Q. We spilled some turmeric spice on our blue stone kitchen floor. Any ideas on how to remove it?
A. First, blot up any fresh turmeric with a soft cloth or paper towel. Avoid rubbing. It will push the staining agents deeper into the stone. Mix a few drops of pH-neutral stone cleaner or gentle dish soap with warm water. Dampen a soft cloth or sponge and gently blot the stained area. Rinse with clean water and blot dry.
The yellow-orange color of turmeric comes from curcumin, a natural dye that binds to oils and fats. Here's the kicker. Turmeric powder contains natural oils that help the pigment stick. On sealed stone, one should have a little extra time to wipe up a turmeric spill before it becomes a stain. If sealer is compromised, turmeric can get under it and into the stone. The oils in turmeric make water-based DIY cleaning less effective.
If the initial cleaning doesn't remove the spot, try this: Pour 20-50% hydrogen peroxide directly on the stain. You'll need to purchase this at a beauty supply store, because the regular drug store variety is too weak. Leave this in place until the bubbling stops. Hopefully this will remove the stain. If not, there's one more thing you can try...
Poultice with 20-50% hydrogen peroxide and poultice powder. A poultice draws the stain out of the stone over time. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to mix and apply a poultice correctly, check out our free Stain Management App. You may need to reapply the poultice several times to completely remove the stain.
CAUTION: Do not use ammonia or alkaline type cleaners on turmeric stains as this may permanently stain the stone.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fred Hueston is the Chief Technical Director at SurfaceCarePROS.com and Director at StoneForensics.com. He is also the author of Stone and Tile Restoration: The Manual, a comprehensive online manual for stone and tile restoration contractors. [Learn more about Fred.]
Article ID: 844
Created: January 3, 2026
Last Updated: January 11, 2026
Author: Fred Hueston
Online URL: https://surfacecarepros.com/kb/article/how-to-remove-turmeric-spice-on-a-blue-stone-kitchen-floor-844.html