How to Remove Tea Stains from Everything You Love

We have all been there: One minute you are drinking your tea on a crisp morning, and the next minute it has somehow managed to make its way all over your nice shirt. While tea is great to drink, it can be such a pain to get out of clothing.
Tea can also be pesky wherever it goes, seemingly wanting to stay forever. To save you the countless hours of online searches on how to remove tea stains, we have this handy guide that will show you how to clean tea off of everything, from your clothes to your beautiful teacups. Save everything you love with these suggestions below.

How to Remove Tea Stains from Clothing

Tea stains are annoying, but don’t worry: they aren’t permanent. The steps are as simple as the alphabet.

1. Sponge the stain with water to see if it will come out first.
2. Soak clothing in cold water for at least half an hour to a full night.
3. Spray tea stain with a solution of one teaspoon of vinegar and one liter of water.
4. Let sit for ten minutes, then blot and rinse, and wash as normal. Air dry after done.

If your shirt is white and can handle bleach, try soaking the stain in the washing machine with bleach and detergent for four hours before continuing the cycle. Air dry once done.

How to Remove Tea Stains from Cups

Have you ever accidentally let your tea sit for too long, or used the same cup every time you have tea? If so, you probably have noticed those brown rings that like to sit on the side of your cup. While the rings aren’t unsafe to drinkers, they can hinder the look of your beautiful teacups. Here is exactly how you can eliminate the stain and save your favorite cup.

1. Wet the inside of your cup with cold water.
2. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda inside the cup so it covers the brown rings.
3. Let it sit for ten minutes, then use a sponge to scrub away at the baking soda.
4. Scrub the faded ring to the best of your ability, and then wash normally with your dishwashing detergent.
5. Repeat if necessary.

The faster you clean your cup from first spotting the stain, the easier it will be to get out. If you wait to clean it for a while, it may take a couple of times to get the rings erased.

How to Remove Tea Stains from Teeth

This problem can arise from any type of beverage, but especially the caffeinated kind. Having tea stains isn’t a look that anyone wants to go for, no matter how much they may like tea. Here is how you can get your shiny pearly whites back:

1. Brush your teeth with baking soda. This won’t bleach your teeth, but it will remove the stains that tea leaves behind.
2. Try to regularly brush your teeth with baking soda at least once a week.
3. Get an electric toothbrush. It will brush your teeth more efficiently and get the stains out faster.

This routine won’t immediately get the stains out, but if you keep it up, with time, your teeth will appear whiter and cleaner no matter how much tea you drink.

How to Remove Tea from Plastic

Whether you have stains in your plastic pitchers from iced tea or in a plastic cup of hot tea, it can feel almost impossible to get out. No matter how much scrubbing you try to do, nothing seems enough.
We have the secret for you:

1. Fill the plastic container with water (or submerge/coat in water).
2. Add two tablespoons of dry or liquid dishwasher detergent (not dishwashing soap).
3. Let the mixture sit for about 15-45 minutes, depending on the size of the stain.
4. The stains should lift right off the plastic. If any extra stains are left on the plastic, gently scrub off with a dish brush.
5. Repeat if needed.

How to Remove Tea Stains from Glass

The darn acidity of tea tends to grip onto everything it touches. The same goes for glass and often leaves a little ring around the top. Here are some tips for getting it out:

1. Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with a little water to make a paste.
2. Rub onto the tea stains on the glass.
3. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of dishwasher detergent into a cup of hot water.
4. Pour the solution into the glass, covering the tea stains.
5. Leave in overnight.
6. Rinse out the glass and wash it as normal.
7. Repeat if necessary.

How to Remove Tea Stains from Carpet

Carpet stains are probably the king of all stains. Carpets are easy to spill on and hard to clean up. It isn’t impossible, though. Here is how you can get a tea stain out of your carpet and make it look like it was never there:

1. Blot the tea stain until the liquid is removed.
2. Apply a small amount of water.
3. Put carpet stain remover on the stain.
4. Let sit for 5-10 minutes and wipe clean.
5. If the stain is still visible, add some white vinegar and water onto a cloth and dab on the stain and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
6. Wipe clean.
7. Vacuum over for a clean and pristine finish.

How to Remove Tea Stains from Stainless Steel

Staining can happen anywhere on stainless steel, from inside teapots and other cookware to utensils like tea balls, teaspoons, and other tools. The removal process isn’t too overly complicated, and in no time you can get that newly-bought look.

1. Fill a spray bottle with distilled white vinegar.
2. Cover the entire stain with vinegar.
3. Wait 15-20 minutes.
4. Rub the stainless steel with a warm cloth to remove the vinegar and the stain.
5. Rinse with warm water and wash normally.
6. Dry thoroughly to keep your stainless steel polished and shiny.