How to Properly Clean a Scaly Teapot

Cleaning the teapot definitely does not get done as often as it should. Well it is time to stop putting this task off. It is time to give your teapot the respect that it deserves. Your teapot is a dependable and indispensable part of your household and it usually needs a little more attention than it currently receives. It is time to give that scaly pot the deep cleaning that it so desperately needs. No more neglecting that precious piece of pottery any longer. Today is the day that you clean the old teapot.

Tea is one of those wonderfully healthy beverages that we should consume on a regular basis but unfortunately it is also a beverage that builds up a nasty scale on the cups and teapots that it is steeped in. That scaling truly does reduce the pleasure of consuming this beverage. 

Cleaning the cups is usually not much of a problem because we tend to wash these after each use. But for some reason, we have a tendency to only clean the teapot occasionally. This can make cleaning the teapot a much larger task than it should be. I am as guilty of this as the next person. It is usually only when I notice little flakes of brownish material floating conspicuously within my freshly poured cup of tea that I get the more than obvious hint that it is time to clean my teapot. 

There truly is a right way and a wrong way to clean a teapot, and it is important to know which is which.

Wrong: Harsh or toxic chemicals are definitely the wrong items to use to clean your teapot. Those chemicals could remain in the pot, and you do not want to ingest that stuff.

Wrong: Giving your teapot to the dog to lick clean or handing it over to the hubby to chisel the buildup out are not good solutions either. These methods can be used to clean a teapot, but they really just are not the correct way to do the job.

Right: Use natural cleaning products to clean your teapot. The safer and more natural method of shining up that old teapot is actually the correct way to clean it. And that safer way means using people-safe household cleaning products such as vinegar and baking soda. These two items will effectively clean most surfaces in your home, including the interior and exterior of your teapot. 

There are a number of ways that vinegar or baking soda can be used to clean a teapot. These environmentally friendly, yet absolutely fantastic, cleaning compounds are a teapot's best friend. It is just a matter of examining the problem to determine exactly how dramatic of a cleaning job is actually at hand. Once that is known, then it is easy to decide on a method that is right for the current cleaning job.

If Your Teapot Is Only a Little Dirty

Supplies:

One cup of vinegar

4 tablespoons of baking soda

Boiling water

Instructions

  1. If the teapot is not too crusty, then it can be cleaned by simply putting in one cup of vinegar or 4 tablespoons of baking soda, and then filling the remainder of the pot with boiling water.
  2. Leave the pot sit in this solution overnight, and this will generally melt most of the gunk out of it.
  3. Wash the interior with a rag or if needed or give it a light scrub with a small cleaning brush or plastic pot scrubber.
  4. Rinse the pot thoroughly to remove any leftover residue.
If Your Teapot Is Really Dirty

Supplies:

  • Boiling water
  • Lots of vinegar

Instructions:

For an absolute worst-case scenario, which would be similar to what my poor old teapot went through, you should immerse the scaly beast in an extra-large pot of extra-hot vinegar water.

Place a very large pot onto the stove, fill it to half full with water, and bring this to just under a full boil. Turn off the heat.

Once the heat is off, fill about 1/4 of the pot's space with vinegar, and then put your teapot in this solution to soak overnight.

Wash the interior with a rag or if needed, give it a light scrub with a small cleaning brush or plastic pot scrubber. Rinse the teapot thoroughly the following day to remove leftover residue.

How often do you clean it? To keep on top of this task so it doesn't get into the type of predicament that my poor old pot gets into try to soak your teapot overnight at least once every two weeks. Use the mixture of boiling water, vinegar, and baking soda to keep your teapot fresh and clean.

For an absolute worst-case scenario which would be similar to my situation, one should immerse the teapot into an extra-large basin or pot of extra hot vinegar water. Place a very large pot onto the stove, fill it half full with water, and bring this to just under a full boil. Turn off the heat. Once the heat is off, fill about 1/4 with vinegar and then put your teapot into this solution to soak overnight. Rinse thoroughly the following day to remove any leftover residue.

Tip: To prevent a scaly buildup try to clean your tea pot at least twice a month.


In my opinion, the safer and more natural methods of cleaning are always best. Using people safe household cleaning products such as vinegar and baking soda can effectively clean most surfaces in the home including the interior and exterior of your teapot.

Always be aware of the chemicals you use in your household cleaning. Many of these can be easily absorbed through the skin. Toxiins in the home can be dangerous. Stay natural, stay safe.