Clean and Clutter-free: Cleaning coffee mugs

Forum: Clean and Clutter-free Replies: 42, Views: 281 Print -

Author Content sedum37 Westford, MA (Zone 5b) May 9, 2007 11:57 AM Post #3480109 Anyone have any suggestions to clean coffee mugs stained with coffee/tea residue? The stains seem to be difficult to remove and even a dishwasher doesn't seem to work to remove them. andidandi May 9, 2007 12:03 PM Post #3480119 Make a paste from baking soda and water and apply to your sponge or scrub brush. The residue will come out easily. masgard Caseyville, IL (Zone 6a) May 9, 2007 12:12 PM Post #3480142 Try Mr.Clean Magic Sponges, took the stains in mineral deposits off mine. red_princess_71 Lilesville, NC (Zone 7b) May 9, 2007 12:14 PM Post #3480147 You can also use those Mr Clean Magic Erasers Sponges that have clorox in them..i love them, i use them on everything and anything. Click the image for an enlarged view. ecrane3 Dublin, CA (Zone 9a) May 9, 2007 4:33 PM Post #3480892 The Mr. Clean erasers don't have Clorox in them...different companies! I don't know what the cleaner is that's in them but it's not Clorox. GiddyMoon Carmichael, CA May 9, 2007 4:49 PM Post #3480963 You can also try Bar Keeper's Friend. sedum37 Westford, MA (Zone 5b) May 10, 2007 6:38 AM Post #3482710 Thanks for all the ideas! I will try the baking soda and look for the other products you've mentioned. Boy do I hate those stains! Sue Yuska San Antonio, TX (Zone 8b) May 10, 2007 9:20 AM Post #3483225 I use Comet cleanser and a nylon covered sponge, then just wash with the rest of the dishes. Pinita Annandale, VA May 11, 2007 2:15 PM Post #3486891 Hi Sedum37: The best advice of all the above is this very simple. In one instant you will remove all coffee stains. The name is "Brillo" Wet the brillo and wet the coffee mug. You will be happy. Rosa MissTexasKitty Canton, TX May 14, 2007 12:46 AM Post #3495154 I would dilute about a tablespoon of bleach, with the mug of water, let it sit 2-3 hours,and rinse, if the stain was still there, I use a little baking soda on a dishrag to get it out. Just don't rush the bleaching action, and use warm water to start with in the mug or cup. gloria125 Greensboro, AL May 16, 2007 2:28 PM Post #3504075 I use a magic sponge with baking soda. some times I squirt in some dishwasher detergent and dilute with hot water and let soak. WUVIE Hulbert, OK (Zone 7a) May 16, 2007 9:54 PM Post #3505581 In our house, all kidding aside, the easiest way to remove those stains is to set them in the sink, squirt them down with Clorox Clean Up and come back ten minutes later, then rinse them. Yep, it's that easy. Tea Makers, same thing. You would be amazed at how spotless Clorox Clean Up gets things. Just squirt down the offending stained item and come back in a bit. :-) Karen Marie masgard Caseyville, IL (Zone 6a) May 17, 2007 12:11 AM Post #3506122 Wuvie, isn't Clorox Cleanup the best thing since sliced bread? I get the one and a half gallon refills from Sam's and still can't keep enough in the house. Do you get white spots on all of your shirts, or am I just too gungho with the stuff? WUVIE Hulbert, OK (Zone 7a) May 17, 2007 10:55 AM Post #3507116 Oh, Mas, I am a Clorox Clean Up addict! Yep, the Sam's club jugs are sitting in our pantry closet right now...LOL. As for the white spots, I have to laugh, because I do that all the time. I mentioned to hubby just last week that I really need to buy an apron for just such a problem, either that or put on a shirt specifically for such a job. But I'm one of those bounce from one to the next project types, so changing clothes for a job is usually not in order unless I plan to get piggy. :-) greenlawn Albany, GA (Zone 8b) May 17, 2007 5:45 PM Post #3508475 love both the magic eraser and the clorox cleanup. if it has bleach in it, i will try it! the magic eraser has even removed sharpie from the wall. i've even used it onour old tub that needs to be refinished and it cleans it up.glad to see that there are other people out there who go nuts for cleaning supplys! scutler Charleston, SC (Zone 8b) July 30, 2007 11:40 PM Post #3799489 My grandmother used to soak stained cups and other dishes and containers in a sink full of water with a little bleach. After a 1/2 hour or so they were all stain free. Then she washed and rinsed them as usual. flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) August 1, 2007 12:32 AM Post #3803912 Baking soda is the wonder cure for cleaning. Don't need to use any chemicals. gloria125 Greensboro, AL August 1, 2007 10:24 AM Post #3804849 I use baking soda, sometimes with the magic eraser. Great for bathtubs, also. I try to avoid anything with chlorine bleach. It is so corrosive. I hate ruining my clothes. flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) August 2, 2007 1:02 AM Post #3808317 I agree about the baking soda with the magic eraser...great on soap scum. Bettypauze Victoria Harbour, ON (Zone 5b) August 2, 2007 11:22 AM Post #3809399 scutler..that's my method as well...about once a month I tidy up the cupboards and when dishes aren't their gleaming selves I fill the zinc with water, dirty dishes and leave soak..within the hours they are gleaming! Azalea Jonesboro, GA (Zone 7b) August 2, 2007 11:28 AM Post #3809422 I prefer the bleach route - if you use abrasives such as Brillo, Comet,Magic eraser, etc. - it won't be long til you have damaged the shiny surface and it will then stain much quicker. Same on enamaled stove tops, sinks, etc. Arias Richmond, VA August 2, 2007 12:09 PM Post #3809602 Baking soda and peroxide. Fill the sink with warm water. Add 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup peroxide. Let the cups soak for a few hours. The stains should come off. Or you can use the denture tablets. 1/2 tablet per cup. Drop it in, fill the mug with water and let them sit overnight. If it works on denture stains, it will work on ceramic. gloria125 Greensboro, AL August 2, 2007 2:53 PM Post #3810138 I use the denture tablets in the tank of my 1930s toilet. I don't use them on my teeth! My teeth are 100% original. I use peroxide and baking soda on them. Arias Richmond, VA August 2, 2007 3:47 PM Post #3810312 Ha Ha. Whoa... I think I stuck my foot in mouth. I did not mean to imply that you did not have your own teeth, or that they were ceramic. I just meant that I have used the tablets for cleaning tea and coffee stains and for cleaning vases, because you can drop a tablet in, and let it work on the stains. I too have my own teeth and use baking soda and peroxide on them. I hope I did not offend you with my suggestions. Bettypauze Victoria Harbour, ON (Zone 5b) August 2, 2007 3:56 PM Post #3810343 Arias, I wear dentures and it sure does the trick... Arias Richmond, VA August 2, 2007 4:07 PM Post #3810394 Hi Bettypauze, And while we're cleaning, make a paste of one tablet and a dab of Ultra Brite Toothpaste. This will safely clean stains from the vanity sink. Or if someone leaves a yellow cigarette stain on the sink. That little paste will remove it. I keep a box of efferdent just for stains. And I bet your teeth are supper white, Miss Bettypauze. gloria125 Greensboro, AL August 2, 2007 4:19 PM Post #3810452 Arias: I do not see that you "stuck your foot". No, some people get angry when I say I have my own teeth. No reason. I do have my own teeth at almost 70. Probably because I use peroxide and baking soda along with my sonicare toothbrush. I also have antique bathroom fixtures, and they have lasted because the former owners did not "comet cleanser" them to death. I want BOTH my teeth and my bathroom fixtures to last forever! Thanks to peroxide and baking soda. And occasionally, a swipe from the magic eraser. Arias Richmond, VA August 2, 2007 4:31 PM Post #3810473 Bless you Gloria, and I think it's wonderful you still have your own teeth. You must have taken good care of them. Arias gloria125 Greensboro, AL August 2, 2007 4:39 PM Post #3810494 I dont use magic eraser on my teeth! Just got back from the dentist this morning. He always says Im his poster girl. He didn't offer me one of those oversized stuffed animals that the little kids get, though. And, I still buy efferdent for the toilet. kyjoy Frankfort, KY August 2, 2007 4:44 PM Post #3810510 For those of you who have dishwashers who won't get cups clean, etc., have you ever had your filter cleaned or replaced? I did and now my dishwasher does a wonderful job. Bettypauze Victoria Harbour, ON (Zone 5b) August 2, 2007 4:45 PM Post #3810516 Arias they are...almost lost my life to kidney disease when I was about 17..very ill for many years after, when I got pregnant you could just touch the teeth and they would break, so doctor's suggested dentures.shortly after their replacement my eye teeth came and another operation..in fact I can remember the day...the USA landed on the moon while I cried on the chesterfield from pain...lol...not something I would have done at that early age but there wasn't a choice...but I sure don't miss those dentist appts... flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) August 2, 2007 11:41 PM Post #3812061 Gloria, do the denture tablets really work for your tank??? I was actually going to post that question. We moved in 3 years ago and have well and septic and 2 baths are original(25 yrs) the tanks have some kind of sediment in it and was wondering what to use to get rid of it.(until we remod the baths) gloria125 Greensboro, AL August 3, 2007 8:00 AM Post #3812613 flowerjen: What color is the sediment? If it is a lime deposit you may need to use a lime remover, if iron then use an iron rust remover. I would remove as much water from the tank as possible then scrape the sediment away with something like an old spoon or a metal scraper. Then use a lime-scale-rust remover like CLR. The efferdent is more of a maintenance product. You can also use a product like Barkeeper's Friend for removing lighter rust stains on porcelain. flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) August 4, 2007 12:44 AM Post #3815848 It's rust color. Can clr be used if you have a septic system? gloria125 Greensboro, AL August 4, 2007 7:58 AM Post #3816229 CLR is available at CVS drugstores, and ACE hardware stores here. Check the label to be sure its safe with septic systems. Rust can also be removed with Barkeepers Friend. Pour some in the tank (maybe 1/4 c) and let sit over night. Might take a while to get rid of a lot of rust. If you have rust, you need a plumber to find out where its coming from and get it fixed. It can destroy your plumbing. cactuspatch La Luz/Alamogordo, NM (Zone 8a) August 5, 2007 9:09 PM Post #3822285 When my Clorox cleanup was empty I just filled the bottle with straight bleach and marked it so I would know it was pure bleach. I would squirt in a cup, swish around and put in dishwasher. Now they have Cascade with bleach and I just use that in my dishwasher. gloria125 Greensboro, AL August 6, 2007 7:59 AM Post #3823379 Chlorine bleach will permanently set rust stains. flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) August 6, 2007 4:44 PM Post #3825357 Our water has high acidity and it's been eating away at the pipes, my hubby's changing it all to PVC. Since we moved in we've had 3 pipes burst, Thank the good Lord it hasn't happened behind any walls. bedouin Fort Lauderdale, FL (Zone 10b) August 10, 2007 7:24 PM Post #3842210 What is the Magic Eraser? Never heard of it! Well, I'm just plain lazy...I leave the cofee or tea cup in the sink filled with water, and squirt some chlorox into it. Leave it till I'm in the kitchen later on, wash it out with a kitchen cloth and lo! White again! However... as a result, almost every one of my cotton teeshirts has a chlorox stain somewhere..coloured teeshirts with a logo of 'white spots' advertising Chlorox! ... :) scutler Charleston, SC (Zone 8b) August 10, 2007 10:17 PM Post #3842889 Here is Magic Eraser: [HYPERLINK@www.mrclean.com] bedouin Fort Lauderdale, FL (Zone 10b) August 10, 2007 10:21 PM Post #3842908 Thank you scutler. I'll look for it in the supermarket. Sounds ideal for the house, cars, etc. scutler Charleston, SC (Zone 8b) August 10, 2007 10:24 PM Post #3842920 I'm still learning to use mine. It does seem to do a great job on almost everything - especially good at getting dirt and hand prints off of walls. flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) August 11, 2007 1:59 AM Post #3843508 Magic eraser is absolutely amazing. I had gotten a sample when they weren't even in the stores yet and bragged to everyone I knew about it. At the time we were trying to sell our house and I went around and cleaned off all the wall and door marks. One realtor looked around and said "oh, freshly painted" I said "um, yeah sure" Too funny.

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