Tea, soda and sports drinks
Tea is tannin; soda is sugar and dye; sports drinks are the worst of both.
Tea is one of the strongest tannin stains in a house, worse than coffee. Blot immediately, dilute with cool water, blot again. What is left responds to a tannin remover or, on synthetic carpet, a peroxide-and-water solution tested first in a closet.
Cola is sugar, caramel color and acid. Blot, rinse thoroughly (the sugar attracts dirt if left), and the caramel color comes out with a mild oxidizer.
Sports and energy drinks
Blue and red sports drinks combine sugar and artificial dye. Treat the sugar first with water, then the dye. Blue dye is easier than red; red often needs the heat-transfer treatment described in our red-dye guide. Do not use hot water on the spill itself; it sets the dye.
Upholstery
The same rules apply, but keep the fabric as dry as possible and dry with a fan to prevent rings. Microfiber gets alcohol, not water.
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