People are being shamed for letting their mugs get 'inky black' from drinking tea

If there's one thing we know about Brits, it's that we love a good cup of tea.

Appropriate etiquette is key, most notably not putting the bag and milk in first - we're not monsters, after all.

Secondly, it's important to wash your cup afterwards, or else you risk leaving your cup with 'inky black' stains.

This was highlighted in a recent Reddit thread featuring a picture of a horribly stained cup alongside the caption: "Brits who let their mugs get like this: who hurt you?"

And it's no surprise that the online community had some thoughts, with some shaming those who let their mugs get in such a sorry state.

u/n_jobz/Reddit

"I'm astounded that rational people could drink from such a filthy receptacle," wrote one, while another said, "No normal person wants a crusty mug."

A third suggested to 'not to be friends' with someone whose cup looks like this, while a fourth commented, "The thing is the people with mugs like this are PROUD."

A fifth chimed in: "An ex colleague of mine had a crust on his mug so thick he could only get about 1/4 of a mug of water into it... Yuck!"

But not everyone agrees - in fact, some claim that the crusty residue 'adds to the flavour'. Their words, not ours.

As said by one: "Nah nah nah nah a tea mug is like a wok you have to build up the layer of seasoning for flavour."

Another wrote: "Tannins mate! Add to the flavour."

And then there were those who shared their experiences with murky mugs, including this person who explained: "I drink black tea.

"My Sports Direct cup can no longer be washed. It has ascended to another state of matter.

"There is nothing that can penetrate the inky black coating within. It resists all forms of cleaning agent. There is no abrasive strong enough to shift it."

Their story goes on but you get the point - some people are at their wits' end trying to figure out how to get the stains out of their chosen chalice.

But don't fret, as there are a number of methods you can use to get that drinking vessel sparkling clean (unless you like the stains, that is).

Home writer Alicia Chilton suggests to try any or all of the following steps, starting with a good old fashioned soap and scrub.

FordC/Alamy Stock Photo

Be sure to let a little warm water soak the mug first and then get scrubbing. And if this fails to work, trying sprinkling about one teaspoon of baking soda onto the residue, and then go over this with a damp sponge.

And last but definitely not least, Chilton says: "Fill your mug halfway with distilled white vinegar, then fill to the top with very hot water.

"Allow the mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes to give the vinegar time to work. After soaking, scrub away the stains using dish soap and a soft sponge, then rinse."

And if none of the above do the job, well, it's probably time to get a new mug.