Whether it’s your teeth or your mugs, coffee (and tea, for that matter) is known to stain. And as far as your cupboard is concerned, the brown residue can start to build up over time, causing your drinkware to look dingy and dirty, even after cycling through the dishwasher. But if you’re wondering how to…
We’re talking about baking soda, of course. This cheap pantry staple is known for cleaning all sorts of stubborn grime, including coffee and tea stains.
How To Remove Coffee Stains From Cups
1. Wash the Coffee Mug
To remove coffee stains from your mugs, start by giving each vessel a good cleaning with dish soap and hot water or adding them to the dishwasher if you have one. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the mugs so all of the suds disappear. You can dry the mugs, but it’s not necessary since the next step involves adding a splash of water to the mix.
2. Add Baking Soda and Water to the Mug
Once your mugs are clean, reach for a box of baking soda and scoop one or two spoonfuls of the kitchen staple into each cup. Then, add enough water to create a thick paste. Use an old toothbrush or rag to coat the stained areas with the mixture, and let the mugs sit for 10 minutes.
3. Scrub If Needed
If you’re dealing with especially stubborn stains, you might also want to try using a nonabrasive sponge or scour pad to scrub the problem area with the baking soda paste. This step isn’t necessary, but it’s worth trying on older stains that might take longer to lift.
4. Rinse and Repeat
Rinse out your mugs and repeat these steps until the mugs look shiny and new.
In addition to the baking soda and water method, you can try mixing vinegar with baking soda for extra cleaning power. Coat the inside of the mug with the baking soda paste, then slowly add distilled white vinegar. (It’s best to do this over the sink as the chemical reaction makes a fizzy mess.) After a few minutes have passed, pour out the solution and grab an old toothbrush to scrub away the stains. This works particularly well on older and more stubborn stains. You can also hold the baking soda and simply pour boiling water into a stained mug, add around one-fourth cup of vinegar, and let it soak for 10 minutes before scouring.
