How to remove tea stains from plastic

Tea stains may seem immune to the typical way of cleaning with dish soap and scrubbing, but it’s not completely hopeless. There are other ways you can remove tea stains from your favorite plastic cups.

To avoid damaging your plasticware, try removing tea stains with milder techniques, such as using a rag, salt, and warm water to get rid of the tea stains. Using baking soda, denture tablets, and cascade plastic booster will also minimize discoloration from tea stains on plastic.

Removing tea stains using salt and a cleaning rag

In the kitchen, we commonly use plastic. You can use it as storage, a cutting board, and as cookware utensils. As we use it so often, getting stains on plastic is unavoidable, especially tea stains. There are a few ways to remove tea stains from your plasticware, so let’s start with the simplest one.

 You’ll only need cleaning rags, salt, and water.

1. Using a wet cloth, moisten the plastic. Rub the cloth on the stained area.
2. Put some salt on the tea stains. You can directly put the salt if the surface is flat. But, if the cup is curved, use a rag to place the salt on the stains.
3. Use gentle pressure and scrub the tea stains with the salt. Since the salt will dissolve, you don’t need to worry about scratches. The tea stains will disappear as you rub.
4. Rinse it thoroughly using warm water.

Use baking soda paste to remove tea stains

Your cleanest cup can look dirty because of tea stains. But if you respond quickly, you lessen the risk of ruining the plastic. Using baking soda paste to remove tea stains is another practical and effortless approach. Follow the process below to achieve the best results.

1. Make a solution by mixing baking soda and water. Put an equal amount of each ingredient in a bowl.
2. Put the baking soda paste on the stained area. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
3. To clean the plastic, use a wet cloth. Wipe the stained spot in a gentle circular motion.
4. Wash and rinse the area thoroughly with water.
5. Dry it using a clean towel.

Denture tablets can also remove tea stains from plastic

Removing discoloration from dentures is what denture tablets are good at. And, it also works well on plastic materials. It’s simple and easy to do.

1. Use hot water to dissolve two denture tablets in a bowl or cup. Stir it thoroughly.
2. Prepare the stained plastic, pour the mixture on it. Allow it to stay on the stained area for five to ten minutes. Wait until you see the tea stains start to dissolve.
3. Once the tea stains are no longer visible, wash your plasticware well using dish soap to remove any residue from the denture tablets.
4. Rinse your plastic container thoroughly and get a clean cloth to dry it completely.

The best stain removal for plastic is cascade plastic booster

Waiting a week or two to wash your plastic teacups will eventually lead to stains. If the stain is darker in color, it means that it has already settled in your plastic. At this point, you need to generate more ways to treat the stained area. 

One of the best products that can remove tea stains is a cascade plastic booster. It’s easy to use, and you can also buy it online.

To remove old tea stains from the plastic, follow these steps:

1. Pre-wash the plastic by letting it soak in water.
2. Put a small amount of cascade plastic booster and dishwashing liquid in a cup. Mix the two solutions thoroughly.
3. If you have a dishwasher, set it in the hottest and longest cycle. Place it in the heavy wash setting and turn on the temperature boost. Make sure that you don’t put any other dishes inside.
4. Wait for the cycle to complete. After this, you no longer have the problem with your plastic tea stains.
5. If you don’t have a dishwasher, don’t worry because you can always do it the traditional way. Get ready and put some gloves on.
6. Put the mixture in the stained area, wait for a few minutes before you scrub it. Vertically wash the stained area. Use a little bit of force in doing this if you are dealing with old tea stains from plastics.
7. Continue scrubbing until the tea stains are no longer visible, rinse the plastic thoroughly with water.
8. Use a microfiber cloth to dry the plasticware.

Common questions about tea stains on plastic

Can I use vinegar to get rid of the tea stains from plastic?

Yes, you can. Vinegar is a great universal stain remover. You can start by preparing a solution of distilled water and white vinegar. Soak your stained plastic container in the mixture for 30 minutes or overnight. You’ll see the difference as you check your plastic container in the morning. Wash it thoroughly to remove the vinegar residue, making your plasticware good as new.

Are tea stains on plastic permanent?

Tea stains can become permanent if you leave them on your plasticware for a long period. That’s why it’s best to get rid of the stains before they become permanent. All you need to do is be observant of your kitchen tools. Make sure that you clean them regularly. The older the stains, the more challenging it is to handle them.

What causes tea stains in plastic cups?

The reason why your plastic cups are vulnerable to tea stains is because of what they’re made of. Tea has tannins in it, which lead to staining. Tannins are commonly used in ink and leather production and for dyeing materials. Plastic, on the other hand, is naturally absorbent and prone to stains. Try using the processes above to avoid staining your favorite plastic cup.

Final Thoughts

Your plasticware plays an essential role in your kitchen. You use it in chopping meat or vegetables or enjoying a cup of tea. However, you need to be cautious when taking care of it. Prevention is always better than allowing stains to ruin your favorite plasticware. But if you somehow stained your favorite plasticware, don’t worry as you can remove them with any of the methods mentioned above. Never settle with tea-stained plasticware ever again and enjoy your afternoon tea with ease.