Removing Coffee Stains from Mugs

Every so often I get some really awful coffee and tea stains on the coffee cups. Cleaning the cups via the dishwasher or even good old fashioned elbow grease via manual washing usually do not succeed in removing these unsightly stains. Well I have a few tips or tricks that are pretty effective at removing coffee stains from cups and some of these are green methods. I use these tricks not only with the coffee cups, but also with the coffee pot and ice tea maker that build up stains over time. I try to stick to the more “green” methods of cleaning by use of safe household products; but every once in a while resort to more extreme measures using tougher cleaning compounds.


Baking Soda

Surprise, surprise. You knew when I said “Green” you would see baking soda somewhere on this list. Take your assembly line of dirty cups and fill each cup with a dose of baking soda and hot water for four to six hours and then give it a good scrub.

Vinegar

Ah yes. Can’t mention baking soda without vinegar can we? Pour a little white vinegar into the stained cup and add some salt. Take an old toothbrush and start scrubbing away at the stain. If the stain does go away, give the vinegar salt solution a little more time and try again.

Bleach Based Cleansers

I try to stick with the green solutions offered above, but then there are those times where I get out the heavy artillery. Try a small amount of Soft Scrub or (Comet mixed with a tad of water) and work into stain with toothbrush. If the stain does not go away upon first cleaning, then allow the bleach solution additional time to work. Use caution when using these more abrasive cleansers by protecting clothes and hands. This higher concentration of bleach will discolor clothing if it sprays back.

Dishwasher Detergent and Tea Stains

Simply fill stained cups with very hot water and add a little dishwasher detergent. Allow cleaning solution to work on stain overnight; then scrub in the morning.

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