How to Remove Tea Stains From Crockery

Tannin in tea can produce heavy stains on tea cups.

Stubborn tea stains are difficult to remove from crockery, no matter how many times you rinse and wash. Tannins in tea produce brown marks around the inside of cups and on the surfaces of saucers and spoons. Staining increases over time and can eventually cover the inside of cups and other crockery. Tea stains can be removed from crockery without using toxic chemicals or costly cleaning products.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Rubber gloves
• Abrasive cleaning cloth

Instructions

1. Mix 1/2 a cup of warm water with 3 tsp. baking soda and 1/4 cup of household vinegar in a small bowl or bucket. Add a few squirts of lemon juice.

2. Put on the rubber gloves. The tannin will also stain your skin and clothing when removed from the crockery.

3. Dip the abrasive cleaning cloth into the cleaning solution until completely soaked.

4. Scrub the stained crockery with the cloth until the tea stains are removed. Use short circular motions to remove the stains.

5. Rinse the crockery under cold water once stains are removed and leave to air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the crockery over the kitchen sink to avoid excess residue splashing on kitchen work surfaces.

• Do not scrub bone china or other brittle items too vigorously. Rough handling may cause breakage.

References

• Mrs. Clean USA: Tea Stains, Stain Removal, Cleaning
• Channel 4: How to Remove Tea
• Stain Expert: Dealing With Tea and Coffee Stains

Resources

• University of Tasmania Online Sciences: Tannins
• Stain Expert: The Secret to Sparkling Crockery