How to Remove Tea Stains From Clothes? A Complete Guide

In today’s busy lives, we rarely find time to do something we enjoy or spend quality time with our loved ones. We have become too occupied with our own worlds. However, when we finally decide to meet, those moments are often filled with shared memories, love, and drinks. But have you ever experienced one of those casual moments suddenly turning into chaos, like accidentally spilling your drink on your favourite clothes? In an instant, those happy moments can turn into a struggle. Especially if you have to deal with stubborn tea stains.

In such cases, it is essential to know what needs to be done right away.

In this blog, we will discuss the immediate steps to take when tea spills, things to ensure before treating tea stains, simple home remedies, and the role of professional laundry support.

A] Immediate Steps to Consider

• Act Quickly

Taking the right steps as soon as you notice a tea spill is important. The earlier you act to prevent the tannins from penetrating the fabric, the easier they will be to remove. One can quickly blot the area by using a paper towel to absorb as much tea as possible.

• Do Not Rub the Stain

To avoid spreading the tea, do not rub the stained area, as it can push the stain deeper into the fabric, making it worse. Gently blotting the spot is the ideal approach.

• Rinse with Cold Water

Position the stain under cold running water such that the water flows through the back of the fabric, pushing the tea out of the fibres.

B] Things to Ensure Before Treating Tea Stains From Clothes

• Understanding the Garment Care Label

Before treating any tea stain, it is important to understand the fabric. The label provides essential information about the material and recommends the appropriate cleaning methods. Ensure reading the garment care label to avoid accidentally damaging the fabric while trying to remove the stain. If the label indicates “dry clean only”, avoid using traditional methods; rather, consider professional cleaners instead. Materials such as silk or wool may require special care and sometimes professional cleaning.

• Performing a Patch Test

Performing a patch test ensures that the cleaning solutions that you plan to use will not cause discolouration or damage. Every fabric is different and may react differently to the various cleaning agents. To perform the test, choose a hidden area of the fabric and apply a small amount of stain remover. Once applied, allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes. If you find no discolouration on the fabric, you can proceed with treating the stain on the garment.

C] How to Remove Tea Stains From Clothes: Simple Remedies

• Lemon Juice

The acidic properties of lemon juice make it the best choice to remove tea stains from clothes—a natural tea stain remover. The citric acid breaks down the brownish tannin stains in tea without damaging the fabric. To begin, ensure the fabric is clean and slightly damp. Squeeze fresh lemon juice directly on the stained area and gently rub it using your fingers or a soft cloth. Then, rinse the spot thoroughly with cold water.

Lemon juice is especially effective if you’re trying to figure out how to remove stains from white clothes, as it works as a natural bleach.

• Salt

Due to the mildly abrasive nature of salt, it can work well as a gentle scrub for tea stains. To start, sprinkle salt over the dampened stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Next, gently rub the area using a soft brush or a cloth. Finally, rinse the material thoroughly with cold water.

• Baking Soda and Vinegar

The combination of baking soda and vinegar is one of the effective home remedies for tougher stains. Here is how to use it:

Create a paste by mixing one teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of white vinegar. Apply the paste directly to the stained area and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. Now, gently scrub the spot with a soft brush and then rinse with cold water. Repeat the process if necessary.

• Commercial Stain Removers

While most of the time, the above remedies are effective in removing tea stains to a great extent, they may not always work completely. In such cases, commercial stain removers can be a reliable option. These products are specially formulated to tackle a variety of tough stains, including those caused by tea.
It is important to follow the instructions on the product label to ensure both safety and effective results.

Begin by applying the commercial stain remover on a small, hidden area of the fabric to avoid any adverse reactions, including discolouration. Proceed by applying the product to the stained area and letting it sit for the recommended amount of time. Follow the directions for washing or rinsing, and repeat the process if needed for stubborn stains.

D] Professional Laundry Support

Professional laundry services are the best option to consider when home remedies and commercial products fail to completely remove tea stains.

These services use advanced equipment and industrial-grade cleaning agents, which can treat the most persistent stains without damaging the fabric.

Professional cleaners’ expertise in identifying fabric types and choosing the most appropriate stain removal technique is one of their key advantages.

In some cases, “dry clean only” is recommended for certain garments. If such fabrics are stained and handled incorrectly at home, a professional laundry support option should be considered as early as possible.

Professional services can save time and reduce the potential risk of making the stain worse with improper treatment.

It is important to inform the cleaners about the cleaning methods you have tried and the nature of the stain. Many providers even offer pickup and delivery services, making the entire process more convenient and safe.

Conclusion

Getting our clothes stained by tea is a common problem in every household. Although there are many remedies, sometimes nothing seems to work. Taking the right initial steps can make a big difference, and performing a patch test beforehand is always a great idea. However, when everything else fails, it’s best to seek professional laundry support.

How to remove tea stains from clothes? Struggling with a stubborn tea stain or any other persistent stain and tired of trying multiple solutions? FabriCare may have the solution to your problem. Contact us today and leave your stain worries behind. Our professional laundry services in Mumbai specialise in understanding the nature of each stain and applying the most appropriate treatment while caring for your clothes. Our free pick-up and delivery service saves you time, and we ensure every garment is returned with the highest quality standards.