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HowStuffWorks Home & Garden Stain Removal How to Remove Mustard Stains By: Editors of Consumer Guide

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­Mustard contains a yellow dye called turmeric, which is usually the cause of mustard stains. Follow these stain removal tips to keep your household surfaces spot-free.

The first step in removing mustard stains is to identify the stained material.­­­

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­Below are the most common types of materials that can become mustard-stained, with steps on how to remove mustard from each:

• Non-washable fibers such as Acetate, Burlap, Carpet (synthetic or wool), Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate or Wool
• Washable fibers such as Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester or Spandex
• Hard surfaces such as Acrylic Plastic, Asphalt, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile or Vinyl Wallcovering
• Other hard surfaces such as Aluminum, Bamboo, Cane, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Cork, Glass, Linoleum, Paint (flat or gloss), Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Porcelain Dishes, Stainless Steel, Tin or Zinc
• Stone surfaces such as Bluestone, Brick, Concrete, Flagstone, Granite, Limestone, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate or Terrazzo
• Grout
• Leather or Suede
• Silver
• Wallpaper
• Wood

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Contents

1. Non-washable Fibers
2. Washable Fibers
3. Hard Surfaces
4. Other Hard Surfaces
5. Stone Surfaces
6. Grout
7. Leather or Suede
8. Silver
9. Wallpaper
10. Wood

Non-washable Fibers

Follow these steps to remove mustard stains from Acetate, Burlap, Carpet (synthetic or wool), Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate, Wool:

Note: Mustard contains turmeric, a yellow dye. If not treated immediately, it can be impossible to remove.

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• Lift off any excess spill with a dull knife or spatula.
• Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) the area with cleaners such as Afta Cleaning Fluid.
• If fabric is strong enough, tamp (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials) or scrape (the method of using a dull tool to gently lift off excess solid or caked-on stains) to loosen the stain.
• Flush with the dry-cleaning solvent.
• While tamping stain, blot excess material with an absorbent pad.
• If stain remains, sponge (the method of using a dampened pad to apply light strokes, moving outward from the center of the stain) with water and apply a wet spotter and a few drops of white vinegar.
• Tamp again to loosen stain.
• Flush with water.
• If stain persists, moisten area with 3% hydrogen peroxide and add a drop of ammonia (except on silk and wool).
• Do not let it bleach any longer than 15 minutes, then flush with water and allow to dry.
• When treating carpets, blot all excess liquid, then weigh down an absorbent pad with a heavy object.
• When all liquid has been absorbed, allow to thoroughly air dry.

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Washable Fibers

Follow these steps to remove mustard stains from Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Spandex:

• If stain has just occurred, spray on a spot cleaner. If stain is older, scrape as much of the spill as possible.
• Flush with water, apply liquid detergent to the stain, and flush again.
• If the stain remains, presoak (the method of soaking a stained article in warm water before laundering it) for several hours or overnight in a warm-to-hot solution of detergent.
• Rinse and launder as soon as possible.

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Hard Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove mustard stains from Acrylic Plastic, Asphalt, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, Vinyl Wallcovering:

• Once mustard has set, the stain is almost impossible to remove from plastic materials.
• Immediately wipe up any spills with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy wa­ter.
• Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

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Other Hard Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove mustard stains from Aluminum, Bamboo, Cane, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Cork, Glass, Linoleum, Paint (flat or gloss), Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Porcelain Dishes, Stainless Steel, Tin, Zinc:

• Scrape to remove any excess spill (except on ceramic glass rangetops).
• Wipe the area with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water.
• Rinse well with water and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

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Stone Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove mustard stains from Bluestone, Brick, Concrete, Flagstone, Granite, Limestone, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate, Terrazzo:

• Remove any excess spill.
• Wash stain with a solution of washing soda and water.
• Use a cloth or soft-bristled brush to help clean.
• Rinse thoroughly with clear water and allow to air dry.

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Grout

Follow these steps to remove mustard stains from grout:

• Wipe up any excess with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water.
• If stain remains, dip a wet toothbrush into a little baking soda or powdered cleanser and gently scrub the spot.
• Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

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Leather or Suede

Follow these steps to remove mustard stains from leather or suede:

• Although mustard usually causes permanent stains on these materials, try mixing a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water, swishing to create a great volume of suds, and applying only the foam with a sponge.
• Wipe with a clean cloth dampened with clear water.
• Dry with a soft cloth.
• On leather only, follow with cleaners such as Tannery Vintage Leather Cleaner & Conditioner or Fiebing's Saddle Soap to condition the leather. ­

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Silver

Follow these steps to remove mustard stains from silver:

• Wash in hot soapy water as soon as possible.
• Rinse in hot water and dry with a soft cloth immediately.

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Wallpaper

Follow these steps to remove mustard from wallpaper:

• The turmeric in mustard usually permanently stains wallpaper.
• If the stain is fresh, gently wipe the stain with a cloth dipped in the suds of a mild detergent and water.
• Rinse with a clean cloth moistened with cool clear water.
• Gently pat dry.

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Wood

Follow these steps to remove mustard stains from wood:

• Immediately mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds.
• Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply to the mustard.
• Rinse with a clean cloth dampened with cool clear water.
• Polish or wax when dry.

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