Baking soda, a common kitchen cupboard item, can remove baked-on brown stains from mugs in less than 10 minutes, according to a DIY expert. The stains are caused by tannins, a compound found in tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.
Why mugs get stained
Tannins give many favourite drinks their flavour, but they can bind tightly to the tiny pores in ceramic, so they do not easily wash away. Tannins react with oxygen once a mug is dry, which can make the stain darker and cause it to cling more tightly to the surface.
Melissa, the co-founder and DIY expert behind Creative Contessa Designs, said: "The answer is Baking Soda! Sprinkle baking soda into the mug. Add a little water to make a paste, [and] scrub it with your hand or a scrub brush."
Melissa added: "Your mugs will look brand new! It's that simple."
How the method works
Baking soda is mildly alkaline, which can disrupt the bond between the stain and the mug, making it easier to clean. It is also abrasive, and its fine particles will gently scrub the loosened brown stain, breaking it down without needing to keep washing it.
This method avoids soaking mugs for ages or using a harsh chemical solution to bleach them.
Step-by-step cleaning guide
Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda to a stained mug. Pour a small amount of warm water into the mug and mix with a spoon until a thick paste forms.
Use a cloth to gently rub the paste into the stain for about 30 seconds, then leave the mug to sit for five minutes. This gives the baking soda time to break down the stain.
Once the time is up, wash the mug as you normally would with washing-up liquid, and the stain should be completely gone with minimal effort. If the stain is particularly stubborn, repeat the process or leave it to sit longer than five minutes.
