Pure coffee has a pH of 5 - 5.5 (slightly acidic). When cream is added, the pH rises to about 7 (neutral). The hotter the coffee was when spilled and the longer it is left on the carpet, the more difficult it is to remove the coffee stain. Also, if it is in the sub-floor and pad, simple cleaning will simply result in the spot wicking back.
- Have customer absorb the majority of the spill immediately and leave a weighted moist towel on the spill overnight. This will greatly improve the likelihood of removal when you get there.
- If the spill was extremely heavy, Water Claw® Surface Spot Lifter to more thoroughly flush out the spill.
- Mix Pro-Zyme Heavy Soil & Grease Digester by Pro’s Choice according to directions on bottle.
- Apply solution to stained fibers to thoroughly wet fibers.
- Gently but thoroughly agitate fibers to break up and emulsify deposit. Dwell time will help the biochemistry work for you here.
- Thoroughly rinse via water extraction leaving carpet as dry as possible (do not use an acid rinsing agent here).
- If stain remains, apply Stain Magic® Stain Remover for Organic and Natural Stains to the discolored fibers with trigger sprayer and gently agitate.
- Stain should disappear in 1 to 8 hours depending on severity.
- To speed stain removal, especially with old stains, use the Stain Magic Energizer & Detection Light with Stain Magic or cover the spot with plastic overnight to slow down evaporation of the Stain Magic.
- For heavy spills, follow with Stain Blotter to absorb any further coffee that wicks to the surface. The customer can vacuum up the Stain Blotter the next day.
- If the spill covers a large area, instead of Stain Blotter, treat with ARA Anti-Resoiling / Anti-Wicking Agent to keep the stain from coming back.
Related Spotting Information and Articles:
- Carpet Spot & Stain Removers
- Reappearing Spots & Stains
- Soil Filtration Lines
- Spot and Stain Removal General Tips
- Spotting Guides for Carpets and Rugs
- Wicking