One of the secrets for the texture and taste of mustard is turmeric. Mustard being sloppy in nature is always prone to spills. As turmeric contains a yellow dye, it can leave an ugly stain on whatever it falls on. If the stain is not treated soon, it might be too late to remove it later as the dye binds to the surface quite strongly. Follow the methods described below to treat the stain and be carefree from any mustard stain worries in the future.

Method 1: The first method is to treat the stain in a traditional way. Remove the excess mustard from the spill. Use a spatula, a blunt knife or even thin coins for removing the excess. Be careful not to use any extremely sharp object, as it might cut the surface. Put few drops of white vinegar on the stain and run cold water through it after some time. This would loosen the stain. If the stain does not fade even a little, scrub it using an old tooth brush. Use a fabric detergent wash and rinse the fabric ultimately. Use a napkin or a dry cotton cloth to dab the area dry.

Method 2: Sometimes the stain is too tough to get loosened by a mild acid like vinegar. If the fabric or the surface of material is not sensitive to harder chemicals, use hydrogen peroxide of 3% concentration instead of white vinegar. Ammonia can also be used, but make sure it is not used on wool or silk, as it spoils its texture.

Method 3: Put liquid detergent over the stain and keep scrubbing it until the stain begins to fade away. At one point of time it would have reached its limit. Use commercially available stain removers and put few drops over the stain. Let it settle for a few minutes and then wash it with a fabric cleaner and running warm water.

Method 4: Use of rust remover solution or diluted oxalic acid solution also works well for removing any mustard stain. Oxalic acid is also weak in nature hence is safe to use. But rust remover and other petroleum based products are highly inflammable and toxic in nature. Proper protective measures have to be taken before using such chemicals. Use of rubbing alcohol is another alternative. Put about 10 ml of rubbing alcohol or rectified spirit on the stain. Rinse it with fabric detergent after a minute.

Method 5: Another technique, popularly known as the “the hair of the dog” can also be implemented if the exact type of mustard in the stain is known. Covering the stain with some additional fresh mustard would loosen the stain. Later, washing the stain as described in method 1 can remove any trace of the stain. Make sure that you do not take chances and guess the type of mustard as that would further worsen the stain.

Method 6: Go for commercially available enzymatic cleaner. These cleaners are specially made for protein based stains and works particularly well for mustard stains. Most of these products such as axion are fabric safe and natural. Follow the directions specified by them to help remove the stain.

Method 7: In case if all fails, then the last way out will be using bleaching powder to remove the stain in the hard way. Remember that by doing this, your fabric is always at risk. So keeping this option as a last resort is a wise decision. Use some bleaching powder or chlorine to bleach the spot. Rinse the fabric as soon as possible to avoid any damage.