How to Remove Mustard Stains

With the warm weather slowly rolling in, it’s hard not to daydream about sunny days and weekend cookouts, grilling hamburgers, hot dogs, and corn on the cob.  Among all the greasy finger foods dripping with condiments, cookouts can quickly become a messy ordeal.  If you’ve ever had a shirt fall victim to unruly mustard, then you know how tough it is to remove.  In fact, due to its high content of turmeric, an aromatic yellow powder and powerful natural dye, mustard can be one of the toughest stains to treat.  But with some quick thinking and a little know-how, defeating that stubborn yellow stain is possible.

Clothes or fabric:

1. Immediately scrape off any excess mustard.
2. Turn the item inside out and flush the stain with cold water – lots of it.
3. Rub liquid laundry detergent onto the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
4. Repeat step 3 until no more of the mustard can be removed.
5. Treat with a pre-wash stain remover.
6. Launder according to the instructions on the label. Add bleach if it’s safe for the fabric.

Un-washable fabrics:

1. If possible, take the item to the drycleaners right away.
2. If going to the drycleaners is out of the question, pick up some dry-cleaning fluid from the hardware store or the supermarket.
3. Using a towel, blot the stain from the inside of the clothing so you are pushing the stain outwards.

Upholstery:

1. Scrape off as much excess as possible.
2. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dish soap with two cups of cool water.
3. Sponge the stain using a clean white cloth.
4. Blot until the liquid has been absorbed.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the stain is gone.
6. Sponge with cold water to rinse and blot dry.

Carpet:

1. Scrape off as much excess as possible.
2. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dish soap with two cups of warm water.
3. Sponge the stain with a clean white cloth.
4. Blot until all the liquid is absorbed.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the stain is gone or until no more of it can be removed.
6. If the stain is still visible, apply a commercial enzymatic cleaner suitable for protein-based stains.
7. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to dilute and apply the cleaner.
8. Sponge the stain with another clean, white cloth.

9. Rinse the area using a sponge dipped in cold water; then blot dry with a clean cloth.