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May 11, 2023

‘Better than bleach’ cleaning method to remove tea cup stains in 10 minutes for 3p

If not cleaned straight after drinking a hot beverage, cups and mugs can become

If not cleaned straight after drinking a hot beverage, cups and mugs can become stained with brown marks due to the tannins found in teas.

While cleaning them with hot soapy water will make them clean, the brown marks can be annoying.

Posting on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page, Tia Macaulay wrote: "Does anyone know how to get rid of tea stains in a mug? I have a lovely Cath Kidston mug but I can't budge the stains.

"I also can't put it in the dishwasher. I’ve tried soaking it in boiling water with washing up liquid and it's not worked."

The post attracted various comments recommending different tips and tricks, including denture tablets.

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Sophie Jackson commented: "Denture tablets are amazing. Don't use bleach as it will damage the glaze and will stain worse."

Sonia Alden wrote: "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 better than bleach, does the job perfectly.

"I prefer to buy the minty denture tablets as then I can smell if the tablet has lingered a bit and I need to wash the cup a bit more."

Harriet Young commented: "My nan recommended using denture tablets as she uses them for her teeth but also around the house for literally everything. They work so well and are just so cheap."

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Lots of other group members also recommended denture tablets, saying the woman should place one in a mug with hot water.

This will result in the tablet fizzing and working to remove the brown stain. It is advised to leave the mixture to work for at least 10 minutes.

Denture tablets can be picked up from various retailers including Sainsbury's 30 pack for just £1.

This means each mug will cost around 3p to clean, much cheaper than alternative cleaning methods.

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Hard dishwasher tablets can be used in the same way to remove stubborn marks, although this may work out slightly more expensive than denture tablets.

Dishwasher tablets are designed to tackle hard water, remove stains and dissolve grease so are perfect for mug marks.

Bosch recommends adding some rinse aid into the dishwasher if your appliance isn't removing mug stains. The experts added: "Sometimes a cool wash just won't do.

"By increasing the temperature of the wash cycle, stains and detergents dissolve better. This can lead to improved cleaning results as well as more hygienic washes."

To target stains, such as those from tea or sauce, the experts recommended using an eco wash of 50C. Sometimes the spray arms of the dishwasher can also get blocked, which would interrupt the water flow, resulting in dirty cups, mugs and dishes.