Scientific research shows that when unfinished tea or tea left standing for too long is exposed to air, the tea polyphenols in tea leaves oxidize with metal elements in tea stains, forming brown tea scale, commonly known as tea residue, which adheres to the inner wall of the cup. Tea scale contains various harmful metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic, making it the chief culprit endangering human health.

How to thoroughly remove tea scale

The thicker the tea scale, the harder it is to clean. Therefore, daily cleaning and regular maintenance are equally important. Experts recommend that after each use, even if no visible tea stains remain, tea utensils should be carefully washed to prevent accumulation.

1. Add water to the teapot or cup, put in potato peels, heat until boiling, let it cool, and then rinse. This makes cleaning easy.

2. When using metal tea strainers, they can turn black due to tea scale. If medium-grade cleaners don’t work, soak them in vinegar or bleach to remove the scale easily.

3. Apply edible salt on the inside, especially on areas with tea scale. Then scrub the cup vigorously with a toothbrush, and finally rinse thoroughly with water.

4. For long-deposited tea scale that is hard to clean, soak with heated rice vinegar or baking soda overnight, then scrub with a toothbrush to clean it easily. Note that if using a purple clay teapot, avoid this method. Purple clay teapots have natural pores that absorb minerals from tea scale, which helps maintain the pot and prevents harmful substances from leaching into the tea.

5. Put a small spoon of orange powder or orange juice into the teacup or teapot, fill with water, and let it sit for 2-3 hours. This loosens the tea scale’s adhesion, making it easy to remove.