How to Clean a Yixing Purple Clay Teapot
After Daily Brewing
After brewing tea, I pour out the leftover leaves and rinse the teapot with clean water. From my experience, both room-temperature and hot water work fine.
Then I place the teapot upside down and let it air‑dry in a cool, shaded place. This effectively prevents tea stains from building up or the leaves from going moldy inside the pot. Do not place your teapot in an oven or expose it to direct scorching sunlight. Drastic temperature changes can cause cracking and may easily damage your teapot.
（place the teapot upside down and let it air‑dry in a cool, shaded place.）
When Mold Has Developed Inside the Teapot
If tea leaves have been left inside for too long and mold appears, first discard the moldy leaves. Then rinse the pot repeatedly with hot water, followed by warm water—several cycles of this help remove mold spots and odor effectively. For cleaning the spout, I usually use a fine‑bristled brush, which works very well.
When There Are Tea Stains Inside
In my experience, regular and timely rinsing after each use is the best way to prevent tea stain accumulation. For stains that have already built up, you can fill the teapot with hot water and add a food‑grade baking soda powder.
Important: Do not use any chemical detergents—such as soap, dishwashing liquid, or especially any scented cleaners—on a purple clay teapot. This is because the clay is porous and breathable, with a variety of pore structures that easily absorb odors.
If the Teapot Has Absorbed a Soap Smell
If soap has been accidentally used and the pot has picked up its scent, rinse the teapot repeatedly with boiling water and warm water. After that, submerge the teapot completely in brewed tea liquor and let it soak for 12 hours—this effectively removes the soapy odor.
