How to Get Mustard Out of Clothes

Mustard is notorious for being difficult to get out of clothing. To ensure that your white cotton shirt doesn't retain that mustard stain you need to act fast. Learn some quick and easy home remedies for removing mustard stains from all your clothing.

Removing Mustard From Cotton

The yellow pigment of mustard is so hard to get out of your clothes because it can actually dye the fibers yellow. Therefore, that mustard stain on your white cotton shirt needs to be treated fast.

Supplies

• 1 tablespoon Dawn
• 2 tablespoon peroxide
• 2 tablespoons laundry detergent
• Spoon
• Bucket

Directions

You never want to use a paper towel or napkin to wipe the mustard off because this is going to make it worse. Then, follow these steps:

1. Use the spoon to scrape off as much of the mustard as you can.
2. Run cold water on to the back of the stain trying to push the stain out of the material. Warm water sets stains, so make sure it is cold.
3. Combine the Dawn and peroxide.
4. Since peroxide can be a natural bleaching agent, you'll want to test the mixture on a small discrete area to ensure it won't hurt the color before you begin.
5. Apply mixture to the stain after doing the test.
6. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
7. Fill a bucket with cold water and add the laundry detergent.
8. Let it sit overnight.
9. Check the stain and repeat the peroxide and Dawn mixture as necessary.
10. Wash as normal.

Getting Mustard of Polyester

You're at the ballgame and accidently dripped a little gourmet mustard on your favorite polyester shirt. Getting moving is key. You'll need a few key ingredients to ensure that stain doesn't set.

Supplies

• Knife or something to scrap it off
• Paper towel or napkins
• Running water
• Pre-treater like Spray and Wash or white vinegar

Directions

Your first defense against the stain is scraping it off. Once it's scraped off, you'll:

1. Use the paper towel or napkin to blot up as much of the stain as you can. Keep blotting with a clean area until nothing else comes up. Remember blot, not rub.
2. Flush the fibers with water. Using cold water on the back of the stain, flush it out of the fabric.
3. Rather than wringing out the water, you'll immediately apply the white vinegar or pre-treater to the stain. Let it sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes, but it can sit on the stain until it can make it to the washer.
4. Wash the mustard-stained clothing with color safe bleach in addition to your normal laundry detergent.

Fighting Mustard Stains on Leather

Since mustard contains turmeric, it can be detrimental to your leather coat. While acting fast can help, it should be noted the removing it completely can be difficult.

Supplies

• Sponge
• Dish detergent
• Mixing bowl
• Leather conditioner
• Spoon or knife

Directions

The key is to remove as much as you can before it even sets in. Mustard isn't instantly absorbed so if you don't rub it in, you can mostly avoid staining by:

1. After scrapping off the mustard, you'll want to fill a bowl with warm water and about a tsp of dish detergent.
2. Mix it up to get nice suds.
3. Grab the suds with the sponge and use them to clean the stain away.
4. Keep gently scrubbing with suds until the stain is gone.
5. Condition leather with a leather conditioner.

Removing Mustard Stains From Suede

Like leather, a mustard stain on your favorite suede shoes can be pretty disastrous. Rather than freak or throw them away, get your cleaning arsenal ready.

Supplies

• White vinegar or suede cleaner
• Cloth
• Suede brush
• Scrapper (knife or spoon)

Directions

Cleaning is a battlefield. You are now ready to fight the feared mustard stain by:

1. Scape way the excess liquid.
2. Grab a plain white cloth and put a dab or two of white vinegar on it.
3. Rub the cloth on the stain.
4. Repeat with a new area until the stain disappears.
5. Brush your suede using the brush.

Cleaning Mustard Stains From Dry-Clean Only Clothes

Now it is time for the dreaded, dry-clean only clothes. In most cases, you will have to take these to a professional cleaner to get the stain removed. However, if you want to brave it at home, you can try.

Supplies

• White vinegar
• Knife or spoon
• Clean white clothes
• Cotton balls

Directions

Bear in mind, complete removal might not be possible, but you can give it a try by:

1. Scrap the mustard off. Hopefully this will leave as little as possible of a stain.
2. Use the cotton ball to try to blot up as much of the stain as you can.
3. Dampen a cloth with water (you want it lightly damp not dripping).
4. Blot the stain with the wet cloth.
5. Using another cloth, add a dab or two of white vinegar.
6. Blot the stain.
7. Repeat using a clean area of the dampened cloth and vinegar until the stain is gone.

If the stain can't be removed, take it to a dry cleaner.

The Staining Power of Mustard

You wouldn't think that a condiment could ruin your clothes, but it can and will happen if you don't act fast. Now that you are armed with stain fighting knowledge go fight that mustard stain on your new wool dress pants.