Cleaning the inside of a stainless steel teapot

Bogof_Babe

I have an ancient 'stainless' (haha) steel teapot that I kept when we cleared the parents' house out after dad died and mum couldn't live alone anymore. It was used daily by them for many a year, so I am a bit sentimental about it.

However the inside of it is completely black, from years of tea staining. Dad always used loose tea - I don't know if that is worse than bags for staining - but anyway it's in a sorry old state. I actually put it in the bin today, as no charity shop would want it in the state it's in, but took it out again as I felt awful just throwing it away.

So, is there any way of getting rid of the black from the inside? I thought of trying a Brillo pad but don't want to use something that will taint the tea if it is brought back into use. I've tried scalding it with boiling water but it doesn't make a scrap of difference .

It's hard keeping clutter-free when things have sentimental value, isn't it? :think:

RAS

Try denture cleaner; it shift tea stains like nothing else I know. You may need to add it and leave it a day or two and then repeat a few times.

-taff

Or liquid clothes wash, works on teaspoons a treat. Fill it up with hot water and a glug of liquid or a few teaspoons of powder, leave overnight. Clean as usual with soapy water, but you will have to wash it properly otherwise it'll leave a tatse of clothes powder for a few times

cherie1122

I use washing soda to clean my teaspoons. Use really hot water, a squirt of washing up liquid and a tablespoon or two of washing soda. Leave overnight and it should clear most of the stain

parkgirl

I use either denture cleaning tablets, baby sterilising tablets or baby sterilising fluid - works a treat!

Bogof_Babe

Wow, thanks for all the ideas, and so quickly :T. I don't have any of the things suggested right now, but will definitely try them, in no particular order .

Thanks folks, you're all brilliant.

Fruball

A couple of drops of bleach in warm water - just be sure to fill it to the brim and wash out really well after.

K9sandFelines

It's funny you should post this, as today i was trying to do the very same thing with a stainless steel cup and teastains. I tried hot water and bicarb and a metal scourer with no luck. So, will try these tips.

thenanny2die4

I always thought you were supposed to leave a teapot like this :huh: - something to do with the tannin build up making the best flavoured cup of tea.

Hobsons_Choice

I also use washing soda and boiling water. Leave to stand for an hour or so and rinse well (sometimes needs a swish with a washing up brush).
My s/s teapot was bought for me by my father, and he died in 1970! Still in use every day.

GreyQueen

I have a stainless steel teapot and treat the buildup like this; put in a tablespoon of bicarb of soda and pour in boiling water.

You need to do this slowly as it will initially froth up; let the froth fizz for a few seconds until it subsides, then keep adding water until the pot is full.

Leave for at least overnight, drain and rinse, and a lot of the gunk will just float out. Wash up with a scratchy sponge and ordinary w.u.l. and most of it will come off easily.

If it's been let go for a long time, you will almost certainly need a second, or even a third, go. This is also the technique for flasks which have got stained or have just gone all frowsty.

Easy and cheap-as-chips. HTH.