Imagine walking to your staff table thinking about getting a steaming mug of tea, but are instead put off by the stains making the cup look utterly unhygienic.

The secret is – tannic acid. It is a dyeing agent that gives the tea its color. So after excessive use, it tends to tint the mug.

The best thing about being able to clean with lemon is that it is a common grocery ingredient. So you don’t really have to go out of your way to get some special thing just for the ugly stains.

Vinegar is something you can find in your cupboard more often than not. And in addition to adding the flavor to your meals, it also has incredible cleaning ability.

Another easy alternative is to add bleach to the cup and leave it overnight or for a few hours. Make sure that the mug is covered with a lid to avoid fumes.