How to Remove Tea Stains from Carpet

Steve asked, “Any ideas how to get a tea stain out of a cream carpet?”

You Will Need:

• Clean white cloth
• Club soda
• Clean sponge
• White vinegar
• Dishwashing liquid
• Beer
• Old toothbrush
• Foam shaving cream
• Borax
• Hydrogen peroxide

Steps to Remove the Tea Stain:

1. Using a clean white cloth, soak up as much of the tea spill as you can. Wet the stain with the club soda and blot with a clean white cloth, turning as the stain comes up. Continue applying club soda and blotting until the stain has been removed. Club soda is carbonated and the bubbles “lift” the stain out.¹
2. To one cup of white vinegar, add three drops dishwashing liquid. Pour a bit of the mixture on a sponge and dab at the stain repeatedly until it is removed, then rinse the area with water.¹
3. Might sound strange, but pour a small amount of beer directly on the stain. Use a clean white cloth to gently rub it in, and then blot to soak up the beer and the stain. Repeat a few times to completely remove the stain. Rinse the area thoroughly afterward to remove the beer.²
4. Squirt foam shaving cream on the stain and rub gently into the carpet with an old toothbrush. Use club soda or cold water to rinse the area, and then soak up by patting the area with a clean dry cloth. Continue the process until the stain is removed.³
5. Mixing an amount that will cover the stain, use a ratio of 3 to 1 borax and warm water. Mix the two together to form a paste. Gently apply to the stain with a toothbrush. Allow the mixture to dry on the carpet. Vacuum. Flush the area with either club soda or cold water and then soak up by patting the area with a clean dry cloth.³
6. If you are still unable to remove the stain, apply a small amount of white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide onto a sponge and dab the stain. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse with club soda or cold water and then soak up by patting the area with a clean dry cloth. Be sure to test a hidden area first though as these solutions sometimes act as a mild bleach.³
7. When the stain has been removed, place a clean white cloth over the wet area and place something heavy on top, like books or weights.
8. Allow the items to sit there for a few hours or overnight.
9. When the area is completely dry, vacuum to revive the carpet fibers.

• You might try a product called Wine Away. It is used primarily for red wine stains, but can also work for tea stains. Follow the label directions.¹
• Do not use ammonia or heat dry the area; you can permanently set the stain.⁴
• Do not use soap on the carpet as it can also set the stain.⁵
• An odd trick that might work is to rub waterless hand cleaner into the stain and then rinse with cold water.⁶
• Use caution when cleaning Oriental rugs. Antique, silk or even partial silk rugs should be taken to a professional for handling.

1. Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic
2. Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things by Reader’s Digest
3. Field Guide to Stains by Virginia M. Friedman, Melissa Wagner & Nancy Armstrong
4. Don Aslett’s Stainbuster’s Bible
5. Stain Removal by Stephanie Zia
6. Haley’s Cleaning Hints by Graham and Rosemary Haley