1. Astonish Clean & Revive
This is the gold standard in the UK. Unlike tablets which take time to dissolve, this powder works instantly. You add a teaspoon, pour in boiling water, and watch it foam up. By the time the foam settles (about 20 minutes), the mug looks brand new. No scrubbing required. It even cleaned the impossible-to-reach spout of our teapot.
Pros
- Works instantly with boiling water
- No chemical aftertaste
- Extremely cost-effective (1 tub lasts ages)
Cons
- Can foam over if you fill the mug too high
2. Steradent Active Plus (Denture Tablets)
Grandma was right. Denture tablets are the cheapest way to clean mugs. They aren't quite as powerful as Astonish (you might need two tablets for a very dark stain), but at roughly 5p per tablet, they are unbeatable value. Drop one in, leave it overnight, and rinse in the morning.
Pros
- Incredibly cheap
- Pre-dosed (no mess)
- Available in every pharmacy
Cons
- Takes longer (best overnight)
- Minty smell needs thorough rinsing
3. Bottle Bright Tablets
If you are cleaning a travel mug with rubber seals or a plastic lid, use this. Harsh bleaches can degrade rubber gaskets over time. Bottle Bright is gentle, biodegradable, and incredibly effective on stainless steel travel mugs where tea stains tend to cling to the metal.
Pros
- Safe for plastic & rubber seals
- Biodegradable
- Individually wrapped for travel
Cons
- More expensive per tablet
4. Milton Sterilising Tablets
Designed for baby bottles, Milton is incredible at removing organic stains. It will turn a brown mug white in 15 minutes. However, because it is chlorine-based, it can eventually fade gold rims or delicate hand-painted patterns on bone china. Use it for your sturdy "everyday" mugs, not the family heirlooms.
Pros
- Sterilizes as it cleans
- Very fast action
- Trusted brand
Cons
- Chlorine smell
- Can fade gold/patterns over time
5. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
If you don't want to buy a specific product, pure baking soda works wonders. It isn't a "soak and forget" solution—you have to make a paste and scrub with a damp cloth—but it is 100% natural, cheap, and safe for literally every type of ceramic, glass, or metal.
Pros
- You probably already have it
- 100% Natural
- Safe for antique china
Cons
- Requires manual scrubbing
- Messy paste application
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The Master Table: Find Your Stain
Select your stain below to jump to the dedicated guide.
| Surface | The Problem | The Fix | Read Guide | Top Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stain Removal Guide | Binding to specific surfaces | Read to know more. | Prevent Tea Stains → | Find your specific product in the reviews below → |
| Clothes / Fabric | Tannins dyeing the fiber. | Cold water flush + Vinegar. | How to Save Your Shirt → | Best Laundry Stain Removers → |
| Carpet / Rugs | Liquid soaking into pile/backing. | Blotting + Baking Soda. | Emergency Carpet Guide → | Best Carpet Cleaners → |
| Teeth | Binding to enamel protein. | Water Swish + Casein (Milk). | Prevent Teeth Stains → | Best Toothpastes → |