How to Clean Tea Stains from Stainless Steel

A lustrous stainless-steel decanter can become stained by the many types of tea that is brewed in the carafe. If the walls, bottom, sides or lids are patched with tan tea stains, a soapy soak simply won't do.

There are a few ways to clean and restore a discolored stainless steel item without damaging the shine.

It's calming, healthy and an affordable option for a soothing beverage served hot or cold. The main feature that makes tea so appetizing is also what causes it to leave behind brown rings and blotches on your stainless steel, porcelain, wood or other kitchen cookware.

The tannin, or tannic acid, in tea gives the drink its color. It's also what creates the stain at the bottom of your favorite teapot or cup. The stains build up over time and can be difficult to remove if left on the surface of a stainless steel mug, tumbler or coffee pot for too long.

These tannins are what make tea ideal for dying cotton, tanning leather and making ink. The tannic acid also makes it hard to scrub off of stainless steel surfaces once it has had a chance to sit for some time.

To make the process fast and simple, you need to have a few things on hand. A varied amount of sponges, scrubbers and soft towels will make the process quick and simple. Some surfaces that are suffering from tea stains can get scratched if the wrong abrasive sponge is used, so be careful when scouring cookware.

A long-handled soft nylon brush made for cleaning metal or plastic will ensure you don't inadvertently scratch the stainless steel surface. For narrow openings, using a pair of tongues and a scouring sponge can allow you to get deep into crevices and into the bottom of tea pots or tall drinking tumblers.

Work over and around areas, as well as materials, that won't be affected by vinegar, bleach, lemon juice acid or other cleaners you are working with that can have an adverse reaction to stone countertops or other surfaces.

It's a classic and a relatively safe choice. Using vinegar to remove tea stains is one of the more common techniques to lift the brown rings from dishes and surfaces. It's economical, environmentally friendly and effective.

Wash the pot out with a mild detergent and warm water, then pour a 1/4 cup of baking soda into the pot or basin of the item. Slowly fill it with white distilled vinegar to about half way. Add hot water and fill to the top of the pot or decanter, then let the mix rest for 15 minutes before rinsing out.

This mix may bubble over, so have dry cloths on hand to wipe it up. Use over a surface, such as a rimmed metal baking sheet, that won't be affected by vinegar, which can etch granite and other countertop surfaces.

Bleach may be one of the harsher household detergents to use in cleaning tea stains from surfaces, but it is highly effective. To clean a stainless steel coffee mug in bleach, it can be dunked in a bath of a warm water and bleach solution.

Always test the coffee mug before placing it in a bleach bath. This is a harsh cleaning agent that can strip away finishes, paints, patterns and otherwise damage the coffee cup. Bleach can work a hole into the stainless steel, so always be careful when using this household cleaning product.

There are many powders to pick when looking to clean up tea stains. Paired with a little elbow grease, baking soda or cornstarch can take out the stain while simultaneously shining up the stainless steel.

If you're using baking soda: sprinkle some baking soda onto the tea stained area. Take a damp non-scratch pad or terry cloth and rub the baking soda into the tea marks. Rinse off and repeat until the stain is dulled or completely removed.

If you're using cornstarch: a paste of cornstarch and vinegar can take down many stains, tea in particular. Make a paste of 1 part cornstarch and half vinegar, then apply the paste to the stained area, letting it sit for 15 minutes. For more stubborn stains, let the cornstarch paste sit on the stain for an hour or longer.

The citric acid and essential oils in the lemon help to naturally clean and shine stainless steel cookware, countertops, sinks, utensils and other kitchen items. There are a few ways to use lemon to lift the brown stains from tea.

Lemon is an acid, and many of its cleaning partners can be harmful to delicate metals or materials so always test before cleaning if you aren't sure. The fruit's citric acid will loosen the tannins within the surface of the stainless steel. Any of the cleaning techniques using lemon can be repeated as needed without harming the stainless-steel item.

You can cut a lemon in half and rub a freshly set tea stain with the open side. You can also sprinkle the cut side of a lemon with a layer of salt and use it to get down deep into the stainless steel grooves and lift out stubborn tea stains.

Another option is to mix liquid dish soap with a 1/2 cup of baking soda to form a paste that will work well in scrubbing out stubborn tea stains on stainless steel. Use a cut lemon half as the scrubber to increase the paste's cleaning efforts.

It can't be said enough: When working with commercial or harsh chemicals on this durable material, it is still necessary to test a small area if you are even slightly unsure how it will react to the cleaning product and technique of your choice.

To ensure that you don't inadvertently scratch the surface, always rub in the same direction of the stainless steel item's grain.

But avoid commercial cleaner, if possible. It can wipe away the tea stain quickly, but make sure that it does not damage or further discolor the smooth stainless-steel surface.

Rather than spend hours getting rid of the stains and shining up a dingy tea pot or cup, there are a few things to do to ensure the item stays clean once it's been returned to its pristine state.

Removing tea stains from stainless steel on a regular basis is the best way to keep the item in its top shining state. To keep it looking great, as well as working to its full potential, a quick swipe with a damp cloth after use keeps the tea from staining the carafe.