Tea contains tannins, which can stain clothing, upholstery, porcelain, and even teeth. To remove tea stains, strong detergents, abrasives, or acids are needed. Choose the right method for cleaning the stained surface and take steps as soon as possible to prevent the stain from sticking even harder. The sooner you treat the stain, the easier it is usually to remove the tea stain completely.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Removing Tea Stains from Cutlery
Step 1. Rub the salted lemon peel on the stain
Cut the lemon zest into large enough pieces. After that, sprinkle table salt on the outside. Rub the salted lemon zest on a cup or plate in a circular motion. The acidity of the lemon peel and the abrasiveness of the salt can lift the tea stain.
Add more salt as needed until the surface of your cutlery is clean
Step 2. Rub the baking soda paste on the stain
If the lemon zest and salt don't work to remove the stain, make a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with a little water in a small bowl. Make a paste that is thick enough to rub into the stained area using a washcloth or paper towel.
Use a little pressure as you rub the paste into the stain on the plate or cup. After a few minutes, you can rinse the cleaned plate or cup
Step 3. Wash the plate or cup thoroughly
Rinse the plate or cup under running water to remove any remaining baking soda, lemon juice, and salt. Wash the cup as usual with dishwashing detergent and water.
Method 2 of 3: Removing Tea Stains from Clothes
Step 1. Check clothing labels
Read the specific washing instructions on the clothing label. If there is a "Dry Clean Only" message on the label, immediately take the clothes to a dry cleaning service provider. Show the stain to the clerk so he knows specifically what type of stain needs to be cleaned.
If there is no “Dry Clean Only” message on the label, you can try removing the stain yourself using available household products
Step 2. Rinse the clothes with cold water
Immediately rinse or remove the stain with cold water if the tea spill stain is fresh. Blot the clean cloth to remove the stain and occasionally change the position of the cloth to absorb the stain using a clean part of the cloth. Keep lifting the stain until no more of the stain is absorbed by the washcloth.
Step 3. Soak the clothes in cold water
If the garment does not require dry cleaning, soak it in cold water for at least 30 minutes. You can also soak it overnight if the stain is large enough.
Add a little detergent (a few tablespoons for 3.8 liters of water) or bleach to the cold bath. However, only use bleach if the clothes are white
Step 4. Soak cotton clothes in vinegar mixture
You can also soak cotton clothes in the vinegar mixture. Mix 720 ml of vinegar and 240 ml of cold water in a bucket, bowl, or sink. Dip the clothes into the mixture and soak for 30 minutes.
- Alternatively, you can spray the vinegar mixture directly on the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
- If the stain is still visible after soaking the garment, sprinkle salt on the stain and rub it into the fabric with your fingers.
Step 5. Wash clothes after soaking
After the clothes have soaked for a long time, wash as usual. If the clothes are white, you can use bleach. For colored or bleach-safe clothes, use oxygenated bleach.
Step 6. Dry the clothes
Take the clothes out of the washing machine and check them before you dry them in the tumble dryer. The heat can make the stain stick even more tightly, so you don't have to dry the clothes until all the tea stains have been removed. When the stain is completely removed, dry the clothes as usual or hang them outside to dry.
Method 3 of 3: Remove Tea Stains from the Carpet
Step 1. Soak up any spilled tea
Use a dry, clean towel or washcloth to absorb any tea spills. Keep absorbing spills until no more liquid is lifted from the carpet.
You can add a little water and soak up the spill again while lifting more tea on the carpet
Step 2. Use a carpet-specific stain remover product on the stain
If your carpet is colored, read the label on the packaging to make sure the product is safe to use on colored fabrics. Use the product on the tea spilled area and follow the product manufacturer's directions to remove the stain from the carpet.
- Usually, you'll need to let the mixture sit on the stain for a certain amount of time, then remove it using a damp paper towel or rag to rinse the carpet of any remaining cleaning products.
- Switch to the next method if cleaning products don't completely remove the tea stain.
Step 3. Make a cleaning mixture
Mix 60 ml of vinegar with 120 ml of water to make a cleaning solution. Dip a clean sponge or washcloth in the mixture and apply it to the stain. Let the vinegar mixture sit on the stain for about 10 minutes.
