This Kitchen Staple Removes Stubborn Coffee Stains From Your Favorite Mugs
Even after you've run your favorite coffee mug through the dishwasher a few times, the ring of discoloration in the mug's interior makes it look dirty. No amount of scrubbing seems to help, either. There is one solution that may have all the power you need to help pull away that coffee stain from the mug, and it's already in your cupboard. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a naturally occurring substance that has the power to be a super scrubber in situations like this.
Baking soda is quite the powerhouse. It could be the perfect option to include in a homemade paste to brush your teeth or a facial scrub to remove debris deep within your pores. It can also help remove crayon marks from the wall and support unclogging a drain. With so many versatile cleaning opportunities, you may wonder how baking soda can do so much.
This cleaning agent's seemingly magical ability to wash away coffee stains from the inside of your mug has to do with this product's natural chemical and physical properties. Baking soda tends to be very safe and highly effective, allowing it to virtually lift stains off the surface. But take note that baking soda doesn't disinfect, so you'll still need to clean the mug with soap and water afterward. Baking soda has been used in the U.S. since the mid-1800s for very good reasons.
How baking soda removes stubborn coffee stains from mugs
All living organisms contain sodium bicarbonate in some form. It enables proper pH balance to maintain life. Baking soda is a type of sodium bicarbonate that comes from soda ash, which is available in two forms. It is either mined or manufactured, but regardless, it can be used as a pure and safe cleaning agent. On the surface of a coffee mug, it helps to loosen the organic material from the coffee stain, allowing water to wash it away.
In addition, baking soda can be used directly on the surface of a dishtowel or sponge without diluting it. In this non-dissolved form, the white powder has just enough of an abrasive feel to help it scrub away and loosen the bonds of the coffee stains on the mug's surface. However, it's not so abrasive that it damages the surface, making it very safe even on your favorite colored or painted mug. It has just enough scouring power to create a bit of a lift between the organic material and the surface to allow it to wash away.
If that cup has been sitting at the bottom of the sink for a few days, baking soda will also work as an odor neutralization for acid-based odors like coffee. It can absorb odors easily, allowing you to get the mug clean without much effort.
How to use baking soda to clean coffee stains from a mug
The good news is that this cleaning process is simple and straightforward and doesn't require you to spend hours soaking or scrubbing the mug. To work, you can consider several options. The simplest option is simply to sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into the mug with the coffee stains on it. Then, add enough hot water to fill the cup. This will help activate the baking soda, and you'll notice it working with a slight fizz. Once the water is cool enough for you to touch, use a clean cloth to wipe the area with the coffee stain. It should be wiped away clean with minimal scrubbing.
Try creating a baking soda paste if the stains are more set in or haven't come off. You just need to add a small amount of water to a couple of tablespoons of baking soda. Create a thick paste, not one that runs. Then, apply this paste directly to the coffee stain on the cup. For the best results, give it time to work by allowing it to sit for about an hour or so with the paste remaining on the surface and covering the entire stain. After this, use a clean cloth to rub it and rinse to remove it entirely. This is undoubtedly a baking soda cleaning hack you can appreciate if you want to keep that mug around a bit longer.