It’s true, we really are a nation of tea drinkers - getting through around 165 million cups EVERY SINGLE DAY! We’ve been drinking it here in the UK for nearly 400 years now… and that means for 400 years we’ve also been tackling testy tea stains!
tricky tannins.
But what makes tea stain so well? Tannins.
Tannins are plant-based compounds found in tea (especially black teas which have the highest concentration) that like to bind to the fibres in our clothing, leaving behind some pretty serious stains.
Luckily they can be tackled, especially if you move fast and there’s a good chance you’ll have what you need already sitting in your kitchen cupboards.
Whichever method you choose below, just remember these 2 golden rules:
- Don’t use hot water or tumble dry your stain. Heat can set it further into the fabric.
- Read the clothing care label to know if the removal method is safe for your item.
5 tried and tested ways to remove tea stains from clothes.
1. stain gel.
- Rinse the reverse side of the stain under cold running water for 1 minute.
- Apply smol stain gel directly to the stain and gently pat into the fabric.
- Leave the stain gel to act for 5 minutes.
- Wash your clothing as usual according to care label instructions.
Top Tip: always use a cool wash setting, 20°C is good but certainly don’t go hotter than 40°C.
2. clear vinegar.
- Rinse the reverse side of the stain under cold running water for 1 minute.
- Apply white vinegar (not brown vinegar) to the wet stain.
- Leave the vinegar to act for about 30 minutes.
- Rinse the stain under cold running water and wash as usual if you need to.
Top Tip: This method is a good one to use for any older tea stains. The ascetic acid in vinegar works very well on a variety of stubborn stains.
3. bicarbonate of soda.
- Rinse the reverse side of the stain under cold running water for 1 minute.
- Mix a few teaspoons of bicarb with a little water to make a paste.
- Apply the paste to your stain and leave it to act for 30 minutes.
- Rinse the stain under cold running water and wash as usual if you need to.
Top Tip: avoid the tumble dryer after washing your clothing because the heat might set in any residue that is left. Always try to line dry.
4. lemon juice.
- Rinse the reverse side of the stain under cold running water for 1 minute.
- Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the stain.
- Gently pat the juice into the fibres using a clean cloth.
- Rinse the stain under cold running water and wash as usual if you need to.
Top tip: you can leave the lemon juice to act overnight if your fabric allows.
5. laundry detergent.
- Rinse the reverse side of the stain under warm running water for 1 minute.
- Add a few drops of smol laundry detergent to the stain on both sides.
- Gently rub the detergent until it foams.
- Rinse the stain under cold running water and wash as usual if you need to.
Top Tip: run the stained under warm (but not hot) water this time to help the detergent work well.
Don’t forget the 2 golden rules for tea stains above whichever your preferred stain removal method. And good luck!
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