Is your beautiful cup a shadow of its former self and you can no longer clean stubborn traces of coffee and tea? There is only one ingredient you need to know, because it is terribly effective.
No matter how much you scrub and scrub with your best dishwashing detergent, the traces at the bottom of your mug or cup seem indelible. It’s true that tea and coffee are terrible for ceramics. The reason? The presence of tannins, naturally present in these drinks, which easily bind to surfaces and create a thin film which accumulates over time. And the heat of the drink also accentuates the phenomenon by further opening the pores of the mug, which makes it easier for the tannins to adhere. The darker and richer the drink is in tannins, the quicker the stains will appear. In short, traces are inevitable if you do not clean with a suitable product regularly.
But what is the secret to a clean cup like the first day? Forget supermarket cleaning products, a single ingredient that you probably have in your kitchen is enough to eliminate the tannins that clog your ceramics. It is thanks to its natural acidity that lemon will dissolve tea and coffee stains and clean the surface. To do this, simply rub the inside of the mug with a slice of lemon or simply pour lemon juice inside and leave to act before rinsing with hot water. This method is risk-free provided that the mug is enameled and has no painted decoration. On raw ceramic or unglazed terracotta mugs, lemon can be too aggressive and damage the surface by leaving marks.
To prevent stains from returning too quickly, immediately rinse your mug with hot water after drinking your tea or coffee. This way, the tannins will not attach to the surface. Cleaning with a soft sponge and dishwashing liquid helps prevent buildup, but you can also schedule cleaning with baking soda once a week.
Finally, know that the ultimate solution to avoid stains is to choose a glass or stainless steel mug, because these materials are less porous than ceramic and retain less tannins.
