Turmeric is a spice widely used in Indian kitchens every day. It adds a bright yellow colour and lot of flavour to the food. Despite its great properties, turmeric can easily stain clothes and can be difficult to remove especially in case of light coloured clothes. In this blog we are going to see different methods on how to remove turmeric stains from clothes.
Method 1: Use a Stain Remover
Stain removers are one the easiest methods to remove stubborn turmeric stains. They are specifically designed to remove tough stain from clothes. It is important to follow the instructions given in the chosen product so as to protect the clothes from any damage.
- Apply Bunnyhug Stain Remover a commercial stain remover of your choice on the stained area of the garment. Use a soft brush to work the product onto the stains and let it sit for the recommended amount of time given in the stain remover. This will loosen the stains making it easier to remove.
- After few minutes rinse the clothing thoroughly using cold water. This will remove remaining stain remover if any from the clothing and avoid damage.
- After wash check to see if stains are still visible. Repeat the process if necessary until stains are completely removed.
Method 2: Using White Vinegar
White vinegar is an amazing natural cleaner when it comes to removing stains from clothes.
- Mix one tablespoon of vinegar in two cups of water and soak the stained fabric in the vinegar solution for 30 minutes. You will notice the stains slowly getting disintegrated from the cloth.
- Once soaking is done rinse the clothing well in cold water and wash it in washing machine using a Bunnyhug Laundry Detergent. This will help restore the colour and texture of the garment.
- It is important to note that vinegar may not be suitable for all types of clothes. Check the care instructions of the garment before choosing the cleaning method.
Method 3: Using Baking Soda
Baking soda is a common household item that can be used to clean up turmeric stains from clothes.
- Mix baking soda and water in a small bowl to form a thick paste. Apply the thick paste on the affected areas of the clothing using a spoon or fingers and try to cover the stains as much as possible.
- Allow the paste to sit on the stains for atleast 30 minutes.
- Rinse the stains in cold water and use a soft brush if necessary to remove the paste and the stains.
- Finally wash the garment using Bunnyhug Laundry Detergent as per your regular cycle.
Method 4: Using Lemon Juice
Lemon is not only a natural food ingredient but also a bleaching agent which break down the pigments in turmeric stains making it easier to remove. Squeeze a lemon into a small bowl and pour the required amount onto the stain. Let the lemon juice stay on the clothes for 10 – 15 minutes.
Wash the clothes in cold water and repeat the process if needed. Be careful not to leave the lemon juice for a longer periods as it can cause discoloration in coloured fabrics.
Method 5: Using Dish washing Liquid
Dish washing liquid is another effective method to remove turmeric stain from clothes. Apply a small amount of dish washing liquid on the stained area and gently rub using a soft brush or clean cloth. Allow the dish washing liquid to sit on the stains for 30 minutes. After the stain has been removed rinse and wash the clothes using laundry detergent. If the stain still persists, repeat the above process or try other cleaning methods.
Turmeric stains can be frustrating especially when it is on your favourite clothes. However it can be easily removed using commercial stain removers, dish washing liquid or natural remedies like vinegar, lemon, baking soda. The faster you act on the stains the easier you can remove it. Always check the care instructions on the clothing before using any stain removal method on them. Seek a professional help in case you are not able to remove the stains by yourself.
By following the above tips, you can keep your clothes clean and stain free without any hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is turmeric stain permanent on clothes ?
Turmeric stains tend to leave yellow or orange color stain on clothes. The permanence of stains depends on the type of fabric, how long the stains have been on the clothes and also the cleaning method used. Though the turmeric stains are difficult to remove, it is not necessarily impossible. There are several methods to quickly remove stains from your clothes.
While the turmeric is still fresh try to remove the stains as fast as possible so that there are high chances of restoring it to original condition. Rinse the garment thoroughly in cold water and apply stain remover or a mix of baking soda and water directly on the stain. After 10 – 15 minutes wash the stain using powdered or liquid laundry detergent using regular wash cycle.
For stubborn stains you can use vinegar and water mixture or a commercial stain remover which is designed for removing protein based stains.
2. How to remove old turmeric stain from clothes?
Old turmeric stains can be removed from clothes using a simple home remedies. Mix equal parts of vinegar and baking soda to form a paste and lay it on the turmeric stains. Let the mixture sit on the stains for 30 minutes and wash the clothes in the washing machine using laundry detergent. If the stains continue to be visible, use a commercial stain remover specialized for removing tough stains.
3. How to remove turmeric stain from white clothes ?
It is important to choose the right cleaning method while treating turmeric stains in white clothes. Firstly, wash the clothing well in cold water to remove the excess turmeric. Apply a paste of baking soda and water taken in equal parts, on the stained areas of the fabric. Do not rub on the stain so as to avoid spreading the stain further and pushing it deeper into the fabric. Wait around 30 minutes for the baking soda paste to work on the stains and wash using a laundry detergent in washing machine or other methods.
Avoid using bleach on white clothes as it can react with the turmeric and cause the stains to become permanent making it difficult to remove.
4. Can dry cleaning remove turmeric stain ?
Dry cleaning can be used to remove turmeric stains from clothes especially when the stains are difficult to remove or the fabric cannot be washed in water and requires a dry cleaning process.
Dry cleaners typically use solvents to dissolve the stains which works quite better than water based treatments. However choose an experienced dry cleaner who knows how to handle different types of fabrics. The success of the treatment also depends on the type of fabric, duration of stain and the specific dry cleaning method used.
5. How to Pre-treat Oil-based Turmeric Stains out of clothes ?
Turmeric consists of bright yellow pigment called curcumin which leaves a stubborn oil based stain on the clothes. When given a pre treatment, there are high chances of completely removing the turmeric stains from clothes
Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot the stain, removing as much of the excess turmeric as possible. Apply pre-treatment solutions like white vinegar and water, baking soda and water, liquid dish soap or laundry detergent directly to the stain. Gently rub the solution into the stain, making sure it covers the entire affected area. Allow the pre-treatment solution to sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes. Finally wash the garment using a liquid or powdered laundry detergent that is formulated for removing tough stains.
6. How to Pre-treat Powdered Turmeric Stains ?
Powdered turmeric stains are particularly difficult to treat and it may require several rounds for the stains to be completely removed. By pre treating the stains and using the right laundry detergent there are high chances to restore your clothing to the original condition.
Use a spoon or blunt knife to scrape away excess turmeric from the garment. Be cautious not to spread the turmeric stain further or push it deep inside the fabric. Apply small amount of regular laundry detergent directly on the stains and wait for 10 – 15 minutes to allow the pre-treatment solution to work on the stains. During this time the laundry solution will break down the pigments in the turmeric stain. After pre-treatment wash the clothing in laundry and check if the turmeric stains are completely removed. If you notice any residue stains repeat the pre-treatment and washing process.