How to Remove Mustard Stains

The following will explain how to remove mustard stains from carpet - if they can be removed. The truth is, mustard is one of the tough ones, and if the stain is old it is likely to be permanent. On the other hand, even when they cannot be removed completely, sometimes stains can be lightened enough that they become unnoticeable.

If it's a fresh spill, do your best not to spread it while cleaning it up. Scoop the mustard up from two sides at once using a could spoons or small pieces of cereal box (something stiff). If you have a wet/dry vacuum available, try to suck the rest out, perhaps adding a drop or two of water to loosen it.

Once that is done, and/or if you have an old stain,it is time to get out the hydrogen peroxide - the 3% variety you can buy at grocery and drug stores. Soak a corner of a white cotton cloth with it and dab at the stain until it is covered - but try not to let the hydrogen peroxide soak down to the carpet backing. Allow this to sit for ten to twenty minutes. Rinse with water (blot it up repeatedly with a clean cloth) and move to the drying routine outlined below, or - if there is still a stain - move on to the next step.

Mix two ounces of white vinegar with four ounces of warm water and apply some of this to the spot using a spray bottle (or carefully drip it). Blot this up with white paper towels or a clean white cotton cloth. Repeat this process until the mixture is gone (three or four applications). If there is still mustard, move on to the next step. Otherwise skip to the rinsing and drying instructions.

Mix a pinch of bleach-free laundry detergent with water to create a paste. Work this into the spot and scrub gently with your fingers. Rinse repeatedly with water, blotting it up each time with paper towels or a clean white cotton rag. If there is still a stain, you can try a rinse and gentle scrub with club soda, but it may be permanent in any case.

After the spot has been rinsed, dry it quickly. A wet/dry shop-vac can help with this. You can also stack some white paper towels over the spot and weight them down with something that will not be damaged by the moisture. Replace them as they get wet, and finish by placing a fan where it can blow on the spot for an hour or two.

That's how to remove mustard stains or lighten them, but it will not always work. In that case you might hide the spot under furniture or a rug.