You Won’t Believe What Denture Tablets Can Do!

By Sara | Staff Writer

Apr 10, 2019 @ 12:58 PM MDT

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hand holding a white stained coffee mug with denture tablet boxes in the background

Have stains on your favorite cups or mugs?

Denture tablets can clean much more than you thought! From cleaning coffee-stained mugs to insulated drink lids, here’s how to use denture cleaners as the ultimate kitchen cleaning idea!

Here’s what I scooped up from Walmart.

I’ve never bought denture tablets for obvious reasons, so I have to admit that when I had to scoop some up from Walmart, I was a bit skeptical. I thought, “How can denture tablets possibly be a good cleaning hack?”

I bought the smallest boxes of denture tablets I could find. My local Walmart had two brands available, Efferdent and Polident, so I scooped up both boxes.

Here’s how this cleaning tip works.

hand holding stained dirty white coffee mug with coffee and mugs in cabinet

For this project, I grabbed the yuckiest mug I could find in my cabinet. It’s the one I always avoid giving to guests because, well… the stains are embarrassing, and who wants to drink from a mug that looks this gross anyway?!

Following the directions on the box (as you would if you were cleaning dentures), I filled the stained mug with very warm water, but not hot water, and dropped the denture tablets in.

I ended up using 2 Efferdent tablets because I figured the more the merrier – and what could an extra tablet hurt? The mug stain was pretty bad, after all. 💁

Within just seconds, the tablets started fizzing and foaming, so I knew things were probably headed in the right direction.

Here’s what happened after just one hour.

Can you even believe the end result?! 😱 After pouring out the foamy water, I could still see some of the dark stains, so I gently rubbed it under cold water, and it easily came right off! Now the mug looks brand new!

I even tested out the Polident denture tablets on my coffee mug lid, and it worked like a charm! Now, it looks crystal clean like when I first bought it! 🙌

Watch how great these denture tablets clean water bottles on YouTube!

10 different ways to clean with vinegar!

About the writer:

Sara is a self-taught blogger & photographer and brings 9+ years of experience to her craft. Her work has been featured in numerous esteemed publications, spanning building, travel, and fashion. Beyond her creative pursuits, Sara’s primary mission is to empower others to embrace a toxic-free & sustainable lifestyle.

Join The Discussion

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Stacy April 10, 2019 at 1:07 pm MST

Hi Sara,

An even cheaper way to get coffee stains out of cups is using baking soda. Just put a tsp or so on a damp sponge and rub a little. It onlinees right off. It also takes marks off of toys, making them look new again.

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Sara April 10, 2019 at 1:18 pm MST

Thank you so much for those awesome tips, Stacy! I will have to try that next time!

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RM July 2, 2019 at 10:06 am MST

Baking soda is what I use too. I keep it in a glass bowl on the counter beside the kitchen sink and use it for everything! I’ve even made a paste with baking soda and a little vinegar (it will fizz at first) and used it to clean the white patio chair frames. They came out like new. Baking soda is also great for scrubbing baked on stuff on casseroles and residue on pots and pans.

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Sherri July 4, 2019 at 5:45 pm MST

Add liquid dishwashing soap to baking soda to make a paste that will get stains off of your clothes.

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Beth April 10, 2019 at 1:23 pm MST

I put them in the toilets when I go on vacation for a week or two , keeps toilet bowl free of brown water stains .

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Karen April 10, 2019 at 1:30 pm MST

We put them in the toilet once a month to keep it clean. I grew up with my mom doing that so I just thought it was normal.

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Sandy April 10, 2019 at 1:25 pm MST

Magic erase works too

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Tan April 10, 2019 at 1:37 pm MST

I had white Corelle mugs that were stained and looked pretty bad after years of putting them in dishwasher. My friend suggested scrubbing them with BarKeepers friend and I am happy to report that the mugs look like new again.

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mary April 10, 2019 at 1:40 pm MST

In the toilet, quick clean bathroom sinks and clean my wedding rings!

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Rosie April 13, 2019 at 1:09 pm MST

How long do you let the rings soak?

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Asa April 10, 2019 at 1:43 pm MST

I do this all the time with my stained cups. It also works on stained Tupper Ware or other plastic food containers. I usually will get a small packet of Efferdent at the Dollar Tree since I don’t use it for anything else.

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Garfield April 10, 2019 at 1:53 pm MST

These tablets are good to clean re-usable water bottles as well.

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BrBa April 10, 2019 at 1:56 pm MST

This may be super obvious, but denture cleaning tablets work great to keep retainers like Invisalign etc. clean and fresh! They’re definitely not just for those that actually wear dentures LOL

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Stacey April 10, 2019 at 2:11 pm MST

Duh, thanks! I can use it on my mouth guard. Not sure why I never thought of this! And cheap at the Dollar Tree!

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Miriam April 10, 2019 at 4:54 pm MST

My dentist warned me that these can leave grit on your guard that can cause wear on your teeth. He actually reonlinemended just cleaning my custom night guard with normal hand soap (he specified NOT dish soap) and a toothbrush. Just food for thought.

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BrBa April 10, 2019 at 5:29 pm MST

That’s really weird, b/c my orthodontist who actually made my retainer told me to use denture cleaning tablets. :shrug:

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Becky April 10, 2019 at 6:16 pm MST

We were told to use them on my daughter’s retainer, too. Worked like a charm!

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Melanie M April 11, 2019 at 11:40 am MST

One of the first questions I asked my son’s ortho was “how do we clean his retainer?” he said denture cleaning tablets.

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Mommyof71987 April 10, 2019 at 6:14 pm MST

My dentist told me to use this on my mouth guard. He just said to rinse well after. 😀

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Jules April 10, 2019 at 1:59 pm MST

I need a trick for getting rusty looking stains off knives- anyone have a solution for this?

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RJK April 10, 2019 at 2:19 pm MST

Barkeeper’s Friend!

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bonbon October 21, 2021 at 3:18 pm MST

There is a product called “Whink” Rust Remover. It removes rust from silverware, carpets, clothing, sinks, etc. Copper colored plastic bottle. Here is a link but I bought it at my local hardware store. https://www.amazon.online/Whink-01261-Rust-Stain-Remover/dp/B00FX94IAQ/ref=sr_1_14?crid=376PR37ZF5RJZ&dchild=1&keywords=whink+rust+remover&qid=1634851032&qsid=139-4154040-2200466&sr=8-14&sres=B003KIQIW8%2CB07C16Q3LP%2CB07BLKKGSW%2CB077W7PDJP%2CB07D1P1ZFV%2CB005UJMX9M%2CB000LNQNM0%2CB018KVEJ4S%2CB00600IVXW%2CB0814Q4PRL%2CB00H3R11Z6%2CB07XTJG9S6%2CB00FX94IAQ%2CB001CEJYS2%2CB079M1KKPL%2CB004B4NY5E%2CB000K74X7Y%2CB0013DV2W8%2CB006SRZ374%2CB08MBBY9K6&srpt=LAUNDRY_DETERGENT

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Julie April 10, 2019 at 1:59 pm MST

Will this work for stainless steel as well? My husbands coffee mug is gnarly!

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chaeysa April 10, 2019 at 2:01 pm MST

I use them to clean my jewelry.

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Deb E April 10, 2019 at 2:04 pm MST

I know some who have used baking soda and vinegar on their dentures and it’s what I use for my coffee cups. I imagine it does a good job on cleaning the coffee maker too! I buy gallon jugs of vinegar and always have the baking soda on hand so love all they can do!

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Kelly April 10, 2019 at 2:16 pm MST

I use them to clean my tea stained containers.

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Cat April 10, 2019 at 2:23 pm MST

Just salt, water, and a bit of scrubbing also removes tea and coffee stains off of mugs. I just use regular Morton’s.

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Amber April 10, 2019 at 2:24 pm MST

I agree, I use Bar Keepers friend on everything from dishes, appliances and bathroom. It get rust and stains out of just about anything.

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Belle April 10, 2019 at 2:32 pm MST

Would this work for pyrex glassware that has stains and stuff from being baked on too long that can’t be scrubbed off (even with baking soda)?

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k April 10, 2019 at 2:56 pm MST

Use a Mr. Clean Magic eraser! Got my pyrex looking like new after years of baked on grease.

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Nancy April 10, 2019 at 2:40 pm MST

I bet it would work cleaning the inside of my hard plastic straws,

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Melissa April 10, 2019 at 2:42 pm MST

Yes we use these on my mouthguard for my TMJ and my daughter’s retainers …they work great !!

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Angel April 10, 2019 at 2:45 pm MST

Use it all the time to clean my wedding ring set

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Kylie April 10, 2019 at 2:51 pm MST

I use baby wipes to clean my mugs! It so quick and easy!

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Dasey April 10, 2019 at 5:38 pm MST

Does anyone have any tips on removing hot tea stains on a mattress ? Thanks for any ideas

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Trine April 10, 2019 at 6:44 pm MST

Peroxide and dawn dish soap on mattress stains. I mix 1 part dawn to 3 parts peroxide and spray it. Then wait awhile and scrub with a toothbrush and wipe clean with damp cloth. Time depends on stains. Anywhere from 5-30 mins.

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Carly April 10, 2019 at 5:57 pm MST

I’ve always used these tablets to clean vases.

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Amanda April 10, 2019 at 7:30 pm MST

How do you use these to clean wedding rings? Put the tab in water and let the rings soak for a while? Thanks in advance!!

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Susan April 10, 2019 at 10:24 pm MST

Anyone have a solution for cleaning the grout on a tile floor. The grout was once bone color, now caramel colored. Obviously should have had a sealer, but didn’t.

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Sher April 10, 2019 at 10:45 pm MST

Krud Kutter and a stiff brush cleaned my grout like new.

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Nicole S. April 11, 2019 at 7:11 am MST

Oxi Clean does a great job on grout.It whitens clothes and whitens grout.We also use it to remove black streaks off our camper.

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Em April 10, 2019 at 10:39 pm MST

I buy dentures cleaner at the dollar store. My kids love to make lava lamps with them!

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Nicole S. April 11, 2019 at 7:17 am MST

Bar Keepers Friend also takes metal marks off Corelle and Corelle & Corning Bake Ware. I had some bake ware I got at a garage sale with metal marks all inside it and it sure worked like a charm taking the metal marks off. Bleach works wonders on coffee Stains. I fill the sink with bleach water and drop the stained items in and the stains just vanish.

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Patricia Goff April 11, 2019 at 9:22 am MST

I use a brillo pad to clean my mugs but it would be great to use with travel mug lids. We don’t use them so I never thought of that. Can’t wait to tell my daughter. I have used them to clean out vases but that is about all.

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mp April 11, 2019 at 12:37 pm MST

I use denture cleaners to clean marble floors that were not sealed. I put them in my Hoover floor cleaner and after weeks of doing this the floors look like new and yes did clean the grout line out. This take several weeks of repeating the cleaning. Also oxi powder with hot water in the machine does wonders.

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JRC July 1, 2019 at 7:56 pm MST

Curious to know what people use to clean their shower – we have a built in 1 piece shower. I just don’t remember the material it’s called! I scrubbed it but not looking the best! Thanks!!

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Stacey Payne May 9, 2021 at 3:05 pm MST

Thanks for showing how to clean travel mug lids was wondering how to to clean it. It was starting to look bad. I definitely will be trying it.

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