How To Remove Mustard Stains - Good Housekeeping

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We all love mustard for the punch of flavour it adds to burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches. But if you manage to spill any of this vibrant-coloured condiment on your clothes or furniture, it can spell disaster.

We're sorry to say that mustard stains are very tricky to remove, thanks to a little ingredient called turmeric. But following our expert advice will give you the best chance at tackling this pesky stain.

Remove tomato stains

General directions

Gently scrape off any solid residue with a blunt knife. Dampen the affected area with a few drops of methylated spirits. The stain may turn dark red, but don't worry — this is normal. Blot up as much colour as you can with white paper towels. To avoid spreading the stain, use a delicate dabbing motion, and work from the outside inwards. Follow the directions below for specific fabrics.

On washable fabrics

Spot treat the stain with Stain Devils – Fat & Sauces which is specially formulated for curry and mustard stains and is also safe for use on wool and silk, follow the manufacturer’s advice for use. You may need to repeat the process if the stain is really bad. For cotton, follow by machine-washing at 40°C with biological detergent. For silk and wool, follow by machine-washing at 30°C using a detergent for delicates and the delicates cycle.

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If the marks persist

Try soaking the garment in an oxygen-based bleaching product following manufacturers guidance for the strength of the soaking solution, then wash as normal using a biological detergent. For delicates soak in a stain remover formulated for delicates before washing on a delicates cycle.

GHI Tip: If this doesn't remove the stain, try hanging the item out in the sun for a few days. The pigment in mustard is unstable in light, so exposure to the sun can help to fade it.

On carpet

Try treating with White Wizard or Dr Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover following manufacturer’s instructions. If you don’t have these to hand and need a quick fix, try mixing one tablespoon of washing up liquid with two cups of water and one tablespoon of white vinegar.

Remove any solids with a blunt knife and blot up as much of the stain as possible with paper towels, being careful not to spread the stain. Then sponge the stain with the detergent/ vinegar solution and blot regularly with paper towels to lift away any of the stain that has been loosened. You may have to repeat this process several times but try not to over wet the carpet.

If any of the stain remains it might be time to call in a professional carpet cleaner.