How to Get Rid of Tea Stains on Plastic Cups

Quck answer

Tea stains on plastic cups can be stubborn, but there are several effective methods to remove them.

1. Baking soda: Make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the stains, and scrub gently. Rinse with water.

2. Lemon juice: Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the stains, let it sit for a few minutes, and scrub with a sponge or brush. Rinse thoroughly.

3. Vinegar: Soak the plastic cups in a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water for a few hours. Scrub the stains with a sponge and rinse well.

4. Dish soap: Apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the stains, scrub with a sponge or brush, and rinse thoroughly.

Remember to always rinse the cups well after using any of these methods to remove the tea stains.


Tea is a hot drink that can leave unattractive brown stains on your beloved plastic cups over time. Traditional cleaning methods like warm water and dish soap are not sufficient to remove this stubborn stain, and scrubbing with steel wool may cause deep scratches. Chlorine bleach is effective but can fade colors and deteriorate the plastic over time. Baking soda is a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative that effectively eliminates most tea stains from plastic cups without any risk of damage.

Step 1

Moisten a cleaning cloth with warm water and sprinkle 2 tbsp. of baking soda onto the cloth.

Step 2

Clean the cup with the cloth, focusing on the stained areas. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry if all the stains have been removed.

Step 3

If washing the cup was not effective, fill the cup with warm water and 2 tbsp. of baking soda.

Step 4

Allow the solution to sit in the cup for half an hour to an hour.

Step 5

Inspect the cup and repeat the process if necessary.

Step 6

Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry once all the stains have disappeared.

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