, you’ll remove tea stains effectively and ensure the longevity and cleanliness of your carpets!