Remove Coffee Stains from a Mug

Coffee stains are tannin buildup — acid breaks them down fast. Most people scrub with dish soap (doesn't work). Use one of these methods instead:

Method 1: Baking Soda Paste (5 minutes)

1. Mix 2 tbsp baking soda + 1 tbsp water into a paste
2. Spread inside mug, let sit 2-3 minutes
3. Scrub with sponge or dish brush
4. Rinse — stains lift immediately

Method 2: White Vinegar Soak (15 minutes)

1. Fill mug with equal parts white vinegar + hot water
2. Let sit 10-15 minutes
3. Scrub lightly and rinse
4. Works for stubborn/old stains

Method 3: Denture Tablets (overnight, zero effort)

1. Drop 1 denture tablet in mug filled with warm water
2. Leave overnight
3. Rinse in morning — stains gone, no scrubbing

Prevention

Rinse mugs within 30 minutes of finishing coffee. Tannins bond to ceramic over time — fresh stains wipe off with water alone.

Pro tip: For travel mugs with narrow openings, use denture tablets or fill with baking soda + hot water, seal, and shake for 60 seconds. The abrasive action scrubs hard-to-reach areas.