Coffee is one of the most common carpet stains, yet one of the most difficult to remove. Removing the spot immediately is the best solution, because if it's allowed to remain on the carpet, the oils and dyes in the coffee will penetrate the pores of the carpet fiber and become a permanent stain.
Sometimes when we remove a spot, it will reappear upon drying, or over time. This usually happens because residue from the original spot was not completely removed, or residue from the cleaner that was used was not thoroughly rinsed.
Sometimes spots will reappear due to "wicking". This means that the spot was not completely flushed out of the carpet's backing, and wicks back up to the carpet's surface.
If a spot reappears, re-wet it with a small amount of water and place a thick, dry, white cotton towel over it. Then place an even weight, such as a heavy book on the towel and let it sit overnight. This will cause the spot to wick up into the towel.
Have walk-off mats at every entrance and vacuum them daily. For heavy traffic areas, consider vacuuming twice per day. Ten vacuum passes over the first 10 feet inside doorways will remove most tracked-in soil.
Did you know that 80% of soil brought into a facility can be trapped within the first 12 feet after stepping onto a carpeted surface? In other words, if you had a 12-foot mat at your entrance, you'd eliminate 80% of the soil brought into your office.
Walk-off mats can also reduce necessary maintenance, such as carpet cleaning. By having long enough mats and performing frequent vacuuming, you can prolong the time between carpet cleanings.
Yes, you can limit the impact of chemicals on indoor air quality by using green cleaners. Green cleaners are defined as environmentally friendly and safe for human usage. When looking for green cleaners, consider the following:
Whenever possible, use mechanical means rather than chemical means for cleaning. For example, use a microfiber cloth instead of a chemical-based dust control product. Also use a microfiber cloth instead of a feather duster, which causes dust to become airborne.
Use spray bottles instead of aerosols for applying chemicals if another means is not possible, and make sure you have proper ventilation when using chemicals. When in a commercial building, make sure ventilation systems are turned on. Inadequate ventilation allows chemical by-products to be absorbed into porous items such as ceiling tiles and wallboard.