Removing Tea Stains on Fabric

Unless you are intentionally tea staining a quilt or other handicraft for a vintage look, tea stains on fabric are not desired. Knowing how to remove the stains without damaging the fabric is important to a successful solution. This is a guide about removing tea stains on fabric.

Solutions: Removing Tea Stains on Fabric

Read and rate the best solutions below by giving them a "thumbs up".

Vinegar For Tea Stains

When a stain like this occurs, I rely on a sure fix. Apply full-strength vinegar to the stain over a sink. I use white vinegar. Then pour very hot or boiling water over the stained area. One may need to repeat the process.

By Rhoda from Las Vegas, NV

0SharePrintFollowPost Feedback

Share Your Feedback: Once you try any of the above solutions, be sure to come back and give a "thumbs up" to the solution that worked the best for you. Do you have a better solution? Click "Share a Solution" above!

Questions

Here are questions related to Removing Tea Stains on Fabric.

Tea Stains on Fabric

I had dropped tea on my new light orange t shirt. Then I immediately washed it with water and Rin bar, it's a detergent soap. After drying up, the stain has turned black. I washed it in the same way again, but the stain is not going. What do I do? Please suggest solutions.

By manav from Kolkata

SharePrintFollowPost Feedback

Removing Tea Stains on Lace

I have several tea stains in the lace on my wedding dress, how can I remove them?

By Dot

SharePrintFollowPost Feedback

Previous: Removing Red Wine Stains from Silk

Next: Removing Red Wax on Microfiber

Tea Stain On White T-shirt

I recently spilled tea on a white T-shirt and washed it and dried it and the stain is still there. Is there any way to remove it since I have already dried the shirt in the dryer? PS, I cannot use bleach on the fabric. Thank you.

Arlene of PA

RE: Tea Stain On White T-shirt

If you can't use bleach I would try to soak it in a fairly strong solution of an enzyme laundry detergent & water in a bucket, for at least 24 full hours. Ex: ERA, maybe TIDE or WISK. I've had luck w/ ERA. Took blood 100% off a new white t-shirt after about 20 hrs. Don't know if it will "eat away" at the tea, though. I've since learned about peroxide or alcohol for blood stains. If you can't find something that works, brew a bucket full of med-strong tea & "tea dye" the shirt to be all the same color. Yes, this is a real technique. Not white anymore, but no longer stained. (04/02/2005)

By kidsNclutter

RE: Tea Stain On White T-shirt

Try soaking your t-shirt in Oxi-Clean overnight. You may have to repeat a second time. (04/02/2005)

By truerblue

RE: Tea Stain On White T-shirt

If you have Dollar General's in your area there is a product called M30 Stain Remover, it's only $1 and it works great. Try it hope it works (04/03/2005)

By Linda

RE: Tea Stain On White T-shirt

I learned to whiten whites by soaking in a mixture of Biz or color safe bleach and Cascade or other dishwashing powder. You can soak these items for 2-3 days to whiten. Will even whiten REALLY OLD things. (04/03/2005)

By Sharon, Ky

RE: Tea Stain On White T-shirt

If you can get a product called Napi San over there, it works wonders and is OK on colors. Take care on wool or silk fabrics though and don't soak it too long. (04/18/2005)

By Jocelyn

RE: Tea Stain On White T-shirt

I'm not sure about how to get tea stains out but I know that Hydrogen Peroxide from the drug store is the best thing for getting blood stains out if you do it right away. I've been able to get stains out even after blood has dried on a fabric but not after it has gone through the washer and dryer. (07/17/2005)

By Sheryl

RE: Tea Stain On White T-shirt

Take 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water(cold)Spray it on with a bottle and or dab on with teaspoon. It will loosen the colorant that stains the material. Then wash in cold water with twin-tub soap powder. Works every time.(05/12/2006)

By Trich

Tea Stains on Fabric

I had company tonight and someone left a tea bag on my off white, cotton type lace table cloth. How do I remove tea stains?

Thanks,
Linda from Southwestern PA

RE: Tea Stains on Fabric

I have had really good luck with Spray and Wash Stain Stick. You rub the stick on the stain and leave it for up to 7 days. I have even removed stains that were dried in the dryer. Let it sit the week and see if it works. (03/19/2007)

By Donna

RE: Tea Stains on Fabric

I swear Oxyclean will get anything out. (03/20/2007)

By Kit

RE: Tea Stains on Fabric

I washed my table cloth today. I didn't have any M-30 hand cleaner that I have used many times before and had forgotten about it. I know it works on many stains. I had some "Goop" hand cleaner on hand and I used it and it seems like the tea stain is history. Thanks so much for the person who suggested the M-30 hand cleaner again. The Goop hand cleaner seemed to the trick. I plan to look for the M-30 hand cleaner again. Thanks for the save on my table cloth. It seemed to even taken out the homemade spaghetti sauce, too. Thanks so much. (03/20/2007)

By Linda

RE: Tea Stains on Fabric

I just removed a 24 hour old tea stain from my white tablecloth by spraying it with vinegar and letting it sit for a few hours (spraying again here and there) and then soaking it in a warm/hot Oxyclean bath for 3 hours (using 2 scoops per gallon of water.) Amazing. (11/07/2007)

By Shelly

Tea Stains on Fabric

How do I remove a tea stain on white tee shirt?

Ragu

RE: Tea Stains on Fabric

Bleach would probably work. It's white so you don't have to worry about fading. (01/26/2010)

By OliveOyl

RE: Tea Stains on Fabric

I have been using something like OxyiClean, only better, and only $2.99! It is called Sun and in the same kind of packaging. I am not sure if Wally World still sells it, but I get mine at Big Lots. It has removed a lot of stains and whitens better than anything. Clorox makes your clothes yellow. You might try some Dawn dish soap first. That removes everything! It gets out motor oil so tea should be easy. (01/28/2010)

By 2oldn2ys