An expert has shared how you can easily remove tough tea and coffee stains from your favourite mugs in minutes
Imagine the horror of offering a cuppa to a visitor and then realising your mugs are sporting unsightly stains – talk about a tea-time faux pas!
But fear not, there’s a nifty trick to get your mugs spotless in just 10 minutes. The culprit behind those stubborn marks is tannins, a natural compound found in our beloved tea and coffee, which loves to cling to surfaces and leave behind a discoloured mess.
It’s crucial to tackle these stains pronto, as lingering tannins can harbour bacteria if not cleaned properly. Ivelina Minkova from IVE Cleaning has let us in on a surprisingly effective method that doesn’t involve endless scrubbing, reports the Express.
She said: “Plain old white toothpaste is not just good for whitening your teeth. You can also use it to remove coffee and tea stains from your favourite mug.
“Toothpaste contains mild abrasives like calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, magnesium carbonates, phosphate salts and silicates that remove residual surface stains. The stain removal mechanism is quite similar to what happens when you brush your teeth daily.”
It might sound odd, but the gentle abrasive nature of toothpaste means it can banish stains without harming your mug. Plus, since toothpaste is designed to brighten teeth, it’ll leave your mugs looking shinier and whiter too.
For the best results, reach for whitening toothpaste, as it’s more likely to contain the stain-busting ingredients you need.
Here’s how to use toothpaste to get rid of stains from mugs:
Simply smear a generous dollop of toothpaste over the stained area of the mug.
Ensure the paste reaches into the bottom and curves of the mug. Allow the toothpaste to sit for about 10 minutes, giving it time to tackle the stains.
Use a clean dishcloth and warm water to wipe the mug, and the stains should come off effortlessly. Rinse the mug under tap water, dry it, and voila – your mug should be spotlessly clean.
