Most coffee mugs are white and they are bound to stain after regular use. We've all picked up our favorite coffee mug only to find those stubborn brown rings that make it look dirty no matter how much we wash it.  

This isn't just a problem for a few coffee lovers. According to research from the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 154 million adults, or 75% of the US population aged 20 and older, reported drinking coffee, with 49% drinking coffee daily. With nearly half of all American adults reaching for coffee every single day, coffee stain problems affect millions of mugs across the country.

These coffee stains build up over time and regular dish soap just won't cut it. White ceramic shows every mark, making your favorite mug look old and unclean. You don't need to throw away your stained mugs or buy expensive cleaners - simple household items you already have can remove even the toughest coffee stains from white mugs.Retry

This how to blog post shows you the most effective ways to get coffee stains out of mugs using common kitchen ingredients. You'll learn quick daily cleaning tips and powerful methods for those set-in stains that seem impossible to remove.

These proven techniques work on white ceramic mugs, and any other coffee cups that have seen better days. Your stained mugs will look brand new again with these simple cleaning solutions.

☕Why Do Coffee Stains Appear in Mugs?

Coffee stains appear in mugs because coffee contains natural compounds called tannins that stick to surfaces over time. These tannins are the same substances that give coffee its rich brown color and bold flavor.

Here's what happens when you drink coffee from the same mug repeatedly:

Tannins are organic compounds found in coffee beans, tea leaves, and red wine. When hot coffee sits in your mug, these tannins bond with the ceramic surface. The heat actually makes this bonding process stronger, which is why hot coffee stains faster than cold coffee.

 White ceramic mugs show stains more easily because of their porous surface. Even though ceramic feels smooth, it has microscopic pores that trap tannin molecules. Once these molecules settle into the pores, regular dish soap can't reach them.

Several factors make coffee stains worse:

1. Heat exposure: Hot coffee creates stronger stains than iced coffee
2. Time: Leaving coffee residue in mugs allows tannins to set deeper
3. Frequency: Daily coffee drinkers see stains build up faster
4. Mug material: Unglazed or cheaper ceramic absorbs stains more easily
5. Coffee strength: Darker roasts and espresso contain more tannins

The Numbers Behind Coffee Staining

Research shows that coffee contains over 1,000 different compounds, with tannins making up about 3-5% of the total content. This might seem small, but when you consider that as per NCA (National Coffee Association ) Americans drink an average of 3 cups of coffee per day, those tannins add up quickly on your favorite mug.

The staining process starts immediately but becomes visible after just 5-7 uses of the same mug. Once stains set in for more than a week, they become much harder to remove with regular washing.

☕Quick Rinse vs. Set-In Stains

First, if you can rinse your mug right after finishing your drink, do it! 

A quick rinse with hot water (or a soapy wash) immediately after use can prevent a lot of staining in the first place . (Just like with any stain, from coffee rings to ink on fabric, the sooner you tackle it, the better.) In fact, giving your mug a prompt rinse is the best defense – coffee stains won’t have a chance to form if you don’t give those droplets time to dry and set . But let’s be honest, in the rush of everyday life we often forget the rinse and end up with a stained mug anyway. 

That’s when you need a deeper clean.

For fresh stains or light discoloration, often a normal dish soap wash will do. But for set-in coffee stains that have been sitting (maybe that mug sat on your desk all weekend?), you’ll want to use one of the special methods below. Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy commercial cleaner or harsh chemicals. 

In fact, you likely have everything you need at home to remove coffee stains from cups and mugs. We’re talking basic pantry all-stars like baking soda and vinegar, plus a little elbow grease.

☕Methods to Remove Coffee Stains from Mugs (Step by Step)

 When it comes to how to remove coffee stains from mugs, a few tried-and-true methods rise to the top. You can use them individually, or in combination for super-stubborn stains. These methods are safe for most mug materials (ceramic, porcelain, glass, stainless steel). We’ll note any precautions along the way. 

Ready to get those mugs sparkly clean? Let’s go!

1. Dish Soap Soak & Scrub (The First Line of Defense)

Sometimes the simplest solution is all you need. A good dish soap is formulated to cut through oils and loosen grime – including coffee residue. Here’s how to do it:

1. Fill the mug with soap and hot water: Squirt a little dish soap into the mug (a few drops is fine) and add very warm water until the stain is submerged. Swirl it around so the soapy water mixture covers the walls of the mug.
2. Let it soak: Allow the mug to sit for at least 5–10 minutes. For really heavy stains, you can leave it for 30 minutes or longer. This gives the soap time to penetrate the coffee stain.
3. Scrub with a sponge: After soaking, take a non-abrasive sponge (the soft side, not a metal scouring pad). Gently scrub the stained areas. Use a circular motion to lift the coffee residue. Tip: If your mug is stainless steel inside, definitely use a soft sponge only – abrasive scrubbers can scratch steel. For regular ceramic mugs, a standard kitchen sponge or even a bottle brush works well (a bottle brush helps reach the bottom of tall mugs).
4. Rinse thoroughly: Pour out the soapy water and rinse the mug with clean water. Check if the brownish tint is gone. Often, a good soak and light scrub will completely remove coffee stains from mugs if they weren’t too old or set-in.

If you still see traces of the stain, don’t fret – move on to the next method (baking soda). Dish soap is great for everyday cleaning, but older stains may need a bit more oomph.

2. Baking Soda Paste Scrub (Gentle Abrasive Power)

Baking soda is a cleaning all-star you probably already have in the pantry. It’s mildly abrasive but not enough to scratch your mug, which makes it perfect for scrubbing away coffee and tea stains. Here’s how to remove coffee stains from mugs using baking soda:

1. Make a paste: In an empty mug (or in a small dish), add about 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Add a few drops of water – just enough to form a thick paste. (If you accidentally add too much water, sprinkle in a bit more baking soda.) The paste should be spreadable, not watery.
2. Apply and scrub: Spread the baking soda paste all over the stained area of the mug. You can use a damp cloth, a sponge, or even your fingers to smear it around. Then scrub the stain firmly with the cloth or sponge. Don’t be afraid to put some muscle into it – baking soda’s grit will gently lift the tannin stains without damaging the glaze or finish of a ceramic mug. (Your mug can handle a bit of scrubbing, promise!)
3. Focus on the ring: Most coffee stains form a ring or brown film, often at the bottom of the mug. Give that area extra attention. You might even see the brown residue coming off as you scrub – gratifying, right?
4. Rinse well: Once you’ve given it a thorough scrub (a minute or two of scrubbing is usually plenty), rinse out the mug with warm water. Feel the inside – it should feel smooth with no grainy baking soda left. Check the appearance – in many cases the stain will be completely gone.

Baking soda is often the magic bullet for removing coffee stains from cups. It’s amazing how a bit of this common powder can make a coffee-stained mug look new again. If the stain was especially stubborn and still lingers, we have another trick up our sleeve: vinegar.

3. Vinegar Soak (Tough Love for Stubborn Stains)

When dish soap and baking soda aren’t enough, white vinegar comes to the rescue. White vinegar is mildly acidic (acetic acid) which can dissolve mineral deposits and organic stains – including those from coffee and tea. Here’s how to use vinegar to get coffee stains out of a mug:

1. Mix vinegar and hot water: Fill the stained mug about halfway with distilled white vinegar. Then fill the rest with very hot water (the hottest your tap provides, or boiled water that’s cooled a minute or two). This dilutes the vinegar so it’s not too strong, but still potent. ❌ Caution: If your mug is fine china or has metallic paint, use warm (not boiling) water to avoid thermal shock or damage to delicate finishes.
2. Soak it: Let the vinegar solution sit in the mug for at least 10 minutes. For really tough stains, let it soak 1-2 hours, or even overnight. The acidic vinegar will be loosening the coffee stain’s grip on your mug during this time.
3. Add a little scrub: After soaking, pour out most of the solution (you can save it to use in another mug or to clean your coffee maker, even). Keep a little vinegar-water in the cup and add a drop of dish soap. Now scrub the inside with your sponge again. The combination of vinegar’s acidity and the soap’s degreasing, plus the physical scrub, will knock out remaining stains. For extra scrubbing power, you could even sprinkle a bit of baking soda in after the vinegar soak – yes, it will fizz (fun science!), and that fizzy action can help lift stains.
4. Rinse thoroughly: Vinegar has a strong smell, so rinse the mug a few times with warm water to remove any vinegary scent or taste.

Your mug should be noticeably brighter and free of those dark streaks. Vinegar is especially good at erasing tea stains as well, which have similar tannins. (In fact, a vinegar soak is a popular method to remove brown tea rings from teacups – same concept as coffee.)

4. Other Handy Tricks (Salt, Lemon, Magic Eraser, and More)

The dish soap, baking soda, and vinegar methods above are the big three for tackling coffee stains. But there are a few other clever tricks and household items you can try if you’re dealing with a super stubborn stain or just feeling resourceful:

1. Salt and Vinegar Paste: No baking soda? Try plain table salt with vinegar. Make a paste of a tablespoon of salt and a few drops of white vinegar, then scrub with a sponge. Salt is a natural abrasive and will help scour the stain while vinegar breaks it down. (Think of it like a DIY scouring scrub.) Rinse well afterward.
2. Lemon Juice: For mild stains or to add a fresh scent, lemon can help. Cut a lemon in half, squeeze a bit of the juice into the mug, and use the lemon half as a scrubber inside the mug. The citric acid in lemon can lift light coffee stains and deodorize your cup. (This works better on tea stains or surface stains; it might not erase a dark old coffee ring by itself, but it’s a nice finishing touch.)
3. Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser: Those melamine foam sponges (Magic Eraser) truly are erasers for many stains – including coffee rings. Dampen a magic eraser and gently scrub the inside of the mug. It can work wonders on ceramic surfaces. Just use light pressure and make sure to rinse thoroughly, as you don’t want any sponge residue left where you drink.
4. Toothpaste: In a pinch, plain white toothpaste (non-gel) can act as a mild abrasive polish. It contains baking soda and silica which help scrub stains from teeth and mugs! Apply a blob of toothpaste to a cloth, scrub the mug, and rinse. Your mug might even smell minty fresh afterward.
5. Denture Tablets or Alka-Seltzer: Surprise – those fizzy tablets that clean dentures can also clean your coffee mug. Fill the mug with warm water and drop in an effervescent denture cleaning tablet. Let it fizz and sit for 15-30 minutes (or as directed on the package) to dissolve tough stains. Many people swear by this trick for both coffee and tea stains. Similarly, a couple of Alka-Seltzer tablets can fizz away stains (they contain citric acid and baking soda). After the fizzing, dump out the liquid and give a quick scrub and rinse.

Feel free to try one or a combination of these hacks. For example, if a coffee stain is laughing in the face of your baking soda, go ahead and give it the vinegar soak followed by a magic eraser rub. Your mug will wave the white flag of surrender in no time. And remember, always rinse thoroughly after using any cleaning agent, and wash with regular dish soap before you use the mug again for drinking.

5. A Note on Bleach (🚫Don’t Do It!)

You might be wondering, what about bleach? It’s true that diluted bleach can whiten stains in a mug. However, using bleach is generally not recommended for coffee mugs. Bleach is very harsh and can damage the finish or glaze on your mug, especially ceramic glazes or any painted designs. It can also leave a lingering chlorine smell/taste if not rinsed impeccably. Given that we drink from our mugs, it’s best to avoid using bleach or other toxic cleaners on them. The methods above are more than sufficient to remove coffee stains from mugs without resorting to bleach. Your coffee mug’s appearance (and your next cup of coffee) will thank you! 

(If you absolutely must use a bleach solution for a severe stain on a plain white ceramic mug, use just a teaspoon of bleach in a full mug of water, soak briefly, then wash multiple times with dish soap to remove all residue. But again – stick to natural cleaners like baking soda and vinegar whenever possible.)

☕Cleaning Different Types of Mugs

Most of the methods above for cleaning coffee stains apply to any mug material, but here are a few specific tips by type of mug:

• Porcelain or Fine China: These are delicate. Avoid abrasive scrubbers entirely – use a soft sponge or cloth. The baking soda method is usually safe on glazed porcelain, but test a small spot gently. Also, avoid extreme temperature changes (don’t pour boiling vinegar into a cold china teacup). If the piece is antique or hand-painted, you may want to stick to mild dish soap only (or consult the manufacturer’s instructions).
• Stoneware or Matte Ceramic: Stoneware mugs often have a thicker, rustic glaze. They can handle scrubbing, but if it’s a matte unglazed interior, be gentle and avoid scratching. Baking soda is your friend here. Matte surfaces can actually hold stains more, so you might need to repeat the baking soda scrub a couple times.
• Glass Mugs: Glass doesn’t stain as easily, but if it does, the vinegar soak works great and won’t scratch the glass. Use a soft sponge so you don’t scuff the glass surface.
• Stainless Steel Travel Mugs: Many custom travel mugs and tumblers are stainless steel inside. The good news is steel is durable and the above methods (soap, baking soda, vinegar) all work on it. Do avoid steel wool or really abrasive pads on stainless – they can scratch and create tiny crevices that actually make stains and odors stick around. Instead, use the baking soda paste with a soft sponge. For tough stains or coffee odor in a stainless insulated thermos, a fun trick is adding a denture tablet with warm water as mentioned – it can help deodorize and remove stains from those hard-to-reach corners. Also, check if your travel mug is dishwasher-safe according to the manufacturer; many vacuum-insulated mugs are hand-wash only to protect their inner seal. When cleaning a travel mug, don’t forget to take apart the lid (if it has a removable seal or parts) and wash those pieces – coffee residue can hide in there and contribute to lingering stains or smells.

Mugs with Printed Logos or Custom Designs

If you have a branded custom mug (perhaps with your company logo), you’ll want to preserve that print. The methods above are safe for the interior of the mug. When scrubbing near the printed outer area, just be a bit gentler. Avoid soaking the printed design in vinegar for too long, as very harsh acids over extended periods might fade some prints. Usually, though, a quick wash or gentle vinegar wipe is fine. In fact, many promotional custom mugs have durable inks that can handle regular use and cleaning. Just don’t use steel wool or metal scrapers on the printed part. And if your custom mug is metallic or copper-plated on the outside, stick to dish soap and water for the exterior to avoid tarnish.

☕Preventing Future Stains

Now that you’ve got your mugs clean and coffee-stain-free, you’ll want to keep them that way. While some staining over long-term use is inevitable (especially with daily coffee or tea), these tips will minimize new stains:

• Rinse or Wash Immediately: As mentioned earlier, the sooner you wash out a mug after finishing your drink, the less chance for stains. Even just a quick rinse with water will wash away most of the tannins before they can dry on. If you’re in a rush, fill the mug with a little water and let it sit – at least the coffee won’t dry out on the sides.
• Use the Dishwasher (if safe): Check if your mug is dishwasher-safe. Many ceramic mugs are. A trip through the dishwasher with a quality detergent can prevent light staining. Note that very heavy coffee stains might not come out in one dishwasher cycle, but regular machine washing helps prevent buildup. (Avoid dishwashing insulated travel mugs unless the manufacturer says it’s okay – the high heat can damage vacuum seals or cause warping.)
• Weekly Baking Soda Scrub: If you drink coffee every day, consider giving your mug a quick baking soda scrub once a week as maintenance. It’ll keep stains from building up. It literally takes 30 seconds with a sprinkle of baking soda and a sponge, and you’ll never see a serious stain again.
• Choose Darker Mugs: This one’s more about aesthetics – if you’re tired of seeing stains, using mugs with a brown or dark interior will camouflage any minor staining. Of course, they may still get dirty, but it won’t be as visibly obvious. (Some avid tea drinkers jokingly use only black inside cups so they never see a stain!) Still, it’s better to keep them clean for hygiene.
• Drink Up and Refill: Rather than letting that last inch of coffee sit in your mug for hours (or days… we’ve all discovered that forgotten mug with a ring of old coffee, yikes), try to finish your coffee and then rinse. If you tend to nurse a cup for a long time, consider smaller pours more frequently, so coffee isn’t cooling and clinging to the mug for hours.

By following these habits, you’ll find you rarely have to do a deep clean. Your mugs will stay bright and inviting for your next cup of joe. 

📣Fun fact: Those promotional drinkware items like custom printed mugs often come with care instructions. Many recommend hand washing to prolong the life of the imprint. Following those guidelines will keep both the mug and the logo looking good, without heavy staining.)

 ☕ A Sparkling Finish – and Putting Your Mugs to Good Use

Congratulations – you now know how to remove coffee stains from mugs like a pro, and how to prevent them in the future. With your mugs clean and sparkling, your coffee and tea will taste even better (it’s psychological, but true!). No more peering into a mug and seeing a dark ring of yesterday’s brew. Instead, you can sip with confidence from a cup that looks fresh out of the cabinet. 

Ready for a fresh start? If scrubbing those old mugs has you thinking about an upgrade, consider treating yourself (or your office) to some new ones. We have a huge selection of custom mugs available – from classic campfire coffee cups to insulated custom travel mugs for coffee on-the-go. You can even get your name, artwork, or company logo printed, and with a little care, they’ll stay stain-free and vibrant for years. Check out our curated collections of mugs and drinkware to find your next favorite cup. And if you’re a business or organization, keep in mind that a clean, branded mug makes a fantastic impression on clients and employees alike – it’s practical and promotes your brand with every sip. (There’s a reason so many cafes and companies use branded mugs!) 

Lastly, now that you’re a mug-cleaning master, you might be interested in other cleaning hacks. We’ve got you covered there too. Stains aren’t limited to coffee cups – for example, if you’ve ever had ink or pen leaks in a bag, see our guide on how to clean a nylon bag for stain-free results (you’ll find similar easy tips and tricks).

And for those looking to do more with their sparkling mugs, did you know mugs can be a fundraiser item? Many schools and nonprofits raise money by selling custom mugs (yes, people love mugs!). In fact, with the right approach, groups have achieved up to 75% profit margins with custom mug fundraisers, far exceeding traditional fundraisers. (It turns out a useful item like a mug brings in serious dough for a good cause!) If that piques your interest, check out our blog on launching a mug fundraiser for all the details. 

In summary: A little bit of baking soda, vinegar, and elbow grease can save your favorite mug from a stained fate. Now you can enjoy your coffee from a clean mug every morning, tasting only coffee – not yesterday’s remnants. So go ahead, pour yourself another cup in your now-pristine mug. And if anyone asks how your mugs always stay so clean, you can share your secret (or maybe just smile knowingly). 

Happy sipping, and may your mugs forever be free of coffee stains! 

Ready to put your mug knowledge into action? Browse our selection of custom mugs to find the perfect canvas for your coffee time creativity, or upgrade to an insulated travel mug for on-the-go sipping. All our drinkware is built for daily use – and now you know they’re easy to care for, too. Cheers to stain-free, enjoyable coffee moments!