How to Remove Turmeric Stains From Your Hands, Counters, Clothes, and More

Used in curries, soups, traditional Tadka Dal dishes and more, turmeric can add a beautifully earthy, peppery touch to a meal. It has also been used for centuries to dye fabric naturally. What does that mean for your kitchen countertops and fingertips? Well, turmeric won't discriminate—the spice is famous for staining any and all surfaces. "I think everyone who cooks with turmeric has had at least one 'uh-oh' moment," says recipe developer Marissa Stevens.

If you want to tackle a turmeric stain, we have you covered. We consulted with experts who shared their best tips and tricks for how to remove turmeric stains from all around your home. (You probably already have the items you need on hand, too.)

Why Is Turmeric So Difficult to Remove in the First Place?

Turmeric is renowned as a natural dye, explains expert launderer Melia Long. “It’s used to evenly color fabrics in some parts of the world. It has a compound called curcumin, which binds really quickly to fibers."

Moreover, adds Long, when it comes to cooking, you're likely working with an additional fat. This, plus the pigment, "makes it that much more difficult to remove," she explains.

How to Remove Turmeric Stains from Fabric

If you didn’t intend to dye your favorite cotton blouse with turmeric while cooking, don’t panic just yet. With a few basic household ingredients and helpful guidance from Long, you can likely remove the pesky stain.

Materials Needed:

• Cold water
• White vinegar
• Mild dish soap
• Baking soda
• Toothbrush

Instructions:

1. Rinse the stain immediately with cold water.
   
2. Dab on dish soap and white vinegar, allowing the mixture to set for 10-15 minutes.
   
3. Gently scrub the stain with an old toothbrush.
   
4. If the stain is particularly stubborn (or has had time to set in), add baking soda to the mixture and repeat the process.
   
5. Wash the garment or linen according to the care instructions.
6. Line dry the garment in direct sunlight. The sun can help further lighten stains on the fabric. Continue to launder and line-dry until you're sure the stain has been removed. (The high heat from your dryer can further set the stain.)

How to Remove Turmeric Stains from Hard Surfaces

Turmeric can latch on to a variety of surfaces, like your countertop or plastic leftover containers. “Anything with tiny grooves or texture seems to grab on tight,” Stevens says.

Here’s how to tackle hard-surface stains due to turmeric. 

Materials Needed:

• Cleaning cloth
• Cold water
• Non-abrasive sponge
• Baking soda
• Dish soap

Instructions:

1. Wet a cleaning cloth with cold water and immediately wipe up any remaining turmeric.
   
2. Mix a paste of equal parts baking soda, cold water, and dish soap.
   
3. Apply the mixture to the stained surface, allowing to sit for 15 minutes.
   
4. Scrub the stain with the non-abrasive sponge.
   
5. Portable items—like stained leftover containers—can also be left to dry in the sun to help naturally lighten the stain.

How to Remove Turmeric Stains from Skin and Nails

For folks who cook frequently with turmeric, like Stevens, it’s common for skin and nails to become stained with the spice, especially if you’re not wearing gloves. Try the below method to return skin and nails to their previous hue.

Instructions:

• Sugar
• Lemon juice
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton pads
• Moisturizer
• Water

Steps to Remove Turmeric Stains on Skin and Fingernails

1. Mix one part sugar with one part lemon juice to form a natural scrub.
   
2. After patch testing, rub the mixture gently over your hands.
   
3. Rinse off under running water.
   
4. For nails, dip a cotton pad into rubbing alcohol.
   
5. Rub the damp cotton pad over each stained fingernail (similar to how you’d use nail polish remover).
   
6. Rinse your hands and apply your favorite moisturizer. 

Pro Tips for Treating Turmeric Stains

Keep these tips in mind when treating turmeric stains, say our experts:

• The quicker you can treat the stain, the better. Turmeric is much harder to remove once it's had time to set.
  
• Never use hot water to treat turmeric stains on fabric—it’ll set the turmeric in place.
  
• Avoid abrasive scrubbing pads; they can make things worse by grinding the pigment into the material.
  
• Always test anything stronger than vinegar on an inconspicuous spot first.
  
• Steer clear of harsh bleach on colored fabrics; it can damage the fabric and won’t necessarily get rid of the yellow tint.