How to remove curry stains

Known for its fiery flavour and rich, creamy sauce, curry is a favourite for many Asian dishes. However, curry stain removal can be a tough task, as vivid ingredients such as turmeric – a bright spice containing the yellow pigment, curcumin – has the tendency to stain fabrics and furniture.

If you need to fix an unfortunate curry stain in a rush, here are some tips to save the day.

Removing curry stains on surfaces

To tackle curry stains on kitchen tops, floors, or any other hard surface, first try swapping your regular kitchen top cleaner for a robust anti-bacterial spray. Check the label for proper instructions, but where possible leave the spray on for a few minutes before working at the stain with a cloth.Alternatively, you can try to remove the stain with a homemade cleaning paste – just be sure to test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area, as these can be slightly abrasive.

• Mix water and bicarbonate of soda together to form a paste.
• Apply it to the stain, and rub gently with a soft cloth.
• Rinse and repeat as necessary.

Removing curry stains from fabrics

For those curry stains that find their way on to your clothes (particularly sleeves and laps), try these three effective, easy-to-apply solutions. Make sure to test any method on a small area first, and to follow the directions on the product’s label as well as on your garment’s care label.

• Laundry detergent. Good laundry detergents, like Persil small & mighty, can help treat tough stains. If you find a curry stain on your clothing, apply a bit of liquid Persil detergent directly on the stain and gently rub it in. You can also let the garment soak in a basin or sink in cold water with a bit more Persil detergent. Then, wash the garment as usual.
• Lemon. As well as adding a mouth-watering zing to your Balti, lemon is a handy ally in the battle against turmeric stain removal. Simply slice a lemon in half, squeeze it onto the stain, and leave it for half an hour. Then, wash your garment normally, following the directions on the label of your detergent.

Removing curry stains from furniture

Having a curry night in the comfort of your own home often results in a few spillages and furniture stains. If possible, it’s best to remove any stained covers and launder them according to the manufacturer’s instructions, but if not, follow the steps below to leave sofas looking their best again.

• Scrape off as much curry as possible from the stained area.
• Take a liquid biological detergent (we like Persil) and rub a small amount directly into the stain. Leave for a minute or so.
• Dab the mark gently with a cold wet cloth to flush out the stain.
• Rinse the cloth, and repeat until the stain has gone.

If you’re in a hurry, and can’t get hold of a biological detergent, you can also try this homemade cleaning solution:

• After scraping the worst of the stain off the sofa, mix two cups of cold water, one tablespoon of a good quality washing up liquid, and one tablespoon of white vinegar.
• Apply the solution to the stain with a clean cloth.
• Soak up the excess liquid using a sponge.
• Repeat steps 3-4 until the stain is a bygone memory.

Removing curry stains from tablecloths and coverings

As the most likely place to find curry stains, the humble tablecloth is the ultimate test for curry stain removal techniques. These stains are best tackled using a multi-pronged strategy incorporating several of the methods described above.

• Dip the sheet in lukewarm water.
• Apply neat Persil liquid biological detergent.
• Rinse thoroughly with cold water.
• Rinse once more, and then wash as normal.

​Eating in a state of high alert isn’t fun for anyone. Luckily, with these tips you can enjoy a delicious curry and relax, knowing that you’re prepared for anything.