Cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie, known as the 'Queen of Clean' and a regular on ITV's This Morning, has shared a surprising household hack to banish stubborn stains from dirty dishes. Instead of reaching for washing-up liquid, she recommends using a used teabag from your morning cuppa.
The Power of Tannins
Speaking to Yours magazine, Crombie explained: "Rather than use washing up liquid to clean a dirty baking dish, fill it up with water and add a used teabag, leaving it to soak. The ingredient, tannin, will lift all the stains." Tannins are natural compounds found in tea that help break down grease, grime, and stuck-on food.
To use the hack, fill the dirty baking dish with water and drop in a used teabag while you eat your meal. The tannins work during the soak, making rinsing easier. Crombie demonstrated the trick on Instagram, saying: "Tea has been used for cleaning for centuries, thanks to the power of tannins. TRUST me, this simple trick really works."
Limitations and Additional Tips
While used teabags effectively lift baked-on residue, they are not a replacement for washing-up liquid when sanitising or removing heavy grease. Crombie also shared other household cleaning uses: mayonnaise can remove rings from wooden coffee tables due to its oil content, and lemon remnants in dishwater add sparkle and aid descaling.
On This Morning, Crombie advised tackling clothing stains like ketchup, tea, and coffee with cold water. "Don't use hot water... it sets the stain even more," she warned. She recommended dampening the fabric with cold water, applying washing-up liquid directly, rubbing it in, then machine washing.
