How to remove mustard stains from carpet

If you love roasted meat or summer barbeques, you are probably a fan of mustard. Just like other condiments like ketchup, mustard is likely to give you a not-so-desirable scenario of landing on your clothing or carpet.

Mustard gets its bright yellow color from turmeric that is added to it, not from the actual mustard seeds. Turmeric’s distinctive yellow pigment makes it a bit difficult to get rid of mustard stains on the carpet.

To successfully remove a mustard stain, first, you need to remove any solid mustard remaining on the carpet using a spoon or blunt knife. Don’t wipe with paper towels as this will only set the stain deeper into the fibers. Instead, blot the area with a wet towel to dilute the mustard.

Then, you can use the following household products to make homemade cleaning agents for getting rid of mustard stains.

• Liquid dish soap
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Club soda
• White vinegar

Using liquid dish soap to remove mustard stains

Dish soap contains enzymes just like the ones found in our guts that break down organic compounds, making it a perfect cleansing agent. It is also designed to be mild on your hands and smells good too.

To remove mustard stains from your carpet using the dish soap method, you will need the following:

• 1 tbsp dish soap 
• 2 cups of water
• A microfiber cloth
• Paper towels

Procedure:

1. Mix a tablespoon of liquid dish soap with two cups of water evenly.
2. Dip the microfiber cloth into the solution and apply it to the stain.
3. Leave the liquid soap solution for about five minutes to give it time to act on the mustard stain effectively.
4. Blot the stain with a clean part of the micro-fiber cloth until the stain gradually disappears. 
5. Use paper towels to soak up any excess moisture.
6. Allow the carpet to air dry.

Liquid dish soap and hydrogen peroxide approach

In the event that stains are still visible after simply using dish soap, you can add in hydrogen peroxide for stubborn set stains. Hydrogen Peroxide is a powerful oxidizer; however, it has bleaching properties. It is advisable to do a spot test first on a hidden part of the carpet to see if there will be a reaction.

To use hydrogen peroxide, you will need the following:

• 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap
• 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide
• 3 cups of water
• A microfiber cloth
• Paper towels

Follow these steps:

1. Carry out the first procedure using liquid dish soap.
2. After blotting out the stain and finding it still visible, mix in an open bowl, a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, liquid dish soap, and 3 cups water.
3. Sprinkle the hydrogen peroxide mix on the affected region and let it sit for thirty minutes to act on the stain. 
4. Dip paper towels in water and blot the affected area to clear the mustard stain. 
5. Once the mustard stain has come off, dry the region with paper towels and allow it to air dry.

Simply use club soda when you want to get rid of mustard on your carpet

Although it may be surprising, regular club soda from your fridge can come in handy when removing stains. Club soda is carbon dioxide dissolved in water to form a weak acid that can get rid of stains.

When using the club soda approach on mustard stains, you will need the following:

• 1 cup of club soda
• A microfiber cloth
• Paper towels

Procedure:

1. Pour the club soda on the affected carpet, just enough to cover the affected region, but make sure it doesn’t saturate the entire carpet.
2. Allow the club soda to sit for a few minutes to work its magic.
3. Using the microfiber cloth, blot the region to remove excess moisture.
4. If the stain is still visible, use the liquid dish soap solution to finish off the problem.
5. Dry the excess solution with paper towels.

Distilled white vinegar approach

Other than being a great food additive, white vinegar has multiple uses. It can be used in cleaning and as a medicine as well. It contains acetic acid, which makes it a good oxidant that is good as a cleaning agent.

You can use white vinegar on mustard stains blemishing your carpet.

You will need the following:

• 1/4 cup of white vinegar
• A cup of warm water
• A microfiber cloth
• Paper towels

Procedure:

1. Removed any solid mustard  from the carpet and blot the region with wet paper towels.
2. Mix the water and white vinegar in an open bowl.
3. Dip the microfiber cloth into the mixture and apply it to the stain. Start from outside the region, working towards the center to prevent the mustard stain from spreading.
4. Allow the mixture to work on the stain for five to ten minutes.
5. Rinse the carpet using wet paper towels.
6. Once the stain disappears, dry the excess moisture using additional paper towels.

Frequently asked questions

How can I get rid of dried-up mustard stains?

To remove a dried-up mustard stain, you can actually use an additional blob of fresh mustard on it, just enough to cover its surface.

Allow it to sit on the old stain for a few minutes. This process reactivates the turmeric to prepare the region for cleaning. You can then remove the blob with a spoon or blunt knife and apply the dish soap and hydrogen peroxide method.

How do I remove set-in mustard stains on the carpet?

Stains become set because of being left untreated for long periods. If the mustard stain, despite several cleaning attempts, remains visible, you can try using oxygen bleach and cold water.

However, do a spot test on a small hidden part of the carpet so that you do not damage your carpet.

1. Mix one part bleach and three parts water and sprinkle on the affected region.
2. Using an old toothbrush, work the mixture on the affected area and allow it to sit for an hour to react before rinsing with cold water and paper towels.
3.  Repeat the process until the stain is no longer visible.

How do I determine the best method to use on different carpets?

The best way is to do a spot test on an inconspicuous part of the carpet. Note, hydrogen peroxide has bleaching properties, so be careful when using it. Club soda is mild and won’t cause any harm to your carpet. Dish soap that is enzymatic is the most recommended because it breaks down organic compounds using enzyme-producing bacteria.

Wrapping up

Now that you know how to deal with mustard stains, you can enjoy mustard on all your favorite meals. Be careful though, or you will find yourself cleaning the carpet all the time. So set ground rules for whenever you are enjoying your meal or having friends over for a barbeque. All the above methods have been tested and proven to remove mustard stains, but you can also consider getting a commercial enzymatic cleaner from the local stores.