5 Natural Ways to Remove Tea Stains from Mugs and Dishes

Sipping on delicious tea is one of the best self-care practices out there, and it works wonders in relaxing your body and bringing bliss to your mind. But tea can also ruin your mood when you see your favorite cup getting stained! Here at Tea and I, we know all about tea stains and will help you find the most effortless and natural solution to getting a clean cup at home.

How to Avoid Tea Stains

The only downside to being an avid tea drinker is the stains left on mugs and porcelain dishes. They’re due to the natural compounds in many tea blends called tannins. Tea tannins offer excellent health benefits, such as strengthening the immune system and decreasing the chance of infection, but they can also destroy your favorite dishes unless you find ways to prevent stains from happening in the first place:

Tip #1 - Wash as soon as possible

To prevent your ceramic tableware from staining, you need to make sure to wash your mugs and dishes as soon as you’re done drinking the tea. Easy enough, right?

Tip #2 - Use a water treatment system

Another reason for the stains is using “hard” water instead of “soft” water. Hard water has a high concentration of limestone, which reacts with tannins to make staining your mug easier. With filtered water that has less limestone, tannins have a harder time reacting, leaving your mugs stain-free.    

Tip #3 - Don’t scratch the surface of your dishes

Using rough cleaning brushes and sponges on your dishes can cause scratches on the surface, which then become a primary hangout for stains. To prevent scratches, make sure you’re washing your dishes with a no-scratch sponge and drying them with a soft microfiber cloth. But if the damage is already done, the following tips will show you how to remove tea stains from your mugs and dishes naturally:  

Solution #1 - Vinegar

Vinegar can effectively eliminate odors, remove stains, and leave your mugs squeaky clean. All you need is water, vinegar, and a cloth:

Preparation:

Step 1: Combine water and vinegar in a 50/50 mixture.

Step 2: Scrub the surface with the solution using a soft cloth until the stain lifts.

Step 3: Make sure to thoroughly rinse your mugs and dishes unless you enjoy sipping a vinegar-infused tea blend!  

Solution #2 - Baking Soda

Don’t have vinegar? Try using baking soda and water!

Preparation:

Step 1: Sprinkle a few pinches of baking soda with just a few drops of water, creating a thick paste.

Step 2: Using a sponge, and scrub the paste into your stained mug.

Step 3: Leave the cleaning paste on the stains for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly.  

Solution #3 - Lemon

When life gives you lemons…make a stain remover! Lemon juice is used as an active ingredient in many cleaning products and can be very effective at lifting stains and cleaning surfaces without causing damage. For this recipe, you will need fresh lemon and salt.

Preparation:

Step 1: Cut your lemon in half and squeeze the juice on the inside of the cup.

Step 2: Pour salt over the juice and start rubbing it into the stains.

Step 3: Once the stain has lifted, rinse the cup thoroughly.

Solution #4 - Toothpaste

Since it’s mildly abrasive, toothpaste can be used to clean your old tea mugs without damaging them! All you need is toothpaste and a hard brush.

Preparation:

Step 1: Squirt a bit of toothpaste on the stains.

Step 2: Using a hard brush or heavy-duty, non-scratch sponge, scrub stain with toothpaste.

Step 3: Rinse.

Solution #5 - Sugar

We bet you have never thought of sugar as a cleaning solution, but it works! It’s great at absorbing bad odors and removing tea stains.

Preparation:

Step 1: Mix 2 teaspoons of sugar with a few drops of water to create a paste.

Step 2: Using a damp cloth, scrub the surface of your dish.

Step 3: Clean thoroughly with water.

While tea stains aren’t the end of the world, they can be an annoying byproduct of regular tea drinking. So, whichever homemade method you choose, remember to try the solution on a small portion of the cup or dish first to check for an adverse reaction before covering the whole area.

About Tea and I:  Tea and I is a wellness tea brand for tea lovers who want to feel their absolute best. Our tea is fortified with nothing but the finest all-natural herbs and ingredients, as it should be. Whether you want to feel healthier, be more energetic, or boost your immune system, we have a tea to fit your lifestyle. Add a cup of wellness to your daily routine so that you can be—and look like—a healthier, happier you.

Click here to shop today!