For a long time, I avoided using turmeric because of the dreaded turmeric stain on the skin. If you are a bit scared like I was, you can stop worrying. I’ll show you how to remove turmeric stains from skin so you can pull that turmeric right back out of your pantry. These 10 methods for removing turmeric are simple and should work almost instantly.
How To Remove Turmeric Stains From Skin
To remove turmeric stains from skin, take a tablespoon of baking soda and mix it with lemon juice and water until it creates a paste. Take this baking soda paste and put it directly on the stained skin. Gently scrub the area with the paste, then rinse with soap and water. If you still notice there is a turmeric stain, start over and repeat the process as needed. If you have a cut on your hand, the lemon juice will burn; look for something like milk or even coconut oil as an alternative.
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Alternative Methods To Remove Turmeric Stains from Skin
The baking soda and lemon juice stain remover is my favorite. However, other options exist if you don’t have lemon juice in your pantry.
Castor, Coconut, or Olive Oil
To remove turmeric stains with coconut oil, heat the oil in the microwave for about ten seconds. Then place a small amount on a cotton ball or cotton pad and rub it into the stained area of skin. Coconut oil or castor oil are equipped with fatty acids that help to remove stains.
The best part about coconut or castor oil is not worrying about acidic ingredients stinging your skin. As a side note, I did try coconut milk and did not have as much luck with turmeric stain removal.
Sugar Scrub
If your turmeric stains have sat on your skin for a little while, use a sugar scrub for removing turmeric stains. Sugar is a natural exfoliator, and it makes it easier for your skin to shed that top layer where the turmeric lingers.
Pour a tablespoon of sugar and a tablespoon of water into a bowl, and combine until they make a paste (you may have to add a little extra sugar). Scrub the paste on the stubborn turmeric stains, rinse with dish soap and water, and repeat.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is known for breaking up strong chemical bonds that will help remove turmeric stains. Turmeric stained nails or skin can benefit from a quick cotton ball dipped in peroxide being rubbed over the area.
Peroxide does a good job of cleaning and disinfecting, but again, if you have an open wound, it could sting.
Shaving Cream
Shaving cream contains hydrogen peroxide, which makes it an excellent choice for stubborn stains. Take a little shaving cream and spray it right on the area where you are looking to remove the turmeric stain.
Let the shaving cream sit for about five minutes. You can then rinse with liquid dish soap and repeat if necessary.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has acidic properties that help break down the oil and dye in the turmeric. Whether dealing with fresh turmeric or powdered turmeric, you can simply apply a little apple cider vinegar to the stained area.
Add a few drops to a cotton ball, spread it on, let it sit for a few minutes, wipe it with a paper towel, and then rinse with warm water and soap. If you have sensitive skin, any kind of acidic product can sting.
Lemon
My favorite way to deal with turmeric stained hands is to combine baking soda with lemon. However, with the acidic properties of lemon, you may also be able to just squeeze a little lemon directly on the spot and see the turmeric disappear.
For more yellow stains, I think you will need that baking soda to scrub and get the stains from the skin.
Milk
Cow milk contains lactic acid, which helps to break down a turmeric stain. Simply use a cotton ball to wipe a little milk on the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wash it off. If you have any type of skin allergies, milk can undoubtedly be an allergen, be aware of this before you apply.
One positive of milk is that it’s similar to coconut oil or olive oil in that it’s not as harsh on your skin.
Baking Soda
Baking soda should be made into a paste before being used to remove stains from the skin. Baking soda has bleaching properties that help in removing stubborn stains from turmeric.
Create a paste using baking soda and water and rub it on the stained area; let the mild cleanser sit on the area for about five minutes, and then rinse with soap and water. If any of the turmeric stained your clothes, you could use this as a pre-treatment before applying laundry detergent.
Honey and Lemon
If lemon on its own is a bit too harsh, try combining a tablespoon of honey with some drops of lemon juice. Use a soft toothbrush and move in a circular motion around the stain. Rinse the area with hand soap and dry with paper towels.
Honey can be more soothing for the skin than a commercial cleaning solution, but combining it with acidic lemon juice will help get the stain out.
Hand Sanitizer
This method may seem too simple for removing stains from your skin, but it works. Hand sanitizer has rubbing alcohol in it, and it can work on a fresh turmeric stain. Simply put the hand sanitizer on, rub it into the stain, and then rinse.
Normally you wouldn’t have to rinse after using hand sanitizer, but in this situation, you remove all turmeric remnants.
Amodex Stain Remover
It can be hard to find a stain remover that is safe to use on your hands and will remove turmeric. Originally designed to remove printing ink from hands in the 1950’s, the Amodex Stain Remover is a trusted option that works for both dyes and oils, making it a good solution for turmeric stains. Simply apply this to your hands, rub it in, rinse, and repeat as necessary.
It’s not just me, reviews by other users comment on how effective but gentle the product is on the skin and that there’s no harsh smell. Now, it’s not going to remove all stains like sharpie marker stains, but it does the job well for turmeric stains.
Background Information on Turmeric Stains
Now that you have made it through all the methods to remove turmeric stains, I can tell you that the combination of oil and natural dye in the turmeric is what makes it so difficult to remove. I would think about wearing gloves when working with turmeric.
In addition, think about rinsing turmeric as you are working with it. If you wait until you are cleaning up the meal, some staining has already occurred, making it more difficult to remove. If you have very dry skin, be careful with turmeric stains, as even when you gently scrub, you may scratch or irritate the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can turmeric permanently stain skin?
Turmeric will not permanently stain your skin. In fact, most of the time, the stain you’re dealing with is a dye and not the original turmeric. It may take some time and effort, but you can remove turmeric.
How long does it take for turmeric stains to fade?
A turmeric stain will fade on its own in a few days, especially on skin with regular washing. However, using common household items can speed up the process, often removing turmeric stains within a few minutes.
What can I do if the stain doesn’t completely disappear?
A turmeric stain will eventually disappear. However, apple cider vinegar or Amodex Stain Remover could be effective in reducing or eliminating the remaining stain.
