Hot beverages like tea and coffee leave stubborn brown stains on mugs due to tannins. These marks are harmless but unsightly, particularly when serving guests.
Effective Cleaning Solution from Community Tips
Tia Macaulay sought advice on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook group for removing tea stains from her favorite Cath Kidston mug, noting that soaking in boiling water and washing-up liquid failed, and the item could not go in the dishwasher.
Group members overwhelmingly recommended denture tablets. Sonia Alden shared: “I use denture tablets and boiling water. Let it sit for a bit and then wash as normal. It is much safer than bleach and does the job perfectly. I prefer to buy the minty denture tablets as then I can smell if the tablet has lingered for a bit and I need to wash the cup a bit more.”
Harriet Young added that her grandmother used denture tablets for teeth and household tasks alike: “They work so well and are so cheap.”
Joanne Westwood described it as an “old trick I learned years ago from my nan. Cleans teaspoons up a treat too.” She advised dissolving a tablet in hot water and soaking the mug for about 10 minutes, repeating if needed—usually once suffices.
Affordable and Accessible
Denture tablets cost as little as 3p each and are available at supermarkets, Boots, Amazon, and stores like Home Bargains.
Other Options
Some suggested scrubbing with table salt to lift stains. For specialized cleaners, Astonish Clean and Revive restores mugs and crockery, while Elbow Grease offers a similar product targeting brown marks.
