The Simple Beer Hack For Removing Coffee And Tea Stains

Beer is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages to exist. Its 12,000-year history is a rich and somewhat confusing one. As World History explained, while the Chinese are credited with brewing one type of beer — kui — in 7000 B.C.E, it was in Mesopotamia's Godin Tepe settlement between 3500-3100 B.C.E that the brew gained popularity. It is also believed that entire civilizations were formed around the practice of manufacturing the beverage. 

Either way, nothing beats taking the first sip of beer after a long day at work. It's the perfect way to unwind over the weekend or on vacation. It's the alcoholic beverage of choice at barbecues, the highlight of bar-hopping nights, and even the go-to drink for some to cure a hangover. 

Beer has come a long way from its humble beginnings. So much so that today, there are a number of surprising beer types you've never heard of. Despite its popularity, there are times when we've left a half-open can of beer in the fridge only to revisit the beverage later and dump it in the trash coz it's gone stale. But before you do that the next time, did you know that this fermented goodness can be used to remove coffee and tea stains? Here's how.    

How many times have you spilled a few droplets (or maybe even an entire glass) of beer on your carpet and instantly regretted it? Turns out you can do something of the version deliberately to remove coffee and tea stains. Well, not an entire mug of beer but you get the picture. 

What you'll need are a small amount of beer, a clean cloth, a soiled carpet, and some water. Los Angeles-based interior designer Erinn Valencich told Today, "Pour a bit of beer on the stain. Rub the beer lightly into the rug and the stain should come out." It's as simple as that. For particularly challenging spots, make sure you get right in there with the cloth and scrub until you see the discoloration disappear. Once you're done, you can wipe the area clean with some fresh water and pat it dry. Nice and simple. 

So the next time you're tempted to throw out old beer, think twice. Leaving them in the fridge for a nifty household hack like this is probably a good idea. And it's not the only use you can get out of this alcoholic beverage. 

Don't you just love it when your favorite beverage also doubles as a lifesaver when it comes to simple household needs? While you might already know that beer can be used in marinades for cooking, the brew is also great at keeping pesky bugs away. If you like sitting on your patio during the summer but the mosquitos seem to also equally like hanging around the area, pour a small amount of stale beer into some cans and leave them around your yard. Turns out bugs are attracted to beer just as much as we are so they'll congregate there instead of at your feet. New York City bar owner Cantone stressed to Today, however, that the beer must be strong so go for an amber or darker-colored kind. 

You can also polish old wood with stale beer for that extra shine. Valencich shared with Today, "Wipe on the beer with a soft cloth, then wipe off with another dry cloth." The carbonation in the brew is also great at loosening up rust in metal appliances. 

Got gold jewelry that needs polishing? Add a few droplets of beer to the ring or necklace you want to work on and using a soft cloth, wipe it down. An excess of beer might make you bloat but there is no such thing as unwanted beer in the house now that you're privy to these hacks.