How to Remove Coffee Stains From Stainless Steel Cups

Stainless steel cups are classy and durable.

Stainless steel cups are durable and add modern flair to the kitchen or dining room. When coffee is enjoyed on a regular basis from stainless steel cups, the pigment and oils in the beverage causes coffee stains to form. While stainless steel is durable and long-lasting, it also scratches easily. Using safe, effective cleaners and tools to remove coffee stains from your stainless steel cups is important to maintaining the appearance of your cups.

Things You'll Need

• Hand dishwashing liquid
• Soft mesh dish scrubber
• 2 oz. white vinegar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• Towel

Instructions

1. 

   A mesh dish scrubber cleans without scratching.

   Squirt 2 or 3 drops of liquid hand dishwashing detergent into your stainless steel cup. Fill the cup with hot water and scrub the inside of the cup with a mesh scrubber. Allow the dish detergent solution to sit in the cup for a few minutes.

2. Rinse the soapy water out of the stainless steel cup with plain water. Pour 2 oz. white vinegar into the cup and fill the remainder of the cup with warm water. Let the solution sit for five minutes as the vinegar, a natural degreaser, breaks down the oils in the coffee stains.

3. Empty the vinegar solution from the cup and rinse with warm water. Place 1 tsp. baking soda in the stainless steel cup and add water.

4. Swish the water in the cup around with your fingers to help dissolve the baking soda. Scrub inside the cup, along the sides and bottom, with your mesh dish scrubber. Baking soda is a mild abrasive, safe for stainless steel, that helps remove coffee stains.

5. 

   Rinse cleaning solutions and stains from stainless steel cups.

   Rinse the stainless steel cup with plain water, then towel dry completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Rinse your stainless steel cup after each cup of coffee or tea to prevent tannin stain build-up.

• Don't be tempted to use scouring powder with bleaching agents to remove coffee stains from your cup as the scouring powder will create scratches in the surface of your cup that will attract and hold onto new stains.

References

• Heloise: Hints: Heloise Tackles Holiday Stains: Coffee Stains
• British Stainless Steel Association: Cleaning Methods for Stainless Steel