Quick answer: Turmeric stains because curcumin, the pigment that gives it its colour, fixes easily onto textile fibres and light-coloured surfaces. Light, particularly ultraviolet, helps break down this pigment, which explains the effect of sun exposure on a stain that is still damp. Acting quickly, before the stain dries, remains a useful step.
Turmeric leaves a particularly stubborn yellow stain, more noticeable than that of other powdered spices: understanding why helps to know which steps stand a chance of working.
Why turmeric stains so much
Turmeric owes its colour to curcumin, a highly coloured natural pigment that fixes easily onto textile fibres and onto light-coloured surfaces such as plastic or certain worktops, far more lastingly than an ordinary food pigment.
Acting before the stain dries
A turmeric stain that is still damp is easier to treat than one that has already dried: rinsing the area with cold water as soon as possible, without waiting, limits the amount of pigment that has time to fix itself into the fabric.
Light, an ally against curcumin
Curcumin breaks down under the effect of light: scientific studies show that exposure, particularly to ultraviolet light, speeds up its chemical breakdown and the fading of its colour. This is the principle behind the effect of prolonged sun exposure on a damp turmeric stain, laid flat or hung on a line.
On a worktop or utensils
On a non-porous surface, worktop, chopping board or plastic container, cleaning with a little patience is usually enough, as curcumin clings less lastingly than it does to textile fibres.
What is best avoided
It is best to check that a turmeric stain has completely disappeared before ironing the fabric or putting it through a tumble dryer on a high setting: as long as the stain has not gone, heat risks making things worse rather than helping.
On hands
On skin, turmeric usually comes off with repeated washing with soap, with a little more patience sometimes needed on nails, where the pigment stays visible longer than on the rest of the hand.
Light fabrics and dark fabrics
A turmeric stain stays noticeably more visible on a light fabric than on one that is already dark, where the yellow of the curcumin is less obvious at first glance; the benefit of acting quickly, before the stain dries, however, stays the same in both cases.
Where our turmeric comes from
Our family grows this turmeric in Vangaindrano, in the southeast of Madagascar, and prepares it as a powder.
Frequently asked questions
Why does turmeric stain more than other spices?
Turmeric owes its colour to curcumin, a highly coloured natural pigment that fixes easily onto textile fibres and light-coloured surfaces.
Does the sun really lift a turmeric stain?
Curcumin breaks down under the effect of light, particularly ultraviolet, which explains why a damp stain exposed to the sun fades gradually.
Does the stain need treating straight away?
Yes, a stain that is still damp is easier to treat than one that has already dried: rinsing the area with cold water as soon as possible limits the amount of pigment that fixes.
Can a fabric stained with turmeric be ironed?
It is best to check that the stain has completely disappeared before ironing or tumble-drying the fabric on a high setting, as heat risks making it harder to remove.
Our products to go further: Madagascar Turmeric · Madagascar Turmeric, Glass Jar
To find out everything about this spice, see our page on Madagascar turmeric.
The Vanille Désiré team
