Act now, read later. Blot with a clean white cloth from the outside in, never rub. Then cool water, blot again, and repeat. Do not reach for hot water on coffee, because heat sets the tannin.
Chocolate is different: let it harden first, lift the solid off with a blunt edge, then treat the greasy residue. Attacking warm chocolate with a wet cloth spreads it into three times the area.
Coffee and tea with milk, step by step
The stain has two parts: the tannin colour and, if milk was in it, a protein and fat residue that can turn sour later.
- Blot immediately with a dry white cloth, working inwards from the edge.
- Apply cool water sparingly, then blot again. Do not pour.
- Repeat until no more colour transfers to the cloth.
- Weigh a dry cloth pad on the spot to draw remaining moisture out of the pile.
- Never use hot water, it sets tannin. Never use washing up liquid, the residue attracts new soil.
Chocolate, step by step
Patience beats speed here, which is the opposite of most spills.
- Let it set hard, or place a bag of ice above it to speed that up.
- Lift the solid off with a blunt knife or spoon edge.
- Vacuum the crumbs before adding any liquid.
- Blot the remaining grease mark with a barely damp cloth.
- Do not scrub, chocolate grease drives into the fibre under pressure.
When to stop and call someone
Honest advice: fresh coffee on a synthetic carpet is a job you can win yourself, and you should try. Stop if any of the following apply.
- The carpet is wool, viscose or silk, where water marking and browning are real risks.
- The stain is old and has dried, so the tannin has bonded to the fibre.
- A shop bought remover has already been used and left a lighter patch.
- There is a lingering sour smell, which means milk residue has reached the backing.
- The spill is on a rug that is not colourfast, where bleeding will spread the damage.