How to Remove Turmeric Stains (Even Tough Ones)

Published March 4, 2021
How to clean turmeric stains

Is a turmeric stain cramping your cleaning efforts? Learn how to remove turmeric stains from your laundry and counters with simple and effective methods. Get tips and tricks for ways to remove turmeric stains from skin, wood floors, and more.

Materials to Remove Turmeric Stains

Turmeric tastes amazing in recipes and has some beautiful healing powers. It also has one other annoying side effect; it turns everything gold. If you aren't looking for your hands or clothing to be golden Adonis or orangy orange, you need to act fast to remove turmeric stains. How to remove turmeric stains depends on the stain, but you should start with these materials.

How to Remove Turmeric Stains From Skin and Nails

While making a curry, did you get a bit of turmeric on your hands? Never fear, friends. Grab a lemon.

  1. Squeeze lemon juice over your hands.

  2. Rub it around your hands, paying close attention to your nails. You can even soak these in lemon juice.

  3. Take an old toothbrush and scrub your fingernails.

  4. Wash with Dawn dish soap.

  5. If turmeric stains persist, try scrubbing with a bit of baking soda and dish soap.

Clean turmeric stain from skin and nails

How to Remove Turmeric Stains From Counter

Turmeric stains can be challenging to get rid of on some countertops. However, one of the best methods is trying baking soda.

  1. Create a baking soda paste with water.

  2. Apply it to the stain.

  3. Let it sit until it dries.

  4. Add a bit more water and scrub in circular motions.

If the baking soda method isn't working, you can substitute baking soda for Bar Keeper's Friend.

Remove Turmeric Stains From Plastic and Dishes

Turmeric tea might be just what you need, but it can wreak havoc on your dishes. Rather than stare at those golden stains in disdain, grab the white vinegar.

  1. In a sink, combine 2 cups of white vinegar and a few drops of Dawn and fill with water.

  2. Soak the turmeric-stained plastics and dishes in the solution overnight.

  3. Wash with a scrubby and rinse.

  4. If the stain is stubborn, scrub with a baking soda and water paste.

If you don't like the smell of white vinegar, you can substitute lemon juice in the soak.

How to Remove Turmeric Stains From Carpet

Turmeric can stain on contact. So dropping a bit on your carpet can have you rolling your eyes in disgust. However, you don't need to fear. Instead, it's essential to act fast.

  1. For loose turmeric, vacuum up as much of it as you can.

  2. Slightly wet a cloth and add a drop of Dawn to it.

  3. Work it into the cloth.

  4. Blot the area of the stain. (Do not rub as this spreads the stain.)

  5. For stubborn stains, spray with white vinegar and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes.

  6. Continue blotting and soaking until the stain is gone.

For light carpets, you can substitute white vinegar for hydrogen peroxide. However, this is a bleaching agent, so test on a discrete area first to ensure it doesn't harm the color.

Woman in blue gloves cleaning carpet

Remove Turmeric Stains From Wood

Spilling a bowl of curry onto your wood floor is no joke. It's also no reason to panic. Instead, mop up as much of the mess with a cloth as you can, and grab the baking soda to clean your wood floor.

  1. Create a paste with baking soda and water.

  2. Apply it to the stain.

  3. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes.

  4. Wipe it away.

  5. Combine 2 cups of water, ¼ cup of vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of Dawn.

  6. Dip a sponge in the solution and scrub the area.

  7. Rinse and repeat as needed.

  8. Use a bit of wood polish to add shine back.

Ways to Remove Turmeric Stains From Clothes and Other Fabrics

Did you spill curry down the front of your favorite shirt? Use the mighty stain-fighting power of Dawn to pull that stain out.

  1. Run cold water on the back of the stain.

  2. Rub the stain with a cut lemon.

  3. Add a few drops of Dawn to cold water and soak the fabric for 30 minutes to an hour.

  4. If the stain remains, rinse again and add straight white vinegar to the laundry.

  5. Wash and check for remaining turmeric stain.

  6. Repeat as needed. Do not dry until all the stain is gone.

Remove Turmeric Stains From Bathtub or Sink

Did you manage to get a bit of turmeric stain in your bathtub or sink? Grab the white vinegar, and you'll be all set.

  1. Spray the area with straight white vinegar.

  2. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes.

  3. Wipe the area with a cloth.

  4. For stubborn stains, create a paste with baking soda and let it sit for 15 minutes or so.

  5. Scrub in circular motions.

  6. You might also try using a magic eraser to pull out the stains.

How to Remove Turmeric Stains From Anything

When it comes to turmeric stains, baking soda can quickly become your best friend. But for those stubborn turmeric stains, you need to get a bit more creative.

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How to Remove Turmeric Stains (Even Tough Ones)