How you clean a teapot depends on what it is made of. Glazed porcelain, glass and stainless steel teapots can be washed with warm water and a little mild dish soap. Unglazed clay teapots, such as Yixing teapots, and cast iron teapots should be rinsed with hot water only, never soap. Whatever the material, empty the leaves soon after brewing and let the pot dry fully with the lid off.
First, check what your teapot is made of
| Material | Soap? | Tea stains | Dishwasher? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glazed porcelain or ceramic | Yes, mild | Baking soda paste | Only if the maker says so |
| Glass | Yes, mild | Baking soda paste | Only if the maker says so |
| Stainless steel | Yes, mild | Baking soda paste | Usually yes |
| Cast iron (enamel-lined) | No | Hot water and a soft cloth | No |
| Unglazed clay (Yixing) | No | Hot water and a soft cloth | No |
If the inside of your pot is shiny and glassy, it is glazed. If it feels slightly matte or sandy and soaks up a drop of water, it is unglazed clay.
Everyday cleaning for every teapot
- Empty the leaves soon. Don't leave wet leaves or cold tea standing in the pot for hours. This is the single biggest cause of stains and smells.
- Rinse with hot water. Swirl hot water around the pot, pour some out through the spout, then empty it.
- Wipe the outside with a soft, damp cloth.
- Dry with the lid off. Stand the pot upside down or on its side with the lid beside it until it is fully dry.
Glazed porcelain and ceramic teapots
A glazed pot does not absorb flavor, so you can wash it like other dishes. Use warm water, a drop of mild dish soap and a soft sponge, then rinse several times until no soap smell remains. Avoid steel wool and abrasive pads, which scratch the glaze. Glazed pots can crack if they go from very hot to very cold, so let a hot pot cool a little before washing it in cold water.
Glass teapots
Glass shows stains clearly but also cleans easily. Wash with warm water and mild soap, and use a soft bottle brush for the spout and any built-in infuser. As with ceramic, avoid sudden temperature changes, such as cold water poured into a pot that has just held boiling water.
Stainless steel teapots
Wash with warm water and mild soap, rinse well and dry with a towel to prevent water spots. If you live in a hard-water area and see white scale, fill the pot with equal parts white vinegar and water, let it stand for an hour, then rinse thoroughly several times.
Cast iron teapots
Most cast iron teapots for brewing have an enamel lining inside. Rinse them with hot water only after each use, without soap, and don't scrub the lining with anything abrasive. Dry the pot fully with the lid off, because standing water can cause rust on any exposed iron. Heat water in a kettle rather than on the stove in the teapot, unless the maker says the pot is made for direct heat.
Yixing clay and other unglazed clay teapots
Unglazed clay keeps very fine pores after firing. With use it takes up a little of the tea's oils and builds a patina, which is why tea drinkers keep one Yixing pot for one style of tea. The same pores will take up soap, vinegar or any other smell, so:
- Rinse with hot water only. Never use soap, detergent, baking soda or vinegar.
- Never put a clay teapot in the dishwasher or the microwave.
- Wipe the outside with a soft cloth while the pot is still warm, especially around the rim, lid and spout.
- Let it dry fully with the lid off before you put it away, or it can develop a musty smell.
- Don't scrub off the patina. A glossy, darker surface is the sign of a well-used pot, not dirt.
Light Duanni clay shows tea stains sooner than darker clays. Rinsing and wiping after every session keeps them light. If a clay pot does pick up a musty smell, rinse it several times with water just off the boil, let it dry with the lid off for a few days, then brew a session of its usual tea before drinking from it again.
To season a new clay pot and care for it over time, see how to season a Yixing teapot. Browse our handmade Yixing teapots, with the clay and capacity named on every pot.
Removing tea stains from glazed and glass teapots
- Mix about a teaspoon of baking soda with a little warm water into a paste.
- Rub it gently over the stains with a soft cloth or sponge, and leave it for 10–15 minutes if the stains are heavy.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water until no residue or smell remains.
Use this only on glazed ceramic, glass and stainless steel. Never use baking soda, vinegar or any cleaner inside an unglazed clay or cast iron teapot.
Storing your teapot
Keep the pot completely dry, with the lid off or resting ajar, in a clean cupboard away from strong smells such as spices, cooking or cleaning products. Clay pots in particular take up nearby smells. Don't store any teapot sealed in a plastic bag while it is still damp.
Frequently asked questions
Can I clean a teapot with soap?
Yes for glazed porcelain, glass and stainless steel, as long as you rinse it well. No for unglazed clay teapots such as Yixing pots, and for cast iron teapots: rinse those with hot water only.
How do I remove tea stains from a teapot?
For glazed ceramic, glass or stainless steel, rub the stains with a paste of baking soda and a little warm water, then rinse well. For unglazed clay, rinse with hot water and wipe with a soft cloth after every use, and stains stay light.
Can I put my teapot in the dishwasher?
Only glazed ceramic, glass or stainless steel pots that the maker marks as dishwasher safe. Never put a Yixing clay teapot or a cast iron teapot in the dishwasher.
How do I clean a Yixing teapot?
Empty the leaves soon after brewing, rinse the pot with hot water only, wipe the outside with a soft cloth and let it dry with the lid off. Never use soap or detergent, because the unglazed clay can take up its smell.
Why does my teapot smell musty?
It was most likely put away before it was fully dry. Wash a glazed pot with mild soap and dry it well. For a clay pot, rinse it several times with water just off the boil and let it dry with the lid off for a few days before using it again.
Looking for a new pot? Read our Yixing teapot guide or browse the teaware collection.
