Removing mustard stains from clothes or other surfaces can be the toughest of all stain removal efforts. This is because mustard stains are caused by the yellow pigment or tumeric in mustard. The yellow pigment can actually dye fibers so it is important to remove the stain as quickly as possible.
Removing Mustard Stains | Coin-Op Laundry Raleigh NC
You will first want to remove any mustard remaining on the fabric using a blunt knife. Try to take care not to rub it any deeper into the fibers. Treat the stain with a heavy duty liquid detergent and then rinse thoroughly. Soak the garment in a diluted solution of all fabric or oxygen bleach for at least four hours. Launder as usual in cool water.
You can also add bleach to your washing machine or tub, but only if the clothing is white. If the clothing is white, use chlorine bleach, which should be quite effective in removing the stain. If the clothing is any other color, use color-safe bleach to avoid fading your clothing or covering it with white spots; this is a less powerful stain remover but may still succeed.
Bleach is typically added to a separate washing machine dispenser than the laundry detergent, which should also be added as usual. If your top-loaded machine has no dispenser, or if you are washing the clothes by hand, pour directly into machine or tub. Use 1 part bleach to 30 parts water, or about 1/2 cup (120 mL) for a typical laundry load.
Wash white cotton in hot water, and delicate clothing in warm or cold. The hotter the water, the more effective it will be at removing stains. However, hot water may damage delicate fabrics, or cause light-colored clothing to fade and stain other items in the washing machine. Check the clothing tag to find the maximum temperature the clothing can be washed at. When in doubt, wash delicate items in cold water.
Wash as soon as you can after applying the detergent or stain remover. Letting the stain remover sit on the stain for too long may make the stain harder to remove.
For Carpets and Upholstery you can try the following steps:
- Lift off any excess spill with a dull knife or spatula.
- Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) the area with a cleaning fluid.
- If the fabric is strong enough, tamp (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials) or scrape (the method of using a dull tool to gently lift off excess solid or caked-on stains) to loosen the stain.
- Flush with the dry-cleaning solvent.
- While tamping stain, blot excess material with an absorbent pad.
- If stain remains, sponge (the method of using a dampened pad to apply light strokes, moving outward from the center of the stain) with water and apply a wet spotter and a few drops of white vinegar.
- Tamp again to loosen stain.
- Flush with water.
- If stain persists, moisten area with 3% hydrogen peroxide and add a drop of ammonia (except on silk and wool).
- Do not let it bleach any longer than 15 minutes, then flush with water and allow to dry.
- When treating carpets, blot all excess liquid, then weigh down an absorbent pad with a heavy object.
- When all liquid has been absorbed, allow to thoroughly air dry.
For Acrylic, Plastic and Vinyl Surfaces
- Once mustard has set, the stain is almost impossible to remove from plastic materials.
- Immediately wipe up any spills with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water.
- Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
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