Cleaning Coffee Stains From Mugs

Regular coffee drinkers stand out in a crowd because of their stained coffee cups and perplexed looks that beg to know how to remove coffee stains from mugs. If you are one of those coffee drinkers and have wondered how to get your mug clean, look no further. The brown stains are unsightly and difficult to remove. Sometimes they become so bad that scrubbing in soapy water does not remove them. Most mugs will be stain free with the use of basic kitchen products and a little scrubbing power.

The stains are  a combination of hard water, chemicals called tannins, and microscopically rough glaze surfaces. These conditions allow the stains to strongly adhere to the glaze surface. The staining is usually worse in the base of the mug or where there is a sharp corner to hold on to the stain.

• Baking soda
• Water
• Clean rag
• Salt
• White vinegar
• Dishwasher detergent
• Denture tablet

1. Clean coffee stains from mugs by making a baking soda paste. Pour one tablespoon of baking soda into a small bowl and add enough water to make a paste. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda paste to a damp, clean rag or sponge and gently rub the coffee stain. The paste acts as a gentle abrasive to remove coffee stains from mugs. Rinse the mug with clean water when finished.
2. Clean coffee stains that remain by mixing a vinegar and salt paste. Place one tablespoon of salt in a small bowl and add enough white vinegar to make a paste. Apply 1 to 2 teaspoons of the paste to a clean, damp rag and gently scrub the mug. The salt acts as an abrasive while the vinegar naturally bleaches the stain to remove coffee stains from mugs. Rinse with clean water when finished.
3. Clean coffee stains from mugs with a stubborn stain by using dishwasher detergent. Fill the stained mug with boiling water and add two tablespoons of dishwasher detergent. Gently stir the contents and let it soak in overnight. Rinse the mug the next morning with clean water.
4. Clean coffee stains from mugs with denture tablets. Place two denture tablets in the stained mug and pour in hot water. Let the mug soak overnight. The tablet will whiten the ceramic in the same manner as cleaning dentures. Rinse the mug the next morning with clean water.