Spoon University Logo
DSC 3165 1
DSC 3165 1
Lifestyle

How to Get Food Coloring Off Your Skin in 5 Steps

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at American chapter.

Whether you’re coloring eggs at Easter or are participating in the awful unicorn/mermaid trend, chances are you’re working with food coloring. It’s a ton of fun for while, but then you realize it’s all over you and you don’t know how to get food coloring your skin, much less off your pants and bowls. Don’t fear, because this simple trick will help teach you how to get food coloring off skin in five easy steps.

1. Pre-Rinse Your Skin

Sanitary Kitchen Mistakes water fish
Jedd Marrero

The first step for getting food coloring off your skin is to rinse your skin first and rub off as much as you can with an old wash cloth.

2. Drench a Washcloth in White Vinegar

The second step is to wet a washcloth or paper towel in white vinegar. Be sure to wring out any excess before applying to your skin.

3. Rub the Cloth Over the Dyed Skin

Gently rub your skin with the cloth. Rinse the cloth with water when it starts to stain from the dye. Be sure to be gentle, as you don’t want to be too harsh on your skin.

4. Make a Paste for Difficult Stains

how to get food coloring off skin flour bread
Jocelyn Hsu

If the stain doesn’t wanting to come out, rinse your skin well with water to get the vinegar off and then make a baking soda paste. Mix the baking soda with a little (very little) bit of water and rub it onto your skin.

5. Alternate Between the Paste and the Vinegar

how to defrost a mini fridge sweet
Norah Cliff

After rubbing your skin with the paste, rinse your skin with water, and then apply the vinegar again. Repeat these steps as necessary, but be sure to give your skin a break before repeating.

Easter eggs or rainbow cakes can be fun, but they’re also a total mess, especially if you’re not sure how to get food coloring off skin easily. These easy, pantry-ready tips should be able to get the dye off in a few rounds of rubbing. 

Spoon University Placeholder Avatar
BryAna Stearns

American '19

Lover of baking, carbs, knitting, reading, and kickboxing. Oxford comma activist and cat enthusiast.