Will tea change color on white clothes

Tea water may discolor on white clothes, and the tannic acid in tea stains can easily form yellow brown marks when combined with fabric fibers. The degree of discoloration of tea stains is related to factors such as the type of tea leaves, soaking time, and clothing material. Green tea, white tea, and other lightly fermented teas have lighter pigments and relatively mild discoloration after contamination. Timely rinsing with cold water may completely remove them. Black tea, Pu erh tea and other fully fermented teas contain more thearubigins, which can easily form obvious tea stains after oxidation. Natural fibers such as cotton and hemp have strong adsorption properties and more significant discoloration. Protein fibers such as silk and wool are sensitive to acidity and alkalinity, and tea stains may cause permanent discoloration. When clothing is contaminated with tea for more than 6 hours without treatment, tannic acid will oxidize and polymerize in contact with air, forming stubborn yellow spots. Chlorine containing bleach may aggravate the color of certain tea stains, and high-temperature ironing can fix the pigments. Chemical fiber blended fabrics may experience localized fading or siphon diffusion.

It is recommended to immediately rinse the back with cold water after being contaminated with tea to avoid rubbing and causing pigment penetration. Oxidase based detergents can be used to decompose tea polyphenols, and aged tea stains can be treated locally with citric acid or white vinegar. White cotton clothes can be sun dried to assist in oxidation bleaching, and delicate fabrics such as silk are recommended to be sent for professional dry cleaning. When drinking tea in daily life, it is important to avoid clothing coming into contact with the tea soup. For dark colored tea, it is recommended to use splash proof cups.