how to clean the outside of a stainless steel teapot

Sue asked: How do I clean the inside of a stainless steel teapot? The inside of my pot is stained black. It looks disgusting, and I can't seem to get rid of it.

Many stainless-teapot people think that a teapot is the same as a tea kettle, but that is not true. A teapot is used on a table to serve the tea. A tea kettle on the other hand is the device used to boil the water. Although they look similar, a teapot usually is not built to withstand cooking temperatures on a stove; it is mostly decorative. If you need to clean a tea kettle, see the guide How to Clean the Inside of a Stainless Steel Tea Kettle. If you need to clean a teapot, follow the steps below.

You Will Need:

Denture tablets
White vinegar
Lemon juice
Baking soda
A bottle brush

Steps to Clean the Teapot:

Fill the teapot with warm water, then drop in a couple denture cleaning tablets. Let the tablets fizz in the pot for about an hour. This will remove some types of stains and help to clean off the tea residue.
Moisten a soft cloth with white vinegar or lemon juice, then wipe the inside of the teapot. This will work to remove some types of stains, including rust, as well as sanitize it.
For small stains, a baking soda paste can be used. Combine 3 teaspoons of baking soda with one teaspoon of water to make a thick paste. Put the paste on a cloth and scrub it into the stains.
If the pot is extra stained, mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda into 4 cups of hot water. Stir the mixture well to ensure the baking soda dissolves. Put the mixture into the teapot and let it sit for about an hour, then scrub the inside of the pot clean.
If you have trouble with cleaning the spout, use a bottle brush. These can be found in the baby aisle of most supermarkets. A straw brush (made for cleaning a reusable straw) can also work.

Additional Tips and Advice

If you have mineral deposits or limescale inside your teapot, soak a paper towel with white vinegar and press the paper towel onto the deposits. Let the towel sit on the stains for about an hour, then scrub off the deposits.
Never use a steel wool pad or brush to clean the inside of your stainless steel teapot. They will damage the surface and allow for rust to start forming.
If you need to scrub the stainless steel, use a nylon or plastic scrubber.
Never use a product that contains chlorine bleach to clean the inside of your teapot.
If you need to clean the outside of the teapot, use the guide How to Clean Stainless Steel.

Sources

Haley's Hints by Graham and Rosemary Haley
Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook by Martha Stewart
Baking Soda Solutions by M. B. Ryther

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