Spot & Stain Removal Sources for Tea Stains

Hydrogen Peroxide

• A relaxing spot of tea can leave dark stains on your favorite mug or cup. To remove the bothersome stains, Good Housekeeping's Heloise suggests mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide until they form a paste. Pour the mixture into the stained cups and allow them to soak for half an hour or more. Next, rinse out the paste and wash the cups with hot, soapy water.

Teeth Trouble

• The tannins in tea can stain and discolor teeth. Whitening strips or a professional bleaching treatment can correct the problem, but a couple of steps can limit the need for intervention. After every cup you drink, rinse your teeth with water or brush them to remove the tannins, as recommended by Dr. Oz. Also, floss daily to remove plaque so the stain-causing substances in tea can't adhere to it.

Detergent

• One minute, you're enjoying a cup of tea and the next, you're staring at an unsightly stain on the carpet. To remove it, mix half a teaspoon of mild laundry detergent, avoiding anything with bleach or other strong additives, and mix it with a pint of water. Dip a towel in the solution and use it to blot the stain; don't rub it in. Use a clean rag to soak up and remove the tea stain.

Vinegar

• A miracle worker for housecleaning, vinegar fights tough tea stains naturally and effectively. Wet a towel or rag with undiluted vinegar and pat the stain tea with it before washing the item as recommended. For larger or deeper stains, Reader's Digest suggests soaking the item overnight in a mixture of one part cold water to three parts vinegar, then washing it in the morning. Also, try mixing vinegar with an equal amount of salt and rubbing the solution onto stains with a sponge.