If you've ever noticed your favourite teacup, mug, or teapot has some brown staining after drinking tea, don't panic. It's perfectly normal for ceramics to pick up some stains now and then. This is due to the natural tannins in tea, which give the drink its colour and taste. Over time, the tannins cause brown staining on porous surfaces like ceramic.
Tea stains won't damage your teaware or affect the taste of your drink, but they can look unsightly. Luckily, they're not too difficult to remove once you know how. In this guide, we'll share our top tips on how to remove tea stains from cups, using simple ingredients and gentle techniques to keep your ceramic teaware looking its best. If you're more of a coffee drinker, these tips will help remove coffee stains from cups, too.
Dishwasher
The easiest way to clean your Burleighware is in the dishwasher. It might come as a surprise, but our pottery is completely dishwasher-safe. Running them through a cycle can help prevent tea staining from occurring. Just be sure to use the eco setting or a low temperature for your Burleighware and stick to biodegradable, plastic-free tablets.
Store-bought cleaners
To clean tough tea stains from cups, an oxalic acid-based or mild abrasive cleaner like Bar Keeper’s Friend can work wonders. It’s particularly effective on stubborn rings or discolouration that normal washing won’t remove.
Simply wet the stained cup or teapot and sprinkle a small amount of powder onto the stain. Use a soft cloth or sponge to scrub the stain gently, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Always test any cleaning method on an inconspicuous area first.
Homemade cleaners
There are a few alternative methods you could try to get rid of tea stains, though they are generally less effective and are best for very mild staining.
Baking soda paste
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Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a little water to form a paste.
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Apply the paste to the stain using a soft cloth or sponge.
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Gently rub in circular motions.
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Rinse thoroughly with warm water and wash as usual.
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Repeat if needed for deeper stains.
White vinegar soak
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Fill the cup with warm water.
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Add a splash of white vinegar.
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Leave the cup to soak for 10–20 minutes.
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Rinse well and wash as usual.
Note: This method works best on lighter or newer stains.
Lemon wedge
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Cut a fresh lemon in half.
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Rub the cut side directly onto the stained areas.
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Allow the juice to sit for 5–10 minutes.
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Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
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Wash with dish soap and dry.
Lemon is safe for all glazed ceramics and adds a fresh scent, but it may require repeated applications for older or set-in stains. For tougher stains, combining lemon juice with a sprinkle of baking soda can provide a slightly stronger scrubbing effect.
Denture tablets
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Fill the stained cup with warm water.
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Drop in one denture cleaning tablet and let it dissolve.
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Leave the cup to soak for 15–30 minutes.
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Rinse thoroughly with warm water and wash with dish soap.
This method works best for removing light to moderate tea stains. While it’s safe for most glazed ceramics, it’s not as effective on deeply set or very old stains.
Can you use bleach to remove tea stains from cups?
Although you could use bleach to remove tea stains from cups, we wouldn't recommend it. While bleach can sometimes be effective, gentler methods such as baking soda, vinegar, or Bar Keeper’s Friend are usually safer and more reliable.
How to clean a teapot
The methods above can be used to remove stains from a teapot, though it can be a little more challenging due to the shape of the pottery. The spout is one of the trickiest parts of a teapot to clean, as tannins and limescale often build up where you can’t see them. Whichever method you choose to use to clean tea stains, a narrow bottle brush or straw brush will make it much easier to reach inside the spout.
With these easy tips, your Burleigh Pottery coffee cups, teacups, and teapots will stay beautifully clean and stain-free. Most Burleighware is dishwasher safe, making regular care and cleaning simple, so you can enjoy the perfect cup every time. For tips on making a flawless brew, explore our step-by-step guide to making tea.