There’s something universally comforting about a mug. Whether it's the one that cradles your first cup of chai in the morning, your go-to companion during endless office calls, or the quiet partner on a rainy day with a book in hand, a mug is never just a mug. It’s a part of your ritual. A witness to your moods. A symbol of pause.
Yet even the most beautiful mug loses its charm when it’s stained, smelly, or worse, moldy from forgotten tea. Keeping your mugs clean is essential not just for hygiene, but for preserving the joy of that ritual. A clean ceramic mug or glass mug looks inviting, maintains the flavor of your drink, and quietly signals that you’re a person who cares about the little things.
So, if you’ve been googling how to clean mugs or arguing with your inner voice about whether to toss your favorite one because of stubborn tea rings, here’s a guide that blends good old Indian home remedies with modern care tips. Let’s decode how to clean mugs without damaging them.
Cleaning With Soap & Water
Let’s begin with the simplest method. Cleaning with soap and water might feel old-school, but it remains one of the most effective ways to care for your mugs. Just make sure you’re using a soft sponge and not a harsh scrubber that can scratch or wear out the glaze on your ceramic mug or leave swirl marks on your glass mug.
Warm water, dish soap, and a gentle scrub can easily lift off fresh tea or coffee stains. It's ideal for daily cleaning and works well if you rinse the mug soon after use. Letting leftover chai dry into the base of the mug is the fastest way to develop tough stains, and we’ve all been guilty of that at least once.
Cleaning in a Dishwasher
If your kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, and your mugs are labeled dishwasher-safe, this method is the easiest route to sparkling clean results. Place the mugs on the top rack, facing downwards, to ensure thorough cleaning.
For printed or hand-painted mugs, always check for brand instructions before tossing them into a machine. A dishwasher is highly effective for regular build-up and can be a good method when thinking of how to clean mugs stains without manual effort.
Many premium mugs available on thinKitchen are crafted with durability and dishwasher compatibility in mind. This makes them a great long-term addition to your home.
Cleaning With Baking Soda
Now we get to the hero ingredient of every Indian kitchen hack: baking soda. Whether it’s for fluffy idli, a beauty mask, or now mug cleaning, baking soda never disappoints.
To clean stains, wet the inside of the mug and sprinkle some baking soda. Gently scrub using a sponge. The fine texture of baking soda helps scrub away stubborn stains without damaging the surface. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
This method is one of the best answers to how to clean mugs stains and certainly a favorite for those figuring out how to clean mugs with baking soda in an easy, chemical-free way. Especially if your mug has been used for turmeric milk, baking soda can be a game changer.
Cleaning With Vinegar & Salt Solution
Sometimes, you need something a little stronger to battle those stubborn marks. Enter vinegar and salt.
Combine equal parts white vinegar and warm water, then add a spoonful of salt. Let the mug soak for 15–20 minutes. Scrub gently and rinse well. This method is perfect for tackling those brown rings left behind by your morning filter coffee.
How to clean mugs with vinegar is a popular query for good reason. The acidity in the vinegar helps break down stains and neutralizes odors, while the salt acts as a gentle abrasive. This method works particularly well for glass mugs, which need to maintain their clarity and shine.
Cleaning With Lemon & Baking Soda
If you want a method that works and smells delightful, this one’s for you. Lemon adds a natural citrusy freshness, while baking soda handles the scrubbing.
Cut a lemon in half and rub it directly onto the stained area. Sprinkle baking soda on top and let the mix fizz. Scrub with a soft sponge and rinse thoroughly. This technique blends freshness with cleaning power and is especially useful if you want a more fragrant solution to how to clean mugs with baking soda.
It’s also a great alternative for those who want natural methods and are trying to avoid harsher cleaning agents.
How to Remove Odors from Mugs?
Some mugs have a way of trapping smells, especially if you’ve used them for soup, kadha, or that adventurous attempt at microwave mug biryani. Even after washing, they carry a faint aroma of yesterday’s spices. Here’s how you can fix that.
Fill your mug with hot water and add a tablespoon of white vinegar. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and air dry. You’ll notice the smell vanish like that one friend who said they’d return your Tupperware.
For a lighter touch, leave lemon peels or coffee grounds in the mug overnight to absorb lingering scents. This method is especially useful for glass mugs, which tend to hold onto smells more noticeably than ceramic mugs.
If you’ve been searching how to clean mugs without baking soda but still want to eliminate odors effectively, vinegar and lemon are your best bets.
Let’s face it, your mug isn’t just a utility item. It holds your first thoughts of the day, you’re in-between-work sips, and even your “I need a break” moments. Taking care of it is about more than hygiene. It’s about honoring your own little rituals.
At thinKitchen, we understand this. Which is why we bring the world’s best kitchenware and homeware brands to your doorstep in India. From ergonomic designs to long-lasting prints and dishwasher-safe materials, our mugs are curated to suit your lifestyle.
So, the next time you think about replacing a stained drinkware, ask yourself—have I learned how to clean mugs the right way? Maybe it just needs the vinegar treatment or the baking soda magic.
Whether you’re figuring out how to clean mugs stains, or looking for gentle techniques like how to clean mugs without baking soda, or you’re someone who swears by how to clean mugs with vinegar, we’ve got your back.
Because when you choose a mug from thinKitchen, you're not just buying a product. You're choosing quality that endures, style that speaks, and a little joy, one sip at a time.