How to Care for Porcelain Teapots

Clean a porcelain teapot that you use regularly once a week. Combine two tablespoons of dish soap with about one-half gallon of warm water in a large basin. Soak the teapot for 20 minutes before gently washing it with a soft, non-metallic sponge.

Combine one-quarter cup of baking soda with four cups of warm, clean water. Stir the mixture to make a thin paste. Wash the inside and outside of the porcelain teapot gently, using a soft sponge. While baking soda is slightly abrasive, it is safe to use on porcelain. This process should not be done frequently; it should be reserved for deep cleaning.

Fill a large saucepan or stockpot halfway with clean water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Remove the saucepan or stockpot from the stove top, and allow the water to cool for one to two minutes. Place the porcelain teapot in the center of the saucepan or stockpot, and allow the water to cool completely to help remove any stuck-on particles of food.

Combine one cup of distilled white vinegar with three cups of clean water in a large saucepan, and bring the mixture to the boil. Fill the teapot with the boiling mixture, and gently stir it. Allow the mixture to stay in the teapot until it is completely cool to help remove all mineral deposits. Rinse and dry the teapot well.