Tea contains tannins that can stain clothes, upholstery, china, and even teeth. To remove tea stains, you will need a strong cleaning agent, abrasive or acidic substance. Choose a method based on which surface is stained, and get to work as soon as possible before the stain is buried deeper. If you do not hesitate, tea stains can usually be removed completely.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Removing tea stains from dishes
Step 1. Rub the stain with lemon peel and salt
Cut off a large piece of lemon peel. Sprinkle some table salt on the outside of the rind. Use a circular motion to wipe the stained cup or saucer with the salt crust. The acidity of the lemon peel and the abrasive properties of the salt will remove the tea stain.
Add more salt, if necessary, until the surface of the cookware is clean
Step 2. Rub the stain with baking soda paste
If the lemon peel and salt don't work, make a baking soda paste. Combine baking soda with a little water in a small saucer. The paste should be thick enough to rub into the stain with a rag or paper towel.
Apply light pressure as you rub the tea stain on a plate or cup. After a few minutes, the stain can be washed off with water
Step 3. Thoroughly wash the plate or cup
Rinse a plate or cup with water to rinse off the baking soda, lemon, or salt. Clean the cup with water and dishwashing liquid.
Method 2 of 3: Removing tea stains from fabric
Step 1. Take a look at the label
Examine the garment washing instruction label. If the garment is only suitable for dry cleaning, take the item to a dry cleaner. Show the dry cleaner the stain so that he or she understands what he is dealing with.
If the label does not say “Dry Clean Only”, try removing the stain yourself using household products
Step 2. Rinse clothes in cold water
If you've just doused yourself with tea, immediately rinse or blot the stain with cold water. Blot the stain with a clean rag, continually wiping the stain with the clean side. Continue blotting the stain until you have removed all the liquid.
Step 3. Soak the garment in cold water
If the item does not need dry cleaning, soak it in cold water for at least 30 minutes. If the surface of the stain is large enough, soak the garment overnight.
Try adding a little cleaning agent (a couple tablespoons or 30 ml for 3.7 liters of water) or bleach to the water. Only add bleach if your clothes are white
Step 4. Soak cotton clothes in vinegar solution
Cotton clothing can be soaked in vinegar solution. In a bucket, bowl, or sink, combine 3 cups (720 ml) of white vinegar with a glass (240 ml) of cold water. Dip a cotton garment in this solution and soak for 30 minutes.
- You can also spray the stain with vinegar and leave it on your clothes for about 30 minutes.
- If the stain remains even after soaking, sprinkle some table salt over it and rub it with your fingers.
Step 5. Wash clothes after soaking
Wash soaked clothing as usual. If the garment is white, add bleach to the wash. Colored clothing can be washed with oxygen bleach or colored fabric bleach.
Step 6. Dry your clothes
Remove the item from the washing machine and inspect it before placing it in the dryer. The heat can cause the stain to bite even more into the fibers of the fabric, so do not use the dryer until you have completely removed the stain. If the stain is gone, toss the clothes in a dryer or hang them out to dry in the sun.
Method 3 of 3: Removing tea stains from carpet
Step 1. Blot the tea
Blot the spill with a clean, dry towel or rag to absorb the tea. Continue blotting the stain until there is no tea on the carpet.
Pour some water over the stain and blot again to absorb more tea
Step 2. Apply carpet stain remover to the stain
If the rug is colored, look at the label on the back of the stain remover to make sure it can be used on colored fabrics. Apply stain remover to the spill and remove the stain according to the manufacturer's directions.
- Typically, the stain remover needs to be left on the carpet for a while and then blotted with a damp paper towel or rag.
- Continue to the next method if the carpet cleaner did not completely remove the stain.
Step 3. Mix the cleaning solution
Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing 55 ml of white vinegar with 110 ml of water. Dip a clean sponge or rag into the solution and scrub the stain with it. Do not rinse off the vinegar solution for at least 10 minutes.