How to remove coffee stains from mugs?

Abigail Ellis
by Abigail Ellis
One of my favorite mugs has seen better days. Anyway to remove the staining from years of coffee and tea? Or is it just time to chuck it?

  14 answers
  • PJ Wise PJ Wise on Sep 07, 2017

    If a paste of straight baking soda and water and a soft sponge doesn't work, try using soaking the mugs in soda and warm vinegar (white or apple). If this doesn't work, try a denture tablet. Try to stay on top of the stains with a treatment of baking soda every week or so.

    • Ladynred Ladynred on Sep 07, 2017

      I have trouble with a ring on the inside clsoe to the rim. i also use baking soda and it works great! i just pour some inside the wet cup and use a wet dish cloth to scrub it off.

  • Jennifer Helen Wilson Jennifer Helen Wilson on Sep 07, 2017

    Fill almost to brim with warm/hot water. A few drops of bleach in water. Soak 'til stain lifted. Use scourer/sponge to wipe out during rinse, wash, rinse... Hope this helps.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Sep 07, 2017

    Bar Keepers Friend

  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Sep 07, 2017

    I use this one on my mugs, and glass coffee pot. Pour a small amount of bleach in each cup and fill with hot tap water. Let it sit 1 hr, and that's it, rinse and wash with dish detergent. Good Luck!

  • Leonard Krell Leonard Krell on Sep 07, 2017

    Use. CLR

  • AdamTomBar AdamTomBar on Sep 07, 2017

    Bleach is the fastest and best way . just put 2 Tbs of bleach with 1 cups of water , and let it sit 10 minutes and transfer to the next mug. ( no need to throw away.) same method is great for all tea stain and color food stain l.

  • Reva Reva on Sep 07, 2017

    I use 1/4 cup bleach do not add any water, put in one mug at a time swish around in each mug pour into next mug repeat until all mugs are bleached. Wash and rinse they will be like new.

  • Donna Noack Donna Noack on Sep 07, 2017

    I use baking soda and vinegar. Let it sit for several hours. Rinse and wash.

  • Anthony Anthony on Sep 07, 2017

    A little bleach should do the trick...just make sure that you clean the mug with soapy hot water after.

  • David David on Sep 07, 2017

    This happened to me, and what really happened is the glaze from the old mug degraded and the stain was in the material of the mug. Because you may not know what the mug was made of, it may be time to chuck it or find a neat project use for the mug.


  • James James on Sep 07, 2017

    all of the above are good suggestions, especially the paste of baking soda and white vinegar. I have used this many times, however, The Dollar Tree, has a product called Awesome, (not to be confused with totally awesome products) it is a yellowish color and cleans everything from stains to concrete. maybe a last resort. good luck.

  • Chubby58 Chubby58 on Sep 07, 2017

    I have a Christmas mug (large) that I used all year round that was stained so bad from tea, that I finally broke down and poured a little bleach in it and filled it with water, let it sit for a day or two and poof! stains gone. Wash well afterwards.

  • Julie Johnson Julie Johnson on Sep 08, 2017

    Greased lightening also works great on coffee stains, no need to soak on most just spray a small amount on a paper towel and wipe away! I had a heavily greasy plastic bottle which I did just that and the grease wiped away!! I love it to soak and clean my stove burner plates, works great. You can buy it at the dollar stores too!!

  • Liz Ahl Liz Ahl on Sep 08, 2017

    I use a little bleach and soak it, works great.