Curry is delicious and it contains a combination of spices, most notably turmeric. Turmeric has a lot of curcuminoids in it, which is where curry gets its color from. Curcuminoids are also very potent anti-inflammatory agents, which is why curry is so good for you.
Curry that is spilled onto clothing, rugs, and other items, can be very difficult to remove but it isn’t impossible. Toothpaste is a great way to remove curry stains on clothes and other material items easily and quickly.
How to remove curry stains with toothpaste
The good thing about using toothpaste to remove curry stains is that you can use any type of toothpaste you like, and it only takes a small amount to work properly.
Cover the curry stain with a layer of toothpaste and rub it in. If the stain is mild, you can put it straight into your washing machine on a normal wash. this will lift the stain during the wash.
If the stain is older, deeper or made with curry paste, then you will need to cover the area in toothpaste, soak it in a bucket of cold water with a small scoop of stain remover. Leave it to soak for at least an hour, but overnight is better. You can then put it in your wash and the stain will lift.
If the curry stain is on a rug or carpet, you will need to use a wet vac to clean the carpet thoroughly.
There are numerous other ways to remove curry stains with home ingredients, and a lot of it depends on what type of item the curry is on. Check out the easy steps to remove curry stains from fabric using toothpaste below.
Steps to remove curry stains with toothpaste
Here are the easy steps to remove curry stains from your clothing or other fabric items using toothpaste.
1. Remove excess curry as soon as possible
The sooner you start to remove your curry stain, the more success you’ll have at doing just that. As soon as you spill curry onto either a dress or a rug, for example, you can take a spoon or a butter knife and rub the curry off of the item before you do anything else.
Never use a sharp knife or anything else that might ruin the fabric. A teaspoon is another great way to scrape the curry off.
2. Cover the stain in toothpaste
Cover the curry stain with toothpaste with your finger or an old toothbrush. Wipe it over the area and let it soak in for 5-10 minutes.
You can also mix water and heavy-duty laundry detergent together and place the mixture on the curry spot. Make sure that the detergent you use is specifically made for removing stains for the best results.
3. Soak the item in cold water
As soon as this is done, soak the item in cold water for at hour or overnight, but check on it occasionally to see if the stain has started to lift. If the stain is old, or very stubborn, add a small scoop of stain remover to the bucket. This will just aid the process.
I needed to do this with this deep curry paste stain but water will work fine for light stains.
4. Wash the item in your washing machine
Wash the item with the toothpaste in the your washing machine on an eco cycle. If the stain is deep, put it on a normal or stain removing cycle. This was enough to lift deep stain from curry paste.
5. Air dry the item
If practical, try to air-dry the item instead of placing it in the dryer.
How to remove curry stains with ingredients you have at home
Here some other great ways to remove stains off your clothes, towels, rugs or tablecloths.
1. White Vinegar
If it is a white garment that you’re trying to clean, you can use vinegar on it. Simply pour the white vinegar directly onto the stain, then take an old toothbrush and rub it.
After you do this, rinse the garment thoroughly then wash it in cold water. If you tried this on colored clothing, the colors may bleed. This is why you should only use this method when the stain is on white clothing.
2. Lemon Juice
This is a very simple cleaner. All you need to do I is pour some lemon juice onto the stain then wash it as you normally would. The acid in lemon juice will work to quickly remove the curry stain.
3. Baking Soda Paste
To use this method, just mix baking soda and water until it forms a thick paste, then rub the paste into the stain.
After you do this, let the garment dry completely, then wash and dry it according to the directions on the label. Make sure that the paste is nice and thick and that it dries completely before washing if you want the best results.
Note: Baking soda can also be used to kill cockroaches, check out my article here for more: How Does Baking Soda Kill Roaches? | Plus Homemade Recipe
4. Dishwashing Detergent
Another simple method is to place any dishwashing detergent directly onto your curry stain before you place the item in the washing machine. Put as much detergent as you think is necessary for the best results.
5. Baking Soda and Peroxide
For this mixture, combine baking soda with hydrogen peroxide until you get a thick paste (the thicker the better). Apply it to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes before washing it as you normally do.
Make sure you use gloves when you make up this mix because the peroxide can irritate or burn the skin.
5. Baking Soda and Distilled White Vinegar for Carpet Stains
To remove curry from your carpet, make a paste from three parts baking soda and one part distilled white vinegar, then rub it directly on the curry stain. Scrub the stain until it has disappeared, then rinse it with cold water and let it dry naturally.
6. Dishwashing Liquid, White Vinegar and Peroxide for Plastic Items
To remove curry stains out of plastic items, make a mixture out of three teaspoons of dishwashing liquid, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide.
Apply the mixture to the stain and scrub it until it disappears. Afterwards, rinse the item off with dishwashing detergent and some cold water.
7. Lemon Juice, Boiling Water and Baking Soda for Wood Items
Getting curry stains out of wood items can be a challenge, but it isn’t impossible. Simply put a quarter-cup of lemon juice into two cups of boiling water, and add enough baking soda to make a thick paste.
Take the paste and place it directly on the stain. Let it sit for 20 to 25 minutes, then take a damp towel and clean off the mixture until it’s completely gone.
Conclusion
Removing curry stains from clothing and other items can be done with ingredients you have at home. These methods are easy and inexpensive that anyone can use to remove pesky curry stains.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.