Not bleach, not lemon juice: this one kitchen powder lifts tea stains from mugs in 60 seconds

Every kitchen has them: the “clean” mugs you keep turning to the back of the cupboard. The inside is lined with a brown shadow where hundreds of cups of tea have left their mark. You’ve tried extra washing-up liquid, hotter water, even a soak in bleach or a rub with lemon and salt. The stain fades a little, but a ghostly ring always seems to remain.

There is, however, a pantry ingredient that cuts through those tannin stains in under a minute. No harsh fumes, no overnight soak, no scratching the glaze with a scouring pad. Just a spoonful of a common white powder and a splash of water.

The 60‑second mug reset making the rounds

The trick has spread quietly through cleaning forums and group chats. People share before‑and‑after photos of mugs that looked ready for the charity shop, now back to a clean, pale interior. The method is almost suspiciously simple, which is exactly why it’s catching on.

It doesn’t rely on bleach, and it skips the usual “rub with half a lemon” advice. Instead, the magic comes from a kitchen staple normally reserved for baking and odour control. Used as a fast paste, it breaks up the film of tannins that clings to ceramic and glass.

One teaspoon, one minute, light pressure: that’s the entire routine.

The star ingredient: bicarbonate of soda

In most UK cupboards it’s labelled “bicarbonate of soda” or simply “bicarb”. Chemically, it’s sodium bicarbonate, a mild alkaline powder that reacts gently with acids and loosens certain types of stains. On mugs, it works less by fizzing and more by changing how the stain grips the surface.

Unlike bleach, it doesn’t strip colour by oxidation, and unlike lemon juice, it doesn’t rely on acid to etch away residue. Instead, the fine, soft particles act as a very gentle micro‑abrasive while the alkalinity helps lift the tea and coffee film. Used correctly, it’s kind to most glazes and does not leave a strong smell.

Step‑by‑step: how to clear stains in under a minute

You do not need hot water, specialist cloths or elbow‑destroying scrubbing. A teaspoon and a damp cloth will do.

1. Rinse and drain the mug. Empty any leftover drink and give the mug a quick rinse so the surface is damp but not full of water.
   
2. Sprinkle bicarbonate inside. Add about ½ to 1 teaspoon of bicarb directly onto the stained area. Tilt the mug so the powder clings to the worst rings.
   
3. Add a few drops of water. Drip a little cold or warm water on the powder until it becomes a spreadable paste, not a thin liquid.
   
4. Buff the stains. Using your fingers, a soft cloth or a non‑scratch sponge, rub the paste around the inside of the mug in small circles for 20–40 seconds, focusing on dark lines.
   
5. Rinse thoroughly. Wash the mug as normal with washing‑up liquid, then rinse well to remove all residue.
   
6. Inspect and repeat if needed. Very old, heavy staining might need a second 30‑second pass, but most day‑to‑day rings lift first time.

The key is paste, not slurry: too much water and the powder just swirls around without doing much work.

Why this works better than bleach or lemon

Tea stains are mostly tannins and other organic colour compounds that bond to tiny imperfections in the cup’s surface. Over time, this builds up into the beige film that no normal wash seems to touch.

• Bicarbonate’s fine grain gives you just enough physical “bite” to shift the film without scratching standard ceramic glaze or glass.
  
• Its mild alkalinity helps loosen and disperse the tannin layer so it can be carried away when you rinse.
  
• No harsh fumes means you can clean a full batch of mugs at the sink without stinging eyes or worrying about splashes on clothes.

Bleach may lighten the colour temporarily but doesn’t always lift the film itself, and its fumes are unpleasant in a small kitchen. Lemon juice, being acidic, works well on limescale but is less effective on tannin unless combined with a lot of scrubbing.

Cost, speed and what you actually need

A standard 200–300 g tub of bicarbonate of soda from a supermarket or discount shop often costs between 60p and £1.50. For mug cleaning, you’ll only use a small spoonful at a time.

Item	Typical use per mug	Approximate cost per mug*
Bicarbonate of soda	½–1 tsp	Less than 1p
Bleach solution	A capful in a bowl	2–4p plus ventilation
Specialised “tea stain” tablets	1 tablet	10–30p

*Based on common UK supermarket prices at typical promotional rates.

Because bicarb is food‑safe in small quantities, any minute residue after a rinse is far less worrying than diluted bleach clinging around the lip of a mug.

Where and how to use it safely

Bicarbonate of soda is gentle, but not every surface and decoration is created equal. A little thought prevents dull patches or damaged finishes.

• Safe on: glazed ceramic mugs, plain white china, glass mugs, most stainless‑steel travel cups (inside only).
  
• Use with caution on: matt glazes, hand‑painted designs, metallic trims and printed logos; test a small patch first and rub lightly.
  
• Avoid heavy scrubbing on: delicate bone china with gilding, vintage pieces where the glaze is already crazed or damaged.

For reusable plastic cups and flasks, a bicarb paste can help, but staining often penetrates the material slightly. You may see improvement rather than a return to “like new”.

A quick routine for heavy tea drinkers

If your household runs on tea, stains come back fast. A small, regular habit prevents the return of that permanent brown band.

• Once a week, line up the worst‑looking mugs at the sink.
  
• Sprinkle a pinch of bicarb in each, add a few drops of water and let them sit while you wash up.
  
• Give each mug a 30‑second buff as you go, rinse and drain.
  

This “tea reset” takes a few minutes in total and keeps the whole cupboard looking fresher. It also helps any guests avoid the awkward “Is this mug actually clean?” moment.

Limits, mixtures and what not to do

Bicarb is widely used for DIY cleaning, which encourages people to throw every trick at once into the sink. A few no‑go combinations and expectations are worth noting.

• Do not mix with bleach. Bicarb itself is not dangerous, but adding multiple cleaners increases the risk that bleach ends up combined with acids (such as vinegar or lemon), releasing irritating chlorine gas.
  
• Do not expect it to disinfect. It helps lift stains and some residues but is not a registered disinfectant. If you need disinfection – after illness, for example – wash, then use an appropriate product according to its instructions.
  
• Do not over‑scrub fragile cups. Let the paste and light motion do the work; bearing down hard adds risk without much extra benefit.

If a mug remains stubbornly marked after two or three gentle passes, the stain may have penetrated hairline cracks in the glaze. At that point, the change is mostly cosmetic; the surface will never be bright white again.

If you prefer other pantry options

Bicarbonate is the fastest for most people, but a couple of related options exist if you are out of it.

• Coarse salt + washing‑up liquid: a basic scourer for robust mugs, but grittier and more likely to leave micro‑scratches.
  
• Oxygen‑based stain powders (sodium percarbonate): good for soaking a whole batch of badly stained mugs in hot water, but slower and uses more product.
  

For daily use, however, a small tub of bicarb by the sink wins on simplicity. It doubles up for deodorising the fridge, freshening chopping boards and boosting certain cleaning jobs, so it rarely goes to waste.

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FAQ:
- Will bicarbonate of soda scratch my mugs? On normal glazed ceramic and glass, used as a soft paste with light pressure, it is very unlikely to scratch. Avoid vigorous scrubbing on delicate, matt or decorated finishes and test a small area first.
- Does this work for coffee stains as well as tea? Yes, it lifts both tea and coffee residues, although very dark, old coffee stains may need a second short treatment.
- Can I just leave bicarb and water in the mug to soak? A brief soak softens light stains, but the real benefit comes from gently rubbing the paste. A long soak alone is slower and often less effective.
- Is it safe for children’s cups and mugs? Yes, provided you rinse thoroughly afterwards. Bicarbonate of soda is food‑grade, and any traces left after a good rinse are generally considered safe.
- How often should I do this? For regular tea drinkers, a quick bicarb clean once every week or two keeps mugs bright. For occasional use, simply treat mugs when you start to see a visible ring.