Some people say teapot cleaning is unnecessary, while others say it spoils the tea’s flavour. This is because most individuals often own traditional brown teapots that tend to be good at concealing tea leaves stains (known as tannin) on the inside. However, if you have stainless steel or other teapots made with different materials, these tea stains can be spotted easily.
So if you’re wondering how to clean a teapot in the right way, you’re in the right place.
Method 1: How to Clean a Traditional Teapot
Supplies
- Boiling water
- Denture cleaner
Fill a tea kettle with water and bring it to a boil. Place your stained teapot in the sink and pour boiling water inside the teapot until it overflows.
Drop two denture cleaning tablets. Once the water begins to fizz, place the teapot’s lid on the overflowing top, as this helps clean out any stains on the edges of the lid.
Allow the lid to rest on the pot for approximately 30 minutes, then use a bottle brush to clean the spout. When done, rinse off the pot using lukewarm water. And voila, your teapot is good as new. If your pot has stubborn stains, you might be required to repeat this method until you achieve your desired results.
Method 2: How to Clean a Stainless Steel Teapot
Supplies
- Boiling water
- Dishwashing detergent
- Microfibre cloth
- White vinegar/lemon juice
Fill the teapot with warm water and add half a cup of vinegar. Mix the solution and allow it to rest in the pot for approximately 20 minutes.
Using a scouring pad, gently scrub the inside of the pot to remove any limescale build-up or calcium deposits. Then, pour the solution and rinse off your stainless steel teapot with lukewarm water.
Dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth. Add more boiling water back to your dry pot, and don’t forget to clean the spout using a bottle brush.
Dump out the boiling water in your sink. Note that this step will help remove any vinegar residue and taste from the inside of your teapot.
Lastly, clean the exterior surface of your teapot using lukewarm water, mild dishwashing detergent and a soft scouring pad. Rinse off the cleaning solution from your pot’s exterior and buff it dry with a clean and dry microfibre cloth.
Method 3: How to Clean the Inside of a Teapot
Supplies
- Boiling water
- Dishwashing liquid
- Wired kitchen brush
- Sponge
Soak the cleaning sponge in a generous amount of cleaning solution and scrub your pot thoroughly. Use a wired kitchen cleaning brush to clean the spout of your teapot. And when done, rinse the cleaning solution from your pot with hot water. Allow it to air dry.
Moreover, if you are a sugar enthusiast and love adding sugar to your teapot, it’s always advisable to pre-soak the inside of your pot with dish soap and boiling water before you begin cleaning it. Note that this helps remove any stuck-on sugar deposits in your teapot.
Extra Tip: How to Get Rid of Stains From Teapots
You’ll probably know that tea can leave stubborn stains behind, but worry not, as we have a solution for you!
Supplies:
- Baking soda
- Hot water
- Paper towel
- White Vinegar/lemon juice
Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with four cups of boiling water and stir until the baking soda dissolves completely.
Pour out the mixture into your pot and allow it to sit for approximately one hour. Scrub the inside of the teapot using a non-abrasive scouring pad. Clean it off with lukewarm water and allow it to air dry.
If your teapot has mineral deposits or limescale build-up, place a paper towel inside and pour a generous amount of white vinegar until the paper towel is soaked completely.
Allow it to rest on the stains for approximately 45 minutes to an hour, then scrub off any remaining deposits. Wash it using soapy water, rinse it off and allow it to dry.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a solution to stubborn stains and rust, then soak your teapot with vinegar and water. Leave overnight, and come morning, the stubborn marks and rust will be easy to remove using a non-abrasive scrubbing pad and your preferred cleaning solution.
Are Teapots Dishwasher Safe?
Before cleaning your teapot, it’s always advisable to go through the manufacturer’s instructions. Check to see the ideal cleaning method recommended for your teapot.
If it’s dishwasher-friendly, place it face down in the rack of your dishwasher with its lid removed. Ensure that the teapot doesn’t bump against other cutlery when running your dishwasher.
On the other hand, if you don’t own a dishwasher-safe teapot, always hand wash it with dishwashing liquid and a non-abrasive brush.
Alternatively, you can rinse your cast iron teapot with lukewarm water and wipe its inside with a clean microfibre cloth. It’s worth mentioning that cast iron teapots should never be cleaned using a harsh scrubber and dish soap.
Teapot Cleaning 101
That’s it on how to clean a teapot. You can avoid regular teapot cleaning by washing it every time you make your favourite cuppa! Remember that you shouldn’t use an abrasive brush, steel wool or harsh chemicals to clean your teapot.
Last but not least, always ensure to empty and rinse your teapot once you’re done using it!
Hi,
Thanks for putting up this page.
I wonder if you can advise the best way to clean the steel strainer inside a Forlife teapot. There’s a picture of a strainer on this page, but I don’t see any particular mention of it in your advice. The tiny holes, particularly in the base get blocked with tea ‘residue’. It takes ages with a very fine pin!
Any help much appreciated