How to Clean a Teapot

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

The teapot is a very handy household item, but because of its design, it's difficult to notice how dirty the inside of the teapot is. You should clean your teapot at least once a month to get rid of any gunk or debris that's ended up inside it. Clean a metal teapot using vinegar and a large pot of water, or clean porcelain teapots with 40 Volume Creme Developer in a container. If you have a metal or aluminum teapot, shine the surface of it using cream of tartar and vinegar.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Washing a Metal Teapot

PDF download Download Article
  1. Use a pot that's large enough to comfortably fit your teapot inside of it. If you have a large teapot, you might need to buy a larger pot at the local supermarket. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Once the water reaches the boil, switch the heat off and let the water bubble. You can use either white or brown vinegar but white vinegar is much better for cleaning purposes. When you've finished pouring the vinegar into the pot, the pot should be about 3/4 full. [2]
    • Try the local cleaning store or online to see if you can find an industrial sized bottle of vinegar. Using 1 of these bottles will be cheaper than using a few small bottles of vinegar.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Lemon juice has great cleaning properties because of its acidic components. The acidic lemon juice will mix into the boiling water and vinegar solution. [3]
    • You can juice lemons as well and pour the lemon juice into the pot.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    This process will completely clean your teapot, inside and outside. The acid in the vinegar combined with the boiling water will remove most of the stains from your teapot. Make sure you have the teapot submerged in the water when you place it in the pot. [4]
    • You can put a cover on the pot if you want. The cover will keep the heat in the pot for longer.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Check to make sure that the water in the pot is cool before you reach into the pot. Lay a towel out so you can place your teapot on it to dry for a few minutes after you take it out of the pot. [5]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Use a rag or cleaning brush to wipe the inside and outside of the teapot to remove the stains. You shouldn't need to use too much pressure to remove any dirt or debris still left on the teapot. [6]
    • Don't use a metal wire cleaning brush as this will damage the walls of your teapot.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Pour some dishwashing liquid on the inside of the teapot. Fill the teapot a few times with water to get rid of the taste of vinegar. [7]
    • Keep rinsing the teapot until suds stop forming in the water.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning a Porcelain or China Teapot

PDF download Download Article
  1. To clean your porcelain or china teapot, the most important item you need to have is 40 Volume Creme Developer. This item is usually used in styling and coloring hair, but it's great for cleaning porcelain or china.
    • On top of this, you will also need gloves to protect your hands from the developer and a container to bleach the teapot in. A plastic container or a large pot will do.
  2. Use a container that's large enough to comfortably fit your teapot in it. Put your container on top of an item that will stop the developer ruining your work area if it spills. The developer will probably foam up over time and might over-spill. [8]
    • Don't put the lid on the container because of this.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Make sure you have gloves on while you're pouring the developer. Keep pouring it until the teapot is completely submerged by the developer. [9]
    • Leave the container in a place where it won't be disturbed or bumped into. The developer is a bleach and will harm bare skin if it touches it. If you have a shed or a garage, they might be the best places to place the container.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Check back on the container in 2 days. With your gloves on, lift the container and bring it to the nearest drain. Gently and slowly tip the container to pour the developer out of it. Make sure you don't tip it too quickly as your teapot could fly out of the container. [10]
    • You can also pour it over asphalt or concrete if you want. Rinse it after with a hose.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Since the developer is a bleach, you'll need to thoroughly rinse your teapot to completely get rid of the bleach. Hold it under cold water and tip the water out of the teapot when it fills.
    • To clean the spout, use a small bottle brush and push into the spout. Wet the bottle brush beforehand.
    • You should give the teapot a thorough clean around 5 times before it's ready for use again.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Shining a Metal Teapot with Cream of Tartar

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Before you shine and clean your teapot, you'll need to make sure it's free of stains and other debris. Clean both the inside and outside of the teapot with the cleaning sponge and dish soap. Rinse the teapot after with tap water. [11]
    • Never use a metal wire brush or metal cleaning brush to clean metal. You'll scratch and scrape your teapot with these items.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Make sure the pot you use is large enough to allow you to fully submerge your teapot in water. Fill the pot with cold water, leaving some room at the top for when you boil the water. [12]
    • Don't use pots made with cast iron or other metals. The cream of tartar can damage their metal finish.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Cream of tartar is very strong and this is why you're adding such a small amount compared to the water in the pot. To make your cleaning agent even stronger, you can also add 30 ml (2.0 US tbsp) of white vinegar for every 1 litre (0.26 US gal) of water in the pot. [13]
    • You can add lemon juice instead of the white vinegar if you want to.
  4. Once the water reaches the boil, reduce the heat on your stove. The simmering water will work with the cream of tartar to rigorously clean your metal teapot. [14]
    • As the time passes, look at your teapot. The metal should start to appear cleaner and shinier than it was when you put the teapot in.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    It's very easy to burn yourself when working with hot water. Give the water and teapot at least 20 mins to cool. Slowly pour the water down the drain, making sure the teapot doesn't fall out of the pot. [15]
    • Use a tea towel or oven gloves to handle the teapot when you're taking it out of the pot, in case it's still very hot.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Use measuring cups to mix equal parts cream of tartar and vinegar. Add the ingredients to a spray bottle. Make sure the spray bottle is clean before you add the ingredients into it. [16]
    • Put the top on the spray bottle and shake it to mix the cream of tartar and vinegar together.
  7. Use a few sprays of the solution on your cloth. Wipe in circular motions around the exterior and interior of the teapot to shine it. Make sure you wipe the entire surface of the metal teapot for an even clean all round. [17]
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Teapot
    Since cream of tartar and vinegar are quite strong, you'll need to thoroughly rinse the teapot. Use a wet cloth to wipe the outside of the teapot. [18]
    • Fill the inside of the teapot with water a few times to remove the cream of tartar and vinegar residue.
  9. If you don't dry your teapot properly, it will develop water spots on its surface. Rub the inside and outside of the teapot, paying special attention to the corners and the floor of the teapot. [19]
    10. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Be careful and always make tests before soaking your teapots in cleaning solutions, since sometimes the shiny part or the shin can end up breaking down.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      Washing a Metal Teapot

      • Vinegar
      • Large pot
      • Stove
      • Towel
      • Cloth or cleaning brush
      • Dishwashing liquid
      • Lemons
      • Sharp knife

      Cleaning a Porcelain or China Teapot

      • 40 Volume Creme Developer
      • Gloves
      • A large plastic container
      • Water
      • Drain
      • Small bottle brush

      Shining a Metal Teapot with Cream of Tartar

      • Cream of tartar
      • Vinegar
      • Lemon juice (optional)
      • Large pot
      • Stove
      • Cloths
      • Spray bottle
      • Measuring cups

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Get Rid of Mold in a Water Bottle
      How to
      Wash Dishes by Hand or With A Dishwasher
      How to
      Make Homemade Dishwasher Soap
      How to
      Remove Deep Stains from Dishes
      Simple Cleaning Hacks to Get Smells Out of a Protein Shaker
      How to
      Clean a Mortar and Pestle: Easy Steps for Any Material
      How to
      Make Homemade Liquid Dish Soap
      The Best Ways to Sterilize Glass Baby Bottles at Home
      How to
      Remove a Film from Glasses
      How to
      Clean Baked on Grease Off Glass Dishes
      How to
      Hand Wash Dishes in a Sink
      The Best Ways to Clean an Insulated Lunch Box or Bag
      How to
      Clean Plastic Containers
      How to
      De-Cloud and De-Stain Drinking Glasses
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning hacks, check out our in-depth interview with Oncemaid .

      References

      1. ↑ https://delishably.com/beverages/how-to-clean-a-teapot
      2. ↑ https://www.thealternativedaily.com/how-to-clean-anything-with-white-vinegar/
      3. ↑ https://www.thealternativedaily.com/how-to-clean-anything-with-white-vinegar/
      4. ↑ https://delishably.com/beverages/how-to-clean-a-teapot
      5. ↑ https://www.thealternativedaily.com/how-to-clean-anything-with-white-vinegar/
      6. ↑ https://www.thealternativedaily.com/how-to-clean-anything-with-white-vinegar/
      7. ↑ https://www.thealternativedaily.com/how-to-clean-anything-with-white-vinegar/
      8. ↑ https://thevintageteacup.us/blogs/news/20902209-cleaning-your-bone-china-from-discolored-or-stained-crazing
      9. ↑ https://thevintageteacup.us/blogs/news/20902209-cleaning-your-bone-china-from-discolored-or-stained-crazing
      1. ↑ https://thevintageteacup.us/blogs/news/20902209-cleaning-your-bone-china-from-discolored-or-stained-crazing
      2. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-aluminum/
      3. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-aluminum/
      4. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-aluminum/
      5. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-aluminum/
      6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-aluminum/
      7. ↑ https://www.stockpilingmoms.com/25-ways-to-clean-with-cream-of-tarter/
      8. ↑ https://www.stockpilingmoms.com/25-ways-to-clean-with-cream-of-tarter/
      9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-aluminum/
      10. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-aluminum/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 41,776 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement