How To Remove Coffee Stains From Stainless Steel?

Ideally, stainless steel shouldn’t even get stained to begin with. What is the point of calling it “stainless” if you still have to spend time getting rid of the stains?

Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world. For an avid coffee drinker, seeing a coffee stain or two on their stainless steel coffee pot is a regular occurrence.

If you’ve been struggling with finding the best way to keep your coffee pot clean, you’re in the right place. Read on to find out how to remove coffee stains from stainless steel.

Removing Coffee Stains from Stainless Steel Coffee Pots

From coffee pots to coffee mugs, everything seems to be much better when it is made out of stainless steel. However, despite the name, such utensils aren’t entirely resistant to stains.

It is imperative to clean your stainless steel coffee pots and mugs on a regular basis. If any stains are left, it will become even harder to remove them later on.

As annoying as it may seem, removing coffee stains from stainless steel isn’t the toughest job in the world.

The good thing is that there are several different methods of cleaning coffee pots, all of which use basic ingredients that are likely already in your house.

You can try all of these to find out which one is the most convenient and suits you the best.

Different Methods of Removing Coffee Stains

When it comes to cleaning your stainless steel, it is best to use household items such as baking soda, vinegar, and peroxide.

Not only are they milder than other chemical cleaners, but they are also more powerful in cleaning the items. This is because these are usually more natural ingredients, which makes them more effective.

However, before you get to these spot-removal methods, it is important to perform a basic cleanup of the coffee pot. Here’s how you do it:

  • Bring a kettle of hot water to boil.
  • Put the dishwashing detergent pod in the coffee pot.
  • Place the coffee pot inside the sink, or any place where the water can drain.
  • Pour the boiling water into the pot.
  • Let the water sit for at least half an hour.
  • Use a tool (spoon or brush) to swirl the water around. You don’t want to use your hand as the water might still be warm.
  • Wait for the water to cool down before pouring the dirty water out.
  • Rinse the coffee pot with clean water.

In some cases, you may notice that the stain will wash away during this process. However, if it doesn’t, you can follow this up by using one of the methods we discuss below.

It’s not necessary to follow this process if you’re trying to clean a mug or other stainless steel utensil. Just wash it like you usually do before moving on to the next step.

Once you’ve performed a basic cleanup of your stainless steel equipment, use one of these effective ways of removing the coffee stains.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

When it comes to household cleaners, vinegar and baking soda are a force to be reckoned with. This classic combination can be used to remove all kinds of stains without breaking a sweat.

Here’s what you’ll need for this method:

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • Bottle brush
  • Hot water

Method

Place the item you need to clean in the sink to prevent overflow. Add a tablespoon of baking soda into the pot or wherever the stain is.

Afterward, pour the vinegar over the baking soda. Swish it around to cover the entire pot or mug, and make sure that the concoction sits over the stain.

Once vinegar comes into contact with baking soda, it will start to bubble. So don’t worry if the vinegar starts rising and pouring out the mug.

Let the vinegar and the baking soda sit for a while and do their magic. After a couple of minutes, pour hot water all over it.

You will have to use a bottle brush to clean the inside of the pot or the mug. Pour out the liquid and scrub the stain away.

The stain should disappear after some scrubbing. However, if it doesn’t, repeat the process until you get the desirable results.

Peroxide and Baking Soda

Despite how popular the vinegar and baking soda combination is, it doesn’t always work. So if you’ve tried it a couple of times and still find the stain staring at you, you can switch to peroxide instead.

Hydrogen peroxide is another powerful cleaning agent that can be used for the worst stains that you may come across.

Here’s what you’ll need for this method:

  • 1 cup soda, plus 2 tablespoons of soda separate
  • 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide
  • Bottle brush
  • Hot water
  • Paper towels

Method

Fill the pot, thermos, or a large bowl with one cup of baking soda and hot water. If you’re cleaning stainless steel mugs or other utensils, place them in the bowl.

Use the bottle brush to scrub every part of the equipment until the stain is as light as possible. Empty the water and baking soda and rinse the stainless steel thoroughly.

Mix the remaining two tablespoons of baking soda with half a cup of hydrogen peroxide. Swish the mixture around to coat the entire surface of the stainless steel, focusing more on the stain.

Wait for half an hour before rinsing the steel and scrub it again. The stain should lift by now.

If it doesn’t, repeat the method until the stain is gone. It should take 3 or 4 tries at most.

Denture Tablet

Denture tablets may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you come across a coffee stain. However, when used right, they can do wonders in removing coffee stains.

The purpose of denture tablets is to knock off coffee stains that can be caught by dentures very easily.

Here’s what you’ll need for this method:

  • Denture tablet
  • Dish soap
  • Bottle brush
  • Hot water

Method

Fill your thermos or coffee pot with hot water, or place your mug in a bowl filled with hot water. Hot water loosens the stains more easily with the help of the tablet.

Drop the tablet into the water and leave the lid open. The tablet produces some gases as it works, and you want it to flow out.

Let it sit for about half an hour. Afterward, you can use the bottle brush to clean the stain.

Use hot water to thoroughly rinse the steel and remove all traces of the denture tablet. Be careful while using hot water to prevent any burns.

If you still notice any coffee stains, it may be possible that they have made themselves a permanent resident on your stainless steel.

However, chances are high that at least one of the above methods would remove all traces of the coffee stain on stainless steel.

Conclusion

By learning the right methods to remove coffee stains from your stainless steel utensils and tools, you can enjoy your regular cup of coffee without any worry.

So don’t worry the next time you notice a coffee stain on your stainless steel. Instead, use one of these methods to remove it so you can enjoy your next cup of coffee without having to look at it.

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