Tea Stain Removal Guide

Tea stain removal may become necessary when you spill that iced tea down the front of your shirt, or that hot black tea onto the living room sofa or carpet.

Below are step by step instructions for removing these stains from clothing, upholstery and carpet so you can just relax again, and take another sip of your tea.

Please note that these instructions are mainly geared toward removing black tea stains, since this type stains the most.

Further, if you had cream in your tea this will also affect the stain removal process, so you may want to also consult this page about cream stain removal.

Tea Stain Removal From Clothing And Other Washable Fabric

Step 1: Presoak the clothing in a solution of liquid laundry detergent and cool water (approximately 2 tablespoons of detergent to one gallon of water) for at least thirty minutes (if the tea stain is very old it may need to sit overnight).

Step 2: Pretreat the stain with a laundry prewash stain remover.

Step 3: Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the tea stain, and either chlorine bleach if the fabric will allow it, or color safe bleach if not.

Hint: Make sure the stain is gone after washing, but before you place it in the dryer or you may set the stain. Repeat if necessary.

You may also find these alternative methods for removing tea stains from clothing, helpful.

How To Remove Tea Stains From Upholstery

Step 1: Mix a solution of two cups cool water, one tablespoon dishwashing liquid, and one tablespoon of vinegar.

Step 2: Using this solution, sponge the spot with a clean white cloth.

Step 3: Next, blot until the liquid is absorbed.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 until the tea stain is removed from the upholstery.

Step 5: Now that the stain is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

Hint: Be sure to get the upholstery only as wet as necessary to remove the spot.

If this does not work you can also try removing the tea stain with dry cleaning solvent.

You can get more information on how to clean upholstery here.

Removing A Tea Stain From Carpet

The instructions for tea stain removal from carpet is the same as for upholstery.

Get Tea Rings Out Of Your Favorite Tea Mug Or Cup And Saucer

If you love tea you may have some tea ring stains in your favorite tea mugs or cups and saucers.

Click here to learn some home remedies for removing tea rings.

Recommended Tea Stain Removers

Perhaps you don't want to make your own stain remover, but instead want to use something designed to remove these stains. The key is to find product that works on tannin stains, since that is what makes these spots difficult to get out.

Here are some articles and reviews on this site which discuss various products that are designed to remove these spots and spills:

Whink Wash Away Laundry Pretreater

Shout Advanced Ultra Gel

Carbona Stain Devil #8

BIZ As Presoaker

You can also share your own stain remover reviews here for other removers that work on this or any other spot.

Submit Your Own Stain Removal Tip For Tea

Do you have your own tip for removing stains caused by tea? If so, submit your tip here, or read other tips already submitted.

Get Even More Stain And Spot Removal Help Here

Are you a stain magnet like me? If so, check out the A to Z Stain Removal Guide which gives directions for how to remove over 100 types of stains from all kinds of surfaces.

Third and fourth photos by Kanko

Related Pages You May Enjoy

A-Z Guide: Instructions For Removing Over 100 Types Of Stains

Removing Soda Stains

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CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only. It is provided as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains and messes just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some cleaning methods can harm your item, so if what you want to clean or launder is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.