How To Remove Tea Stains From Cups With Vinegar

1. After prolonged use, why does tea residue form in teacups?

Tea leaves contain tannins, which become active and dissolve in water when steeped in boiling water. After a while, they undergo oxidation, resulting in a darker color.

At the same time, the molecular structure of tannins changes, forming tannates. Tannates are insoluble in water and have strong adhesion properties. As a result, they adhere to the surface of teacups, forming tea residue.

2. Materials needed:

White vinegar, clean water, a clean cloth or paper towel.

3. Steps:

1) Rinse the teacup with clean water to ensure no other residues on the surface.
2) Pour white vinegar into the teacup, filling about one-third of its capacity.
3) Fill the teacup with clean water. Let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the white vinegar and tea residue to react. If there is a significant amount of tea residue, you can leave it longer.
4) Wipe the inside and outside of the teacup with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove the remaining tea residue and white vinegar.
5) Rinse thoroughly with clean water to ensure no residual vinegar or impurities remain.

4. Why does white vinegar remove tea residue?

Tea residue primarily consists of tea polyphenols (tannates are a type of tea polyphenol) and caffeine, among other substances, which precipitate when they react with water.

Acetic acid in white vinegar is a weak acid that can dissolve and remove sediments. When white vinegar comes into contact with tea residue, the acetic acid reacts with the substances in the tea residue, altering their chemical properties and making them more soluble.

5. Advantages of using white vinegar to remove tea residue:

White vinegar is a natural cleaner that is environmentally friendly and readily available. It is effective, quick, and efficient in removing tea residue. White vinegar is inexpensive, making it suitable for household cleaning purposes.

The surfaces of teaware like Jianzhan ceramics are not as smooth as those of other teacups. Compared to using toothpaste and a brush to scrub away tea residue, white vinegar is less likely to cause damage to the teacup.

6. Precautions:

1) Teacups should be cleaned promptly after use. While the acetic acid in white vinegar generally does not harm teacups, it is advisable to minimize its usage frequency.
2) When using white vinegar to remove tea residue, wear gloves, goggles, and a mask to avoid skin or respiratory irritation from acetic acid.
3) Avoid splashing white vinegar on the skin or in the eyes during the cleaning process. If accidental contact occurs, rinse immediately with clean water.
4) Store white vinegar out of reach of children to prevent accidents.