Turmeric is one of my favorite bath additives. When I first started using it, I was concerned it might stain the tub.
Turmeric might stain your bathtub. While a 20-minute soak in ½ cup or less of turmeric is unlikely to stain your bathtub, it’s wise to clean your tub with a baking soda solution immediately after you bathe.
Let’s explore the best way to clean your bathtub to prevent stains, the benefits of using turmeric in the bathtub, and a turmeric bath recipe.
How to Clean Your Tub So It Won’t Stain
Immediately after bathing in turmeric, drain the water and inspect your tub basin in good light. If you notice any staining, apply a baking soda solution for 10-20 minutes. Next, rinse the solution and dry with a soft microfiber cloth or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
If I’ve taken the turmeric bath before bed, I’ll just put on the baking soda solution, then go to sleep and rinse the tub out in the morning.
It’s always best to know your bathtub material, in order to find the most effective cleaning solution. Is your tub made from one of these common materials?
- Fiberglass
- Acrylic
- Porcelain-Enameled Steel
- Porcelain-Enameled Cast Iron
- Wood
- Copper
- Stone
- Stone Resin
If you’re not sure what material your tub is made from, check out this guide to cleaning your tub. It will show you a quick test you can do to figure it out. I had no idea if my tub was fiberglass or acrylic, but this information helped me figure it out in about 10 seconds.
Baking Soda Cleaning Solutions
| Tub Material | Cleaning Solution |
|---|---|
| Fiberglass | Mix 2 parts baking soda, 1 part warm water |
| Acrylic | Mix 2 parts baking soda, 1 part warm water |
| Porcelain Enameled Steel | Mix ½ cup baking soda, 2 cups warm water, ¼ cup dishwashing detergent |
| Porcelain Enameled Cast Iron | Mix ½ cup baking soda, 2 cups warm water, ¼ cup dishwashing detergent |
| Stone Resin | Don’t use baking soda. See manufacturer’s instructions |
One important note: While baking soda can be effective on most bathtub materials, it may damage the finish on a stone resin tub. For a stone resin bathtub, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the best way to scrub stains.
Protect Towels and Bath Mat from Turmeric Stains
Turmeric will stain light-colored towels or a light-colored bath mat. In fact, in ancient times, turmeric powder was used specifically to dye fabrics. With that caution, you’ll want to plan ahead and find a dark-colored towel to use when you step out of the tub. And avoid stepping on your mat.
How to Clean Turmeric Stains on Towels
If you do accidentally stain your towels, my immediate impulse would be to soak them in hot water. But that would be a bad move! Hot water can set the stain. Instead, soak your towel in cold water mixed with a mild detergent for a half hour. Then wash normally. Do the same if you stain a fabric bath mat.
Plan Ahead to Prevent Stains
The best thing to do is to plan ahead. Think about where you will step when you get out of the tub. If you have an old towel or dish rag to step on that works well. Then immediately wipe your hands and the bottom of your feet with a dark-colored towel or some rag. This way, you won’t risk staining anything you care about. And have your baking soda and sponge ready.
Benefits of Using Turmeric in the Tub
Turmeric is a root vegetable. Because of its beautiful golden color, ancient Indian culture associates the root with fertility and prosperity, and it to this day, it continues to be used on a bride’s skin before the wedding.
Even today, turmeric is used in cosmetics and other agents applied to the skin. The active ingredient, curcumin, has antibacterial properties. Not only can it help alleviate a breakout, but also it can calm blotchy, red skin. Soaking in turmeric in the tub can leave your skin with a beautiful glow.
In addition to cosmetic effects, turmeric is anti-inflammatory and is reported to be helpful for arthritis. Taken orally, studies show that turmeric prevented rheumatoid arthritis in lab animals.
Bath Recipe with Turmeric
There are several bath recipes that you can make using turmeric:
The Basic Turmeric Bath Recipe
The easiest way to use turmeric in the tub is to fill your tub with warm water and mix in ½ cup turmeric. Then soak for 20 minutes.
Milk and Honey Bath Recipe with Turmeric
If you’re looking for a more decadent bath recipe, I suggest this incredible milk and honey bath recipe with turmeric and ginger. Every ingredient in this recipe serves a purpose. The turmeric will give your bath a luxurious golden hue. Beyond that, it will make your skin glow, while the ginger will detoxify you (and cause you to sweat a bit).
The smell of orange peel will reduce your stress and the frankincense can join the turmeric to help alleviate any joint pain. Finally, the milk will help exfoliate your skin while the honey will moisturize it.
Ingredients for Milk and Honey Bath with Turmeric
- ½ Cup Raw Manuka Honey
- 1 Cup Whole Cow’s Milk
- 2 Tbsp Dried Turmeric
- 2 Tbsp Dried Ginger
- Orange Peel Ribbons
- 20 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil
- 4 Tbsp Sweet Almond Oil
- 1 cup Assorted Dried Flowers
Directions for Milk and Honey Bath with Turmeric
- Put honey into a dish and microwave it for about 15 seconds.
- Next, mix honey into a mug of coconut milk. Stir in dried turmeric and dried ginger.
- In separate bowl, add 20 drops frankincense essential oil to 4 Tbsp sweet almond oil.
- Fill tub with hot water. Add all ingredients and stir with hand.
- Toss in a handful of strawflowers and gomphrena globosa flowers.
- Slip into the tub and relax!
Note: When warming the honey in the microwave, you want to warm it but not make it hot, so check every 10 additional seconds. The idea is to get it into a state where it can more easily dissolve into your tub water, but you don’t want to ruin the amazing emollient and healing properties of the raw honey.
If you have sensitive skin, you will want to patch test the essential oil before using. Here are directions for skin patch testing essential oils. Anyone who has circulatory issues, is pregnant or breastfeeding, has chronic illness or is over the age of 70 should consult a physician before using essential oils.
A Customized Turmeric Bath Recipe
You can combine turmeric with other kitchen spices and ingredients to give yourself the exact healing formula that you need. For much more information about various types of milk, honey, spices and fruit peels to use in your tub, read this post.
Is Taking a Turmeric Bath Worth It?
As long as you’ve got your cleaning solution at the ready—as well as a dark-colored or older towel you don’t mind staining—you’ll get all the upside and avoid any permanent staining. Then you can experience the glow that ancient people experienced by using this golden spice. And who knows!? You may even enjoy the blessings of fertility and prosperity, too!
Tags: baking soda, bath recipe, bathtub, clean, discolor, stain, tub, turmeric, will turmeric stain my bathtub, will turmeric stain my tub, will turmeric stain your bathtub, will turmeric stain your tub