How To Get Turmeric Out of Carpet

Spills on the carpet are unavoidable, and if it’s anything with turmeric, getting the stain out without leaving unsightly red blotches on could be quite tricky. If you think giving up your love for turmeric tea or that bowl of curry goodness would solve the problem, read on instead and be in the know.

Learn the basics for efficient turmeric carpet stain removal practiced by professional cleaners and moms alike. You’ll also discover surprisingly versatile common household products that would keep your carpet in perfect shape while getting rid of turmeric stains. Who knows, the valuable information shared here could be the save you’re looking for.

Why Does Turmeric Stain? 

Turmeric is more popular as the golden yellow spice used in most Indian curry dishes. The main component responsible for turmeric’s rich color is the Curcumin compound. Its ability to set deeper in textiles when used as a dye is the same property that makes turmeric a stubborn stain on your carpet.

Can Turmeric Stains Be Removed? 

So, while turmeric stain appears to be one of the “supers” of stains, we have gathered some “kryptonite-like” solutions for the sake of the turmeric-loving republic out there.  😉 

How To Remove Turmeric Stains? 

Soda water, white vinegar, and baking soda top the list of effective natural turmeric stain removers for professional carpet cleaners. These products are tough on stains but mild enough for carpet care.

Soda Water’s Deep Cleaning Power

For fresh stains, you can rely on the power of the fizz. With the presence of dissolved gas in soda water, the stain becomes more permeable allowing deeper cleaning action. Soda water is able to really get into the stain and with the fizz’s lifting power, thoroughly sweep the stain particles off.

White Vinegar’s Intense Acidity

White vinegar’s acidity and mild-bleaching effect would be perfect for set-in stains. Use white vinegar solution as a pre-treat to loosen stains and dissolve them.  

Curious about the chemistry behind it? The acid in white vinegar charges up the stain causing it to be pulled away by the positive and negative charges in the water. The strong acidity works further by breaking down the stain.

Baking Soda

What makes baking soda one of the experts’ go-to for stain removal? The short of it is, alkalis neutralize acids. 

Baking soda is an alkali while the curcumin in turmeric is acidic. This combination will result in fizzy bubbles at work, and you know what that means. 😉 Baking soda’s crystalline structure is another plus factor.  It’s actually widely used as a spot buster for its mild abrasive properties.

Here are basic carpet stain removal strategies from the experts for quick and better results:

Step One: First Things First

·       Act fast but with care.

·       Before wiping off the spills, meticulously clear away food particles, if there are any.

·       Dry the area with an absorbent cloth, working carefully from the edges of the stain inwards to help minimize the problem.

·       Do NOT scrub the area at once. Scrubbing is one of the on-impulse-saves which often creates an even bigger mess.

·       Warm or cool water is preferable as hot water is known to set in stains rather than remove them.

Step Two: Easy Does It

You’ll need:

Soda water

OR

White vinegar solution

(½ cup of white vinegar to ½ cup of water

OR

Baking soda paste

(Six tablespoons of baking soda to 1/3 cup of warm or cold water)

Soft-bristled toothbrush

Absorbent clean cloth

Laundry soap

You can use soda water, white vinegar, or baking soda paste in the following procedure:

·        Dip the cloth and gently blot the area until the stain fades. Make sure to use the clean part of the fabric each time.

·       Lightly wet the toothbrush with it as well and gently scrub the stain off in a circular motion until there’s not a trace of stain left.

·       If dealing with area carpets, wash them with laundry soap and water. Air-dry outdoors and let direct sunlight lighten any faint stains.

·       According to the experts, using stronger products at this point could work but might leave your carpet with an obvious bleach spot.  Their take on severe cases? If the carpet’s worth saving, call the experts!

The Masters of Mess-busting, or Moms for short 😉, also swear by a combination of common kitchen products plus a touch of TLC. 

Hand rub or Hand sanitizer

Oily sauces are the hardest to remove and hand sanitizers are Moms’ best bet for the job. The alcohol in them acts like a solvent that breaks down the oil.  The molecules in alcohol are not as densely packed as most liquids, thus, tend to rise to the surface, loosening sticky stains in the process.

Borax

The boron in borax could tackle stains that won’t budge because it’s alkaline and abrasive like baking soda. Enough said.  There should not be any discoloration issues from using the borax solution on your carpet but spot test first to be safe.

Step1 Practice TLC

·       Always keep paper towels or clean domestic wipes within reach in carpeted areas.

·       Clear away the powder spill with a spoon, dry cloth, or vacuum cleaner before treating the stain.

·       When using strong natural products, try them out first on a small part of the stain to see how it works.

·       If it isn’t something you’d find in your kitchen, chances are it isn’t mild enough for your carpet.

Step 2 Clever Mum Hacks to the Rescue

Prepare the following:

Hand rub or hand sanitizer

Soft-bristled toothbrush

Laundry detergent

·        Follow the “First Things First” care tips above.

·       Treat remnant stains with a small amount of hand rub.  Use a toothbrush to work it in. 

·             Leave it on for a good 10-15 minutes to let the alcohol disintegrate stubborn stains.

·       Wash thoroughly with laundry detergent and dry under the sun to naturally bleach the area.

For wider carpets that cannot be washed entirely, Moms recommend using the borax solution, a sponge, and some paper towels.

·       Mix a tablespoon of borax in two cups of warm water.

·       Dip a part of the sponge in the borax solution and dab gently on the stained area.

·       Carefully wipe off with a paper towel, from the edges of the stain to the center.

·        Keep repeating the procedure until there’s no trace of a stain.

·       Finish off by wiping the area with a wet sponge. Vacuum or air-dry.

Conclusion

Removing turmeric stains on the carpet does not have to take forever and need not cost a fortune.  Sometimes, the answer simply lies in being prudent, resourceful, and content. 

Being mindful of your actions when spills happen could turn the ordeal of removing the toughest stains into a rather easy task. You could stumble upon a new carpet stain removal hack while learning more about stain types and bravely trying out safe products or methods that have never been tried before. Lastly, know when it’s time to choose between living a little and keeping your carpet stain-free. 

After all, what’s life without a bowl of curry or a cup of turmeric tea? 😉

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions 

Is turmeric stain permanent? 

No, turmeric stains could be removed if managed quickly enough, but nearly impossible when neglected for a long time.  It might be necessary to use products with stronger chemicals. However, the above recommendations focus on safe natural turmeric stain treatments and carpet care.

How long does it take to remove turmeric stains? 

Pre-treating for 15 minutes works well with fresh stains. Untreated stains might take double the time or even longer, depending on the severity.

Does Toothpaste get rid of turmeric stains? 

Some have had luck with whitening toothpaste. The downside is the treated area will appear faded.

Does milk remove turmeric stains? 

Milk does not remove turmeric stains on the carpet, but it will wash off any stain that may get on your skin at once.

Will OxiClean remove turmeric? 

Yes, when mixed with water, you will essentially have hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate at work.  They slowly break down and dissolve stains. 

Use warm water to make a pre-treat solution and a white cloth to apply and wipe off with.  Leave it on for a max of 30 minutes. If you’re treating turmeric stains on colored carpets, color-safe Oxiclean would be a good choice.

Does turmeric stain things yellow? 

Yes, the curcumin compound in turmeric has excellent color-binding properties. This explains why it’s widely used as a fabric dye and food color.

Can lemon remove turmeric stains? 

Yes, because lemon is acidic and acid dissolves acid. Let the lemon solution sit for a good 10-15 minutes before scrubbing it off.

Why do turmeric stains turn red? 

Curcumin in turmeric is a natural acid-base indicator. It changes to red when mixed with basic substances and stays yellow with acidic solutions.  Soaps are basic, hence, the red stain color change.