Tea is a popular drink that’s enjoyed by millions of people around the world. But what happens when you spill some tea on your clothes? It can be tricky to know how to get tea stains out of clothes (and in particular how to remove tea stains from white clothes).
Based on the number of people who search online for things like “tea stain in clothes how to remove”, or “how to remove old tea stains from white clothes”, there are many people who, like you, are looking for solutions.
Knowing which methods are most effective can help you to act quickly to remove the tea from your favorite sweater or tee.
While there are a range of methods listed below, many of which are home remedies that have been passed down through generations - one of the most effective methods is to use laundry detergent and a pre-stain remover.
However, not all detergents are made the same way. And just as there are risks associated with using vinegar or toothpaste to remove stains - there are also health and environmental risks associated with certain laundry detergents.
That’s why Kind Laundry was established - to provide a safe and natural laundry detergent that's vegan and eco-friendly. Using Kind Laundry’s vegan stain remover bar to get rid of stubborn tea stains, and then our eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets, is one of the most effective ways to remove tea stains from clothes.
How to Get Out Tea Stains With Hot Water
Did you know that hot water can be quite an effective method for removing tea stains? But be warned - hot water is not safe to use on all types of fabrics and can actually harm delicate fabrics like nylon, polyester, silk and linen.
To use the hot water method to remove tea stains, it’s important to act quickly before the tea has dried on your clothes. Start by soaking up as much of the tea on your clothes with a dry, absorbent cloth.
Next, rinse the stained area with hot water for a few seconds - but remember to check the care instructions so that you don’t use water over the specified maximum temperature.
The hot water helps to loosen tea stains and may even remove it completely. If not, the next step is to add some laundry detergent to a bowl of hot water and to soak the clothing in the mixture for about 30 minutes.
After that, the stain should have come out and you can wash the garment as normal.
Cautions when using hot water to remove tea stains from clothes
Hot water can ruin some types of fabric - making them wrinkle or shrink. And, hot water can also make certain types of stain set in more permanently, and can also fade certain types of dyes in clothing.
How to Remove Tea Stains From Clothes Using Lemon
When life throws you lemon (or tea), make lemonade, right? Well, as it happens - when life throws you a cup of hot tea all over your favorite sweater - you’ll probably be stuck wondering how to remove tea stains from clothes using lemon.
Another effective method for removing tea stains is to use lemons. Lemons are natural and slightly acidic which is why many people feel comfortable using this home remedy. However, there are a few risks which we discuss below.
To get started removing tea stains from clothes using lemon juice, squeeze out some fresh lemon juice into a bowl and dab some of the juice onto the stained area. Allow about 15 minutes to pass, so that the lemon juice can penetrate into the fabric.
Some people who are very keen to find ways of how to get out tea stains, even add salt to the mixture to create a paste with the lemon and let it sit on the fabric for 15 minutes. Then rinse out the lemon juice thoroughly using cold water. Hopefully the stain will have gone by now.
Next, put your clothes in a machine wash or hand wash - depending on the care instructions and your own preference.
Risks of using lemons to remove tea stains
Despite the fact that lemons are natural, lemon juice is actually acidic and can harm certain delicate fabrics like silk. It can also harm other non-delicate fabrics, especially if it’s left on for too long. Make sure that if you do use lemon juice, that you wash it all off thoroughly afterwards.
Lemon juice can also irritate some people’s skin, so you might want to consider wearing gloves when you apply it to the fabric.
Another word of warning is that lemon juice can discolor your clothes if you leave it on in the sun, even after you’ve washed out the lemon. So make sure to dry your clothes in a shaded area.
How to Get Tea Stains Out of Clothes With Kind Laundry’s Vegan Stain Remover Bar
If you want to find the best method of how to get tea out of clothes, then you may want to try our Vegan Stain Remover Bar.
Made from all natural ingredients that are non-toxic and free from phosphates, fragrances, and was not tested on animals - this vegan stain remover bar is suitable for delicates. It’s effective for removing stains made by things like tea, coffee, or grass - and even spaghetti sauce.
Simply moisten the stained area with some water, then gently rub on some of this stain removing bar, and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then wash off all the soap and your stain should have been removed. Now you can wash the clothes with our laundry detergent sheets.
How to Get Out Tea Stains Using White Vinegar
If you love drinking tea, then chances are you’ll end up spilling some tea eventually. Using white vinegar as a method of how to get rid of tea stains on clothes out is often cited as an effective home remedy to use, although it does come with certain risks.
So, how do you get out tea stains using white vinegar you may ask?
This method for removing stains involves soaking the stained area of fabric in some white vinegar and water solution. It’s typically advised to use one part vinegar and two parts water when you mix this solution. Next, soak the stained area of fabric in the solution for about 30 minutes. Because vinegar is a weak acid, similar to lemon juice, it acts to loosen the stain.
Next you can remove the fabric from the bowl and give the stained area a gentle scrub until the stain has gone. Then rinse in cold water to remove all the vinegar, as you don’t want the acid staying on your clothes for too long.
Now you can wash your clothes normally, abiding by the care instructions, and using your laundry detergent of choice.
Risks of using vinegar to remove clothing stains
There are several risks of using this method to be aware of, as you don’t want to ruin your best clothes. Firstly, vinegar is an acid and can therefore damage delicate fabrics like wool. If you leave it on any clothes for too long it can be corrosive and could ruin them completely. That’s why it’s important to limit soaking in a vinegar solution to 30 minutes and to thoroughly wash out all the vinegar solution afterwards.
Also remember that vinegar can be quite pungent, so you might even want to consider wearing a mask when working with it, or to open a window for some fresh air. And, just like when working with lemon juice, vinegar can irritate your skin, so consider wearing gloves when you handle it.
How to Get Tea Stains Out of Clothes With Baking Soda
Another household ingredient that is often punted as a remedy for removing tea stains is baking soda. Below is the method for how to get tea stains out of clothes with baking soda that’s often recommended by people as a home remedy.
This method typically involves creating a thick paste with baking soda and water that you then apply to the stain. Leaving it to soak in for about 15 minutes, you then gently rub the paste into the stain to remove it.
Next, thoroughly wash out the baking soda with cold water. Hopefully the stain will be gone. Next, put the clothing on a regular wash with some laundry detergent to make sure it’s all gone and washed out.
Risks of using baking soda to remove stains from clothes
Even though baking soda is a natural, household ingredient found in many kitchens - it can actually damage clothes if it’s left on for too long or if you use it on fragile fabrics like silk or wool.
You also want to avoid rubbing in the baking soda past too hard, as that could damage and stretch the affected area.
Baking soda can also be a skin irritant so consider wearing gloves when handling it.
How to Remove Tea Stains From Clothes With Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergents are specially formulated to remove dirt and even some types of stains from clothes. Using laundry detergent is one of the best methods for how to clean tea stains from clothes.
But, you’ll want to find a laundry detergent that’s kind to the planet and your health. Make sure your laundry detergent is free from toxic chemicals that end up in waste water and eventually may find their way to soils, rivers and the ocean - harming ecosystems.
Also try to choose a laundry detergent that comes in eco-friendly packaging, as big plastic jugs of detergent can lead to increased plastic waste and pollution.
Also try to avoid laundry pods that come in plastic wrappers. Compared with laundry detergent pods, Kind Laundry’s laundry detergent sheets are also safer and more eco-friendly. That’s because they are made from a mostly plant-derived formula, are free from toxic chemicals and they come in recyclable packaging.
How to Get Rid of Tea Stains on Clothes Using Rubbing Alcohol
Have you ever tried using rubbing alcohol to remove tea stains? Some people say that this method works, and although there are many anecdotes about using it - there are also certain risks.
Rubbing alcohol can dissolve substances like tea, so by using it on a stain it might help to remove it. This method for removing tea stains typically works by pouring a little rubbing alcohol on top of the stained area of clothing and letting it soak there for a few minutes. Then blot up the excess with an absorbent cloth.
Next, rinse the clothing thoroughly with cold water, followed by a regular machine wash or hand wash with laundry detergent, inline with the garment’s care instructions.
Risks of using rubbing alcohol
As rubbing alcohol is actually made from alcohol - it’s flammable. You need to make sure that you keep it away from any flames or heat sources when handling it. Always keep the lid of the bottle closed when you’re not using it.
It’s also important to ensure that the area you use it in is properly ventilated. And, like with many other substances, it can irritate sensitive skins - so consider wearing gloves when handling it.
Avoid using rubbing alcohol on more delicate types of fabrics like wools and silks, as it could damage them irreparably.
So if you’re searching for a safe method for how to remove tea stain from white shirt, how to get matcha out of clothes, or how to remove tea spots from clothes, then you may want to avoid this one.
How to Get Out Tea Stains Using Handwashing Detergent
Handwashing detergent can also remove tea stains. This method involves applying a bit of water and then some handwash detergent directly onto the tea-stained clothing and letting it soak for a few minutes, with some gentle rubbing to loosen the tea. Next, wash thoroughly with water.
If the stain hasn't come out by now, you may need to repeat this again. Thereafter, you can wash your clothes as normal.
Risks of using handwashing detergent
One of the biggest risks of using handwashing detergent is that not all detergents are made the same way. If they’re not eco-friendly and natural, they may contain harsh chemicals that pose risks for human health and the environment.
These chemicals can also irritate your skin and cause persistent levels of pollution in streams, rivers and the ocean when they end up in wastewater that can have negative effects on aquatic life and sea life (as well as ecosystems as a whole).
Have you considered the impacts of your detergent’s packing? If it comes in a plastic bottle or non-biodegradable covering, then it may just end up in a landfill - contributing to the rise in plastic waste.
💚 Eco tip: Laundry detergents like Kind Laundry’s eco detergent sheets are made with natural ingredients without any harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances, plastic-free packing and are kind to the planet and human health.
How to Get Tea Stains Out of Clothes With Toothpaste
You won’t believe how many people look up “how to get tea stains out of clothes with toothpaste?”. Although this method sounds a bit quirky, many people swear by it.
Tea stains can be quite tricky to remove, so it’s no wonder in a way that someone thought of using toothpaste. Following this method, you’ll need to get some white toothpaste (avoid the whitening kinds as they may contain bleaching agents) and smear it onto the stain. Gently rub it in with your fingers and let it stay there for about 10 minutes so it can soak in.
Next, rinse out all of the toothpaste with some water and ideally the tea stain will have been removed. Now you’ll want to give your clothes a wash on the normal setting you use to make sure it’s all clean and no longer smelling of minty fresh toothpaste.
Risks of using toothpaste to remove clothing stains
Even though you can use toothpaste to clean your teeth, that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free when used to clean clothes. You’ll need to be careful to avoid using it on any delicate fibers and to not rub too abrasively when you apply it.
Toothpaste can irritate sensitive skin, so consider wearing gloves. And most importantly, avoid any whitening toothpastes that could bleach your clothes.
Remove Tea Stains From Clothes Using Enzyme Presoak Solution
Enzymes are a type of protein found in nature that can be used to remove stains from clothes.
Using an enzyme presoak to remove tea stains can be done by mixing the right amount of your presoak with water (as per the instructions on the product) and then soaking the tea-stained clothes in the mixture as indicated.
Once that’s been done, you can then wash out the presoak and put your clothes on a regular wash, as you usually would - bearing in mind the care instructions.
How to Remove Old Tea Stains From Clothes
If you forgot to act quickly and let a tea stain set into your best dress or blouse, you may be busy searching for a method on how to remove old tea stains from clothes or how to get dried tea stains out of clothes.
In-grained tea stains that have dried on your clothing can be quite stubborn to get rid of. Based on all the abovementioned stain removal methods, some of the best for removing old tea stains include the white vinegar method, the baking soda method and the laundry detergent method. However - each of these methods carries the risk that you could ruin your clothes, so the safest method is to use laundry detergent.
If you’re going to use the laundry detergent method as a way of how to get tea stains out of clothes, then remember to choose an eco-friendly detergent that’s kind to the planet and your health.
The final verdict: how to successfully remove tea stains from clothes
Whether you’re an avid tea drinker or just enjoy an occasional sip of afternoon tea - there’s always a chance that it may accidentally land up on your clothes. After reading this article, you should be equipped with several solutions for how to get tea stains out of clothes.
While many of these home remedy methods that offer solutions for how to remove tea stains from clothes may sound appealing, they also come with several risks - from bleaching your clothes, irritating your skin, to being highly flammable.
One of the most effective and planet-friendly options to clean tea stains away is to use Kind Laundry’s eco-friendly laundry products. For stubborn stains, you can pre-treat them with Kind Laundry’s 100% Vegan Stain Remover Bar, and for fresh tea stains you can wash them with our Laundry Detergent Sheets.
Always make sure you check the care instructions for the clothes you’re cleaning, to make sure you use the right settings. With all these tips, we hope you have a happy tea stain cleaning experience!
