Dark brown sediment on a cup? You can remove a simple way
The interior of your favorite mug covered with dark brown sediment is a reality well-known to many. This deposit is extremely stubborn, and removing it with dish soap or using a dishwasher is nearly miraculous. So are we doomed to only have mugs that darken from the inside? Not necessarily. Just look in the kitchen cabinet. There you will find remedies that will help you deal with the tea deposit.
2:56 PM EDT, October 25, 2023
Where does the tea residue come from on the mug? It appears as a result of the contact of oxalates with calcium in the water. In other words: the colors from the brew bind with the limescale and settle/accumulate on the vessel. The more calcium, which means the harder the water, the greater the likelihood that a dark residue will form inside your favorite mug. On the other hand, in filtered or spring water, the amounts of calcium are small, so the residue does not form or form, but in negligible amounts.
How to remove tea stains from a mug or thermos?
If you're dealing with tough tea stains inside mugs or thermoses, and the dishwasher didn't meet the challenge, try some proven home remedies. The tea residue will give in if you use citric acid, baking soda, vinegar, baking powder, or salt. You probably have most of these products at home, so there's nothing stopping you from testing them on dishes dirty from residue.
Lemon acid works well for mugs or thermoses, but remember not to use it on porcelain, as it can damage the delicate material. The principle of action in the case of acid is simple: you need to apply a teaspoon of the product to a damp sponge and clean the dish with it. After that, all you need to do is rinse it thoroughly and wipe it with a cloth.
Vinegar - the perfect remedy to combat sediment
When it comes to getting rid of the residue from tea, vinegar works wonderfully. Acids (including acetic acid, i.e., vinegar) effectively remove inorganic stains such as residue from stone, soap, and rust. Pour hot water into half of the vessel you want to remove the residue from and fill the other half with vinegar. After about 10 minutes, rinse the container and wipe it with a cloth.
For more stubborn stains, it's worth combining vinegar with salt, which has natural abrasive properties. Onto a damp sponge, put a paste made from a tablespoon of vinegar and 3/4 tablespoon of table salt, and clean the dirty dish with it. Then rinse and wipe it with a dry cloth.
Tea stains on dishes? Baking soda and baking powder will help
A product that effectively helps remove tea stains from cups is baking soda. Sprinkle it on a damp sponge and clean the stained surface. You can also quickly prepare a homemade cleaning paste - all you have to do is combine the baking soda with a small amount of water to form a thick mass. Then use it to remove the stains. You can use baking powder in the same way.
