How to Remove Tea Stains from Carpet

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

When your tea drips, splashes, or spills, it can leave unsightly marks on your carpet. Fortunately, with a little effort, you can remove those pesky tea stains in just a few minutes! Start by blotting up as much of the tea as possible with a clean, dry cloth. Then, apply your chosen cleaning solution. Once you've removed the stain, rinse the area with cool water. Don't forget to vacuum the carpet when it's dry.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning with White Vinegar and Baking Soda

PDF download Download Article
  1. Place the mixture in a cup or jar and stir it to combine the ingredients. If the stain is very large, double or triple the recipe to fit your needs. Just be sure to use a ratio of 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. [1]

    Warning: Avoid using warm or hot water as it will set the stain rather than remove it.

  2. Add your baking soda to a small glass or plastic bowl. Next, add in your distilled white vinegar, stirring as you pour. For a small to medium area, try 3 tbsp (43 g) of baking soda mixed with 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of vinegar. Mix the ingredients into a paste. [2]
    • Aim for a paste that is not so thick that you can’t spread it into the carpet, but not so runny that it just sinks right in.
    • The 3:1 ratio of baking soda to vinegar is a good place to start, but you may need to modify it slightly to get the perfect consistency.
    Advertisement
  3. Avoid rubbing or grinding the paste into the carpet. Instead, imagine you're spreading peanut butter over bread. Once you’ve covered the stain with a layer of your cleaning paste, let it sit for 1-2 minutes. [3]
  4. Simply dab the carpet with firm but gentle pressure. Don't scrub it in, as this could push the tea stain deeper into the fibers. [4]
  5. Once you feel satisfied that the stained area has been saturated, you can lift away the remaining cleaning paste. Scrape the paste toward the center of the stain. Pinch it up with the towel and discard it as you go. [5]
  6. Add your mixture, a little at a time, to the stain. Use enough to get a fizzing response as the vinegar mixture reacts with the baking soda on the carpet. [6]
  7. As the vinegar fizzes, use a clean cloth to dab the stain and soak up the vinegar and tea. If necessary, add more vinegar and water and keep blotting until the stain is gone and your cloth comes away clean. [7]
    • You can add more paste if you are no longer getting a fizzy reaction.
  8. Pour a little bit of cold water over the carpet. Dab the area with a clean cloth to remove any remaining baking soda residue. Keep pressing a clean, dry cloth into the carpet to soak up as much water as you can. [8]
    • Once the carpet has air-dried, vacuum it thoroughly.
    9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Removing a Stain with Dish Soap and Vinegar

PDF download Download Article
  1. Combine 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of dish detergent, 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of distilled white vinegar, and 2 cups (470 mL) of cold water. Add your ingredients to a plastic or glass container and mix them thoroughly. [9]
    • Stir the mixture until all the elements are fully incorporated.

    Tip: Dissolve the soap in the vinegar first, then add your water.

  2. Dip a corner of the cloth into the cleaning solution. Lightly press the cloth into the carpet to saturate the stained area. Make sure all parts of the stain are covered, including any errant drips. [10]
  3. Blot the stain to soak up the cleaning solution and the tea. Change to a new, dry cloth as necessary to prevent the stain from spreading. [11]
    • Repeat the process until the stain is gone.
  4. Spritz cold water onto the area, then soak it up with a clean cloth. This ensures that all the soap and vinegar get removed from the carpet, leaving it looking brand new. Allow the carpet to air-dry completely, then vacuum the spot.
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Getting Rid of a Stain with Borax

PDF download Download Article
  1. Wet the area with the stain until the carpet is damp but not saturated. Press a damp, clean cloth into the carpet if you don’t have a spray bottle. [12]
    • Remember that it’s important to use cold water because warm or hot water can worsen the stain.
  2. Use a spoon to sprinkle Borax over the surface of the stain. Use enough to thoroughly dust the entire area of the stain, hiding it from view. [13]
    • Borax is found in grocery stores where it is sold in the laundry and household cleaner sections.

    Tip: If you have dark carpet, test the Borax in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn't discolor the carpet.

  3. Wet a fresh cloth in cold water and then wring out the excess so that it is damp but no longer dripping. Place it on top of the stain so that the entire area is covered. [14]
  4. Use your spoon to apply pressure on the wet cloth, pushing it into the stained carpet. Work methodically starting in the middle of the cloth and moving outwards in all directions until you've covered the entire stained area. [15]
  5. Blot the area with a clean cloth to soak up the Borax and tea. Then, use a wet cloth or spray bottle to lightly saturate the carpet in cold water. Dab the spot with a dry cloth until most of the moisture and Borax are gone. [16]
    • Vaccum the carpet once it's completely dry.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Use a white or light-colored cloth when you’re cleaning so that you can see the stain as you remove it. This will also help you avoid accidentally transferring any dye from a colored cloth to your carpet.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Always use cold water on stains as hot or warm water may set the stains, making them even harder to remove.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • You can also try pouring salt and club soda onto the tea stains and let it soak for 1 minute. Then blot the club soda out of the carpet with a clean, dry rag before rinsing it with cold water.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You’ll Need

      Cleaning with White Vinegar and Baking Soda

      • Distilled white vinegar
      • Baking soda
      • Cold water
      • Container for your cleaning solution
      • Metal spoon
      • Clean cloths
      • Vacuum

      Removing a Stain with Dish Soap

      • Liquid dish detergent
      • Distilled white vinegar
      • Cold water
      • Container for your cleaning solution
      • Clean cloths
      • Vacuum

      Getting Rid of a Stain with Borax

      • Cold water
      • Borax
      • Metal spoon
      • Clean cloths
      • Vacuum

      You Might Also Like

      4 Ways to Remove Dog Pee Stains & Smells from Carpet
      How to
      Clean Cat and Dog Puke Out of Your Carpet
      How to
      Clean Human Urine from Carpet
      How to
      Remove Red Wine from Carpet
      How to
      Make a Carpet Cleaning Solution
      The 10 Best Solutions to Get Any Ink Out of Your Carpet
      How To Easily Get Rid of the Smell of Vomit From Your Carpet
      How to
      Clean Carpet Stains
      How to
      Remove Adhesive Residue from Carpet: Solutions for Tape & Glue
      How to
      Remove Oil Stains from Carpeting
      How to
      Remove Water Stains From Carpet
      How to
      Clean Carpet Edges
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/qw-IwrRLtNw?t=32
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/qw-IwrRLtNw?t=55
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/qw-IwrRLtNw?t=105
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/qw-IwrRLtNw?t=143
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/qw-IwrRLtNw?t=168
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/qw-IwrRLtNw?t=180
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/qw-IwrRLtNw?t=191
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/qw-IwrRLtNw?t=213
      9. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-remove-tea-stains/
      1. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-remove-tea-stains/
      2. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-remove-tea-stains/
      3. ↑ https://cleaning.lovetoknow.com/Borax_to_Clean_Carpet
      4. ↑ https://cleaning.lovetoknow.com/Borax_to_Clean_Carpet
      5. ↑ https://cleaning.lovetoknow.com/Borax_to_Clean_Carpet
      6. ↑ https://cleaning.lovetoknow.com/Borax_to_Clean_Carpet
      7. ↑ https://cleaning.lovetoknow.com/Borax_to_Clean_Carpet

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 47,270 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement