How to Get Mustard Stains Out of Furniture

Whether you’ve got a big gameday party planned or a cookout where guests are looking to cool off in the AC, mustard stains happen, but they don’t have to be permanent. By understanding the ingredients that cause mustard to stain like turmeric and vinegar, you can lift out the yellow marks from the mustard stain and avoid having to hide them under pillows and throws.

We’ll start with how to lift the mustard stains from your furniture, then go into why mustard stains and the science behind what is needed to break the bonds and remove the discoloration.

The Steps to Remove Mustard Stains from Couches and Fabrics

The step-by-step instructions to lift mustard stains on couches are:

1. Scrape off excess mustard
2. Check the manufacturer’s website
3. Spot test the cleaning solution you use
4. Apply the cleaning solution to the stain
5. Dab the stain with a clean cloth
6. Repeat until stain is removed

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess Mustard

Use a dull butter knife, the side of a fork, or a spoon to manually remove as much of the mustard as you can with gentle movements from the outside inwards.  This way you don’t spread the stain further or allow more mustard to sink into the fabric.

Step 2: Check the Manufacturer’s Cleaning Instructions or Website

Check the care instructions and manufacturer's website or use the live chat feature if they have one and to look for their recommended cleaning products for the materials of your furniture.  If you use the wrong materials it could damage the surface or cause more uneccesary discoloration.

Pro-tip: Look for enzyme cleaners featuring mannanase as they have been seen as an effective solution for lifting mustard stains if the manufacturer’s website or customer support says it is safe. 

Step 3: Spot Test the Cleaning Solution

Always test any cleaning solution on a hidden area like the between the sections of a sectional couch or a usually covered spot of carpet under an end table or in a back corner to ensure you won’t cause any further discoloration or damage.  For chairs, ottomans, and other sitting furniture where all sides are visible, use the in-between area for the cushion and the sides, or a small section on the underside where fabric or material is still visible on the ottoman.

Step 4: Make a Solution to Remove Mustard Stains

If the manufacturer does not have a recommended cleaning product, use any ingredients that say are safe.  There are three main ingredients that are good starting points to help you get rid of a mustard stain including:

• Baking soda that works to lift the mustard stain through its chemical reaction called acid-base neutralization.  The process works because baking soda is a base and mustard is an acid, and through its ability to absorb the oils and lift the coloring.  
• Dish soap with surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate help break down the oils found in the mustard that won’t dissolve in water alone.
• White vinegar uses its acidic base to break down the color stains from the turmeric and release them from the fibers. 

Do not use hydrogen peroxide unless explicitly stated by the manufacturer, and even if they say it is ok, always spot test as this is known to lighten and discolor fabrics and materials.  And always use cool water and never hot as hot water can set the stain faster by bonding it to the fibers.

Baking Soda Paste for New Stains

• 3 parts baking soda
• 1 part cold water

Dish Soap Mixture for New and Slightly Set Stains

• ½ teaspoon dish soap
• 1 cup of cold water
• A few drops of white vinegar (optional)

White Vinegar Formula for Old and Set in Stains

• 1 part white vinegar
• 2 parts cool water
• A few drops of dish soap (optional)

Step 5: Dab the stain and repeat until stain is removed

Apply a small amount of solution with a clean cloth from the outside inwards to help prevent the stain from spreading out. Once applied use another clean cloth to blot away the mixture, taking some of the stain with it.  Repeat this process until the stain is removed. 

Mustard stains can take repeat applications to remove so don’t lose patience or resort to using too much cleaning solution as you could cause other types of discoloration and make the stain worse.

Pro-tip: Avoiding scrubbing, especially on protein based materials like leather and suede, as this can damage the fibers and surfaces while spreading the stain over a larger area.

Now that you know how to lift the mustard stain from your furniture and carpets, here’s a bit of what causes this stain and why it is trickier than others.

Why Does Mustard Stain

Mustard gets its yellow color from turmeric which is also used as a fabric dye for cotton and other common furniture materials thanks to its curcumin content giving it its signature bright yellow color. When combined with an acid like the vinegar found in mustard, or citrus lemon juice, it acts as a mordant and helps the dye molecules bond to fibers setting the dye and creating a persistent stain.

Mustard stains don’t need to be permanent features on your furniture or ruin a party when an accident happens.  You now know how to lift a new mustard stain and get rid of old and set in ones if you discover it long after your company leaves.