Tea and coffee stains are among the most common and frustrating to remove. Whether on your favorite clothes or your dishes, these stubborn stains can seem irreversible. Fortunately, with a few simple tips and common household products, you can easily restore the original shine to your textiles and dishes. In this article, we will guide you on how to effectively remove tea and coffee stains, using natural and accessible solutions.
Cleaning a stained fabric
Necessary Materials
- Cold water
- Marseille soap or laundry detergent
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Lemon (optional)
Step 1:
Rinse the stain immediately with cold water to prevent it from penetrating the fabric fibers. Avoid hot water, as it can set the stain.
Step 2:
Gently rub the stain with Marseille soap or a mild laundry detergent. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water.
Step 3:
If the stain persists, sprinkle baking soda on the affected area and add a few drops of water to form a paste. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
Step 4:
For stubborn stains, mix one part white vinegar with two parts cold water. Apply this mixture to the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cold water.
Step 5:
If the stain is still visible, rub it with half a lemon and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. Lemon juice can help lighten stains.
Step 6:
Wash the fabric as usual following the label instructions. Use a stain remover to pretreat the stain if necessary.
Cleaning stained dishes
Necessary Materials
- Hot water
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Sponge or dish brush
- Toothpaste (optional)
Step 1:
Rinse dishes immediately with hot water to prevent the stain from setting.
Step 2:
Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and rub the tea or coffee stain. Baking soda acts as a mild abrasive that helps remove stains without scratching dishes.
Step 3:
If the stain persists, mix one part white vinegar with two parts warm water. Dip a sponge or dishwashing brush into this mixture and scrub the stain. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Step 4:
For stubborn stains, apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste to a damp sponge and rub the stain. Toothpaste contains mild abrasives that can help remove stains. Rinse well with warm water.
Step 5:
Wash dishes as usual with dishwashing liquid to remove any remaining baking soda, vinegar or toothpaste.
With these simple and effective methods, you can easily remove tea or coffee stains from fabric and dishes. The key is to act quickly and use the right products to prevent the stains from setting in.