Mugs become stained and unsightly due to a natural compound found in tea and coffee (Image: Getty)
Nothing is more embarrassing than offering a guest a cup of tea only to discover your mugs are stained, but there is a simple way to clean them in just 10 minutes.
Mugs become stained due to a natural compound called tannins, which is found in coffee and tea. Tannins easily bind to surfaces and cause discolouration.
It is important to mugs as soon as you notice any brown rings or marks, as tannins can trap residue and cause bacteria to grow if they are not washed properly.
Ivelina Minkova, an expert from , has shared there is one unusual yet incredibly effective way to remove tough stains without having to scrub at the mug for ages.
She said: “Plain old white toothpaste is not just good for whitening your teeth. You can also use it to remove coffee and tea stains from your favourite mug.
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A simple way to get mugs sparkling clean again is to wash them with toothpaste (Image: Getty)
“Toothpaste contains mild abrasives like calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, magnesium carbonates, phosphate salts and silicates that remove residual surface stains. The stain removal mechanism is quite similar to what happens when you brush your teeth daily.”
It may seem bizarre, but toothpaste is mildly abrasive, so it can lift stains without scratching the mug.
Toothpaste also brightens teeth, so it will make a surface look shinier and whiter after cleaning with it.
Whitening toothpastes tend to be the best choice as they are more likely to contain ingredients that can easily break down stains.
This is a simple way to remove tough stains using an item you likely already have at home or having to waste energy with a dishwasher.
This unusual cleaning trick will get mugs clean in 10 minutes (Image: Getty)
How to use toothpaste to remove stains from mugs
All you need to do is wipe a generous amount of toothpaste over the stained mug surface.
Make sure the paste gets into the bottom and curves in the mug.
Let the toothpaste sit for 10 minutes to give it time to break down the stains.
Use a clean dish towel and warm water to wipe the mug, and the stains should easily come away.
Rinse out the mug with tap water, dry it and your mug should not be completely spotless.