How to clean coffee stains from cups?
Just as you sip the last drop of your coffee or tea, an ugly ring appears at the bottom of your favorite cup. While the drink does taste delicious, the tannins that give tea and coffee their flavor can also leave dark stains on cutlery. These coffee and tea stains are sometimes easy to remove, but other stains require more work, depending on the material of the cup and how long the stain has set. White is a popular choice for cutlery but can accentuate stains, while the original color may make you wonder how to remove coffee stains from white cups.
Before you start working, you need to know the ingredients of your cup. Some, such as stainless steel or coarse pottery, require special consideration. Many cups can go in the dishwasher, but for heavier, fixed stains, pre-washing items can help eliminate stubborn stains. Use one of these methods (or a combination of all three for stubborn stains) to fight coffee and tea stains.
1.Soak with soap
Dish soap is formulated to remove stains and is the first line of defense for removing coffee stains from cups. Spray the cup with soap, add enough warm water to cover the stain, and shake the mixture. Let the glass sit for a few minutes (longer if there are stains), then let the detergent soak in the stain. Once the soap has had a chance to work, sponge the stain.
To remove coffee stains from travel mugs with stainless steel interiors, use a soft sponge ($6, Walmart). Abrasive scrubbers can scratch surfaces. Other materials, such as standard ceramic cutlery, can be sponged, but with a light hand.
2. Scrub with baking soda
If soap doesn't work, here's how to remove coffee stains from cups with baking soda. Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon. Add a little water and baking soda to the stain to make a paste. Scrub the stain with a damp soft sponge. The gentle, abrasive nature of baking soda helps remove coffee or tea stains from the surface. After you're done scrubbing, rinse the cup to remove any remaining baking soda.
3. Turn to vinegar
Vinegar is another time-tested cleaning necessity. To use this powerful tool for treating coffee and tea stains, fill your cup with distilled white vinegar and top it up with very hot water. Let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes to give the vinegar time to work. After soaking, wipe off the stains with dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge, then rinse well.