Mustard is easily one of the most popular condiments for summertime BBQs, as well as being one of the most annoying stains to remove from clothing and carpet. Before you toss your favorite garment or swear off mustard forever, learn how to remove mustard stains, so you can continue to enjoy mustard with all your favorite meals.
Unfortunately, mustard is more than a temporary inconvenience, because it contains turmeric. Turmeric is a yellow dye, that, if not treated quickly, can result in a stubborn stain that is difficult to remove.
Like ketchup, mustard can create a cringe-worthy moment when it gets on your favorite shirt or carpet. However, unlike ketchup, mustard contains turmeric, which requires a different approach to treating the unsightly stains it can leave behind.
Removing Mustard Stains from Clothing
The best time to catch and handle the stain is when it is fresh. Make sure you blot the area immediately. Do not rub the stain to keep it spreading and setting deeper into the fabric fibers.
Before you attempt to remove mustard stains on a shirt or jeans, just like when you have a ketchup stain, it is vital that you read the care label found on the clothes.
Avoid using ammonia at all costs because it will react with the turmeric, permanently setting the stain. As with any stain removal treatment, be sure to test the solution on an inconspicuous area of the fabric to check for colorfastness.
Combine the rubbing alcohol and liquid dish soap, mixing thoroughly. Pour the solution over the stain, whether it’s mustard or to remove turmeric stains from fabric, and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes. Rinse the treated area with warm water, then launder as usual.
>> More about Stain Cleaning: Find out how to remove deodorant stains.
Mix the dish soap, water, and vinegar. Place the absorbent towel under the stain. Apply the solution to the affected area and allow it to soak for several minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with hot water and wash as usual. This vinegar-based cleaning solution is one of the best ways to get mustard stains out of clothes.
Also, we cover cleaning of tough, oily spots in a separate tip on how to get oil stains out of clothes after drying. Make sure you check it out.
How to Remove Mustard Stains from Carpet
Mustard has its own chemical makeup that requires a unique cleaning solution to tackle the stubborn stain it leaves behind.
Finding a blob of mustard on your carpet doesn’t mean it is marred forever. As with all stains, it is essential to treat it quickly. The following mustard stains removal technique will also work to get rid of mustard stains from upholstery.
Before you start to treat the stain, you need to scrape off any excess mustard on the carpet with the butter knife, like how you remove egg yolk stains from fabric. Be careful not to spread the mustard around if it’s still wet or work it deeper into the carpet fibers. If the stain is dry, you can cover the stain with a new blob of the same mustard.
Allow it to stand for five minutes, then, using the butter knife, scrape off the excess mustard. Applying fresh mustard to a stain that is already dry can reactivate the dried stain making it easier to remove.
Add the liquid dish detergent to the water and stir until combined. Soak part of a clean white cloth in the mixture. Thoroughly blot the stain. Using a dry section of the fabric, blot up the excess liquid. Continue to soak the cloth and blot the stain until you are no longer able to soak up the stain.
If the stain is still visible, apply a commercial enzymatic cleaner to the stain. These enzymatic cleaners are often used for tougher spots like wine or urine stains, or if you have to get blood stains out of a carpet. Using a second clean, white cloth, soak the stain and blot up the liquid. Dip the sponge in cool water and rinse the spot to rinse away any residue. Blot dry with a clean towel.
Mustard stains are notoriously stubborn and difficult to remove unless you know how to get stains out of clothes. While it may not be easy, with these techniques, you can quickly get the stains out of your clothing, carpet, and upholstery and have them looking like new again. With this simple and practical techniques, you can once again enjoy one of the best condiments in the world.
We hope you enjoyed learning how to remove mustard stains from your clothing and carpet. If you found this information helpful, please feel free to pass it along to your friends and family.