Everyone has their favourite cup they like to enjoy a cup of tea from, so it’s not surprising that stains can quickly build up on them.
Teacups are usually easy to clean, but when they are covered in built-up stains it makes the chore difficult and often results in a lot of time and effort spent scrubbing.
The main cause of tea stains is tea tannins. Tannin, also known as tannic acid, gives tea its colour.
Tannin levels can differ depending on the type of tea from black, green, white, and oolong, and how these teas are prepared. Tea stains can be worse depending on the water in your region.
Bleach is something people often use when coming across stubborn stains like these, however, bleach is a very harsh chemical and it doesn’t even remove the stain – it simply masks it.
Instead of gravitating towards bleach to clean her tea cups, one woman has found a better item – and it’s cheap too.
Posting before and after photos on the Mrs Hinch Army Facebook page, Zoe Simmons said: “Tea stains! My partner is a mechanic, so cups tend to get ‘forgotten about’ and left in the workshop.
“Here’s an easy, no scrubbing way to remove the nasty tea stains. Rinse the cup with water and spray inside with Elbow Grease (avoid the outside especially if you have fancy cups).
“Wait five minutes before wiping off and washing as usual. I’ve spent probably months of my life scrubbing tea stains with pink stuff, other degreasers, and specialised products.
“Wish I had tried elbow grease sooner, literally wipes away. I’m not a fan of bleach, Elbow Grease rinses the stains away better and easily leaving no odd taste behind. Hope this helps some of you.”
Elbow Grease can be picked up from B and M for £1.19 or at Wilko for just £1.25.
Group members in the comments were impressed by the five-minute hack and shared their methods of removing tea cup stains.
Alice Green said: “They look great. I use bicarbonate of soda and boiling water. No scrubbing is required and zero taste.”
Frances Augustin commented: “White vinegar and baking soda work if you don’t want to use chemicals.”
Brenda Quinn said: “Baking soda. Wet the cup, put a tablespoon or two in and rub it around with your fingers. Comes off instantly.
“It’s difficult to get the smell (and taste) of bleach out. I wouldn’t like drinking from a cup that had been cleaned with any chemicals.”
Diane Watson wrote: “I always use a small amount of cream of tartar to remove tea stains. It works quickly. I’m reluctant to use bleach etc as I’m concerned about food safety.”
