Remove tough stains with this easy homemade stain remover. Uses just 3 ingredients from your cabinets, costs WAY less than store-bought stain remover, and it works great!
How do you get a strawberry jam stain in the middle of your back? Kids. Oh look, you have grass stains on your knees. Kids again. And let’s not talk about how many times I’ve dripped coffee on my shirt…
Stains are a fact of life. My clothes, the kids’ clothes, hubby’s clothes. Mystery stains frequently show up on anything and everything.
I’ve slowly changed my laundry room supplies to natural products like Laundry Salts, Homemade Bleach Alternative, and DIY Linen Spray.
But one of the first DIY recipes I ever tried was homemade stain remover.
HOMEMADE STAIN REMOVER
This homemade stain remover works on practically every stain imaginable (even tough ones) like grass, grease stains, food, red wine stains, and even blood stains! Plus, it contains only 3 ingredients that I regularly keep on hand.
I am ALL ABOUT some cheap easy cleaning.
MY “OLD” LAUNDRY ROUTINE (THAT DIDN’T WORK)
I don’t know about you guys, but catching a stain BEFORE the clothes are washed is practically unheard of. It’s not until they’ve been washed, dried, and hung up on a hanger that I see the ugly stain. Gah!
Throwing the dirty shirt back into the hamper doesn’t work either. I inevitably forget and bury the clothes. This means the same clothes will get washed repeatedly before the stain is ever dealt with.
Seeing as this “system” is a bust, I came up with a new one.
MY “NEW” LAUNDRY ROUTINE (THAT WORKS EVERY TIME)
- Separate stained clothes. When I notice a stain, I still hang up the clothes. But instead of putting them away in my closet, I hang them on my bedroom door. Then, when it’s time to wash a load of laundry, I take the stained clothes with me too.
- Treat the stains. While a regular load is washing, I go to work on removing the stains. I pretreat the clothes with stain remover and let it soak in until it’s time to switch loads and start another. It’s just enough “sitting” time for the stain remover to do its job.
- Wash the treated clothes in hot water. I use my homemade laundry detergent – you can find the recipe here.
- Dry. Depending on the clothing, I either line dry or dry them in my dryer. I’m a huge advocate for line drying, though, because of its many benefits! It is gentler on your clothes and saves on electricity. Win-win!
Note: I’m known to forget about treated clothes and let them sit overnight. I haven’t had any problems with it or caused any issues to leave for over an hour.
WHY USE NATURAL STAIN REMOVER
Shortly after I started my real food journey, I started paying attention to the products I use in my home. MANY of the typical household cleaning and beauty products we used were full of chemicals I couldn’t pronounce. How was I to know which were the worst?
The more I researched, the more I wanted to toss everything at once and start over. But the frugal side of me knew that wasn’t a possibility. So, I started with the most chemical-filled products.
Using the Think Dirty App, I found which products in my home were the worst offenders. Laundry detergents and products often rate bad! For example, Shout stain remover rates at an 8! (Ten being the worst for toxins.) Natural stain removal it is!
Bottle by bottle, I switched over my products to natural options. I love using DIY recipes because:
- It’s usually quite a bit cheaper
- I can buy my ingredients from trusted sources
- The ingredients can be mixed and matched to make multiple recipes
- I can customize it to make it fit my needs
- And honestly, the ease of use makes them a clear winner!
If you’re overwhelmed by cleaning up your household products, use this FREE 5 Days to DIY Natural Living Challenge. It gives you practical, easy to complete baby steps toward a cleaner home!
HOMEMADE CLOTHES STAIN REMOVERS
You only need three simple ingredients to make a homemade laundry stain remover.
- Baking Soda. Baking soda can be found cheap at any grocery store. Or you can buy it in bulk on Amazon. Baking soda helps with odors and works as an abrasive for stubborn stains.
- Dish Soap. I like this one. Use the Think Dirty App to see how your soap ranks. Most soaps with a strong scent will rank poorly. You want to aim for a 3 or better! (Tip: Dawn dish soap is NOT your best option!) The dish soap helps to release grease and oil from your clothes.
- Hydrogen Peroxide. This ingredient can also be found cheap at a grocery store or Walmart. This is what I buy from Amazon. Hydrogen peroxide helps remove the colors from the stains in fabrics.
TO MAKE STAIN REMOVER FOR CLOTHES
Step 1: Measure all ingredients into a small jar and stir gently to combine well.
Your mixture should be thick, which is why I recommend a glass jar and not a spray bottle. If you prefer a smaller container, one with a flip-top and a spout would be best!
Step 2: Store in a dark container or place. Peroxide can lose its effectiveness when stored in the light. Using a dark container or storing it in a dark cabinet will prevent the peroxide from going bad.
HOW TO USE HOMEMADE STAIN REMOVER
- Apply a small amount of stain remover directly to the stain.
- Rub gently with your finger, a piece of fabric, a scrubbing brush, or an old toothbrush.
- Allow the stain remover to sit for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour. Wash normally, no need to rinse first.
TIPS FOR USING DIY STAIN REMOVER
- Do not shake the stain remover. Some readers have experienced “explosions” when shaking this stain remover. This has not happened to me, but I assume it is because of hydrogen peroxide bubbling up. I suggest stirring and swirling gently to mix.
- Alternatively, don’t pre-mix the stain remover. One reader suggests putting the baking soda on the stain directly and then adding the soap/peroxide mixture on top. Let it foam, then rub it with a toothbrush.
- Use caution on dark colored garments. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are natural whitening agents. If you’re using dark clothing, you might want to test a small area first.
- Double the DIY stain remover recipe if you do a lot of laundry. This recipe is easy to double up if you get a lot of stains. I have a neighbor with five boys and I’m SURE they need a double batch!
- Use white vinegar on armpit stains. The build up from your deodorant can easily make a shirt look stained. Cleaning stains using white vinegar will help loosen up the build-up and freshen your underarms. (Or you can switch to a natural deodorant like this one OR detox your armpits to avoid the need for deodorant!)
- Use with chlorine bleach alternative. If you have some extra stubborn stains, try using this recipe and also wash with a Homemade Bleach Alternative.
HOMEMADE STAIN REMOVER FAQS
What is the best stain remover for clothes?
This homemade stain remover formula for clothes works really well on a variety of stains – coffee, blood, ketchup, makeup, grass, grease spots, and more!
Can old stains be removed?
Older stains may take multiple applications of stain remover, but they can come out. Treat and wash as listed above, and check to see if the stain came out before drying.
What if I don’t have stain remover on hand?
Use this recipe to quickly make a batch of stain remover! You can also try using just dish soap to cut through greasy spots. More colorful stains will remove better with all 3 ingredients.
Does vinegar remove stains from clothes?
Vinegar helps break down mild discoloration and can help soften clothes by removing detergent residue, but it does not do well at removing greasy stains.
Are You Looking For A Cleaner Laundry Soap?
Making your laundry detergent is a great option for non-toxic laundry. But I get that DIY isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
There are a few brands of laundry detergent out there that have non-toxic ingredients. One that I like is Truly Free. They have a variety of household cleaners, laundry soap, kitchen cleansers, and related products. All are made in America, free from toxins, and sold in reusable packaging!
You can use the coupon code CRUMBS30 to get 30% off anything in their shop. This is a HUGE discount! No subscription is required. Simply order through this link.
MORE HOMEMADE LAUNDRY RECIPES
There are even more ways to save by making your own laundry supplies. Here are a few other DIY laundry supplies you can make, as well as tutorials for great-smelling laundry!
- Homemade Laundry Detergent
- DIY Epsom Salt Laundry Booster
- Indoor Clothesline
- How to Get Smell Out of Towels
- DIY Linen Spray
- Homemade Bleach Alternative
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Sign up for my FREE Fight Inflation Workshop and learn simple strategies to save money, even with rising food costs!Homemade Stain Remover
Remove tough stains with this easy homemade stain remover. Uses just 3 ingredients from your cabinets, costs WAY less than store-bought stain remover, and it works great!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Category: DIY Household
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Instructions
- Mix ingredients in a small glass jar or plastic bottle with a flip top.
- Swirl gently to combine.
Notes
- Do not shake the stain remover. Some readers have experienced “explosions” when shaking this stain remover. This has not happened to me, but I assume it is because of hydrogen peroxide bubbling up. I suggest stirring and swirling gently to mix.
- Alternatively, don’t pre-mix the stain remover. One reader suggests putting the baking soda on the stain directly and then adding the soap/peroxide mixture on top. Let it foam, then rub it with a toothbrush.
- Use caution on dark colored garments. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are natural whitening agents. If you’re using dark clothing, you might want to test a small area first.
- Double the recipe for larger families. This recipe is easy to double up if you get a lot of stains. I have a neighbor with five boys and I’m SURE they need a double batch!
- Use white vinegar on armpit stains. The build up from your deodorant can easily make a shirt look stained. Using white vinegar will help loosen up the build-up and freshen your underarms. (Or you can switch to a natural deodorant like this one OR detox your armpits to avoid the need for deodorant!)
- Use with chlorine bleach alternative. If you have some extra stubborn stains, try using this recipe and also wash with a Homemade Bleach Alternative.
Has anyone tried this on carpet?
Does the peroxide take color out of dark clothes?
It may Jenn.
This is the perfect list for a mum with school kids! My youngest is in primary school and white school shirts and 7 year old boys just somehow don’t mix. He always has a stain of either food/mud/pen/paint on his uniform. I think i’ll print this and put it on the laundry room wall!
Thanks again for your help towards reducing stain issues in my business, but can it remove mucor stain from clothes, can it work 4 both coloured clothes.
Without a dark container, or at least a dark storage space, that peroxide is soon nothing but water. Any light triggers its rapid breakdown. However, since peroxide + vinegar = toxic paracetic acid that’s a nasty form of bleach, it’s a good thing that it doesn’t last. Please revise your recipe into something safer.
My apologies for conflating a reader comment about adding vinegar with your actual recipe. There’s only the light breakdown issue and the random stuff readers might add, such as vinegar, that should be warned against. Thanks, and I am sorry.
I LOVE THIS STAIN REMOVER I have sent it 1/2 dz times at least
many people have asked questions I can answer, most not all intentional
you can leave the product on for multiple days (like in weeks) i have used used it on rayon with no problems, nice surprice
I have no silk presently.
the mixture will not disintegrate overtime, i have only kept it 2 months at a time, also it does not need to be in a dark container.
I am now making a gallon at a time. we have dogs and horses. i hate finding the grease spots showing up out of nowhere. this really does work on old stains, which have been washed and driedi
i am struggling with one thing though. someone had mentioned they used cleaning soda instead of baking soda. i am wondering if the person had problems with it expanding way to much. i had made my gallon, when the remover had settled after the expansion, it was about 30% gone less, of a gallon.
i have, discovered a litre shampoo bottle with a pump is finetastic. i seemed to regularly use way too much at a time. using the flip top on the peroxide was just difficult for me to get some instead of heaps.
TRULY SO HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND THIS ON YOUR WEBSITE ALSO YOUR OTHER SUGGESTIONS ARE GREAT
MY NEXT PROJECT IS LAUNDRY SOAP will update on my progress
powder is very limited availabity, now i do not want to ‘upgrade’ to liquid. for many reasons, the biggest one is sensitive skin. the liquid is not as good of a value, a few months ago i learned liquid has only a shelf life of 1 yr
thanks again Dori
MY NEXT
Yay! I’m so glad this worked for you Jen!
I have used this on the past without baking soda. It worked but i noticed it wore the clothing out…holes in those areas. Have you noticed this?
Hi Courtney! Are you asking if I’ve used this in the past w/o baking soda and noticed THAT version wearing holes? If so, I haven’t. I’ve only used this version w/baking soda. And with this version, I haven’t noticed holes!
Please get an edit button . What spell check does to my posts is sinful.
I made the mixture in a small jar,after I’d treated my shirts and blouses I found one more item.I took Doon the jar and carefully openot the lid because I could do see the mixture’so appearance had changed and assumed mostly it had turned to bubbles. When I opened the lid a plume of gas escaped, nothing too dramatic. But it put the bottle in the shed with the lid back on and now I’m worried that it might explode if I touch it.
Grease stains are the worst for me… I found using some Murphy’s oil and a little scrubbing does wonder
Thanks for this! Was trying to remove some stains on my school blazer and most of the instructions from my local laundry folks recommend a stain remover. Gonna try to save money and make my own stain remover instead.
I can’t believe how miraculous this stain remover is. My husband got chocolate on his new shorts. I pretreated them, washed, and dried them without checking to see if the stain had come out. It hadn’t. I thought they were headed to the garbage until I used this stain remover. There is not a trace of the stain. Thank you so much.
What a great review – thanks for sharing Sandy!
umm…… imma little confused here? I get it, it turns out a thick paste, but a thick paste is not what I want. What I need is a thinner spray that I can leave in the spray bottle and spray wider areas as I see the need, not stand around scrubbing little spots by hand. Has this mixture been tried with clear vinegar or clear water? Any suggestions? Thanks!.
Hi Anne – this recipe is a thick paste, not a thin mixture that can work in a spray bottle. I also don’t think this will work diluted w/vinegar or water as you’re hoping. To be honest, the scrubbing action is what really makes stain removers work, especially the ones w/o harsh chemicals.
All I can say is wow! I had a tough stain on my ABU(Air Force uniform) and I could not get the stain out. I tried a colorox pen and shout. I also used alcohol but nothing could get it out. I just happened to stumble upon this page and thought to myself why not try this and it worked the stain is gone!
Thank you so much!!!!
You’re so welcome Jordan! Glad it worked for you!!
I just made this mixture tonight to remove a mysterious stain on a dress I bought today– 25% off ;). Anyways, since my roommate keeps her baking soda in the fridge, I thought I’d just keep the whole mixture in the fridge. What do y’all think about this? I made it in a mason jar, estimated the proportions per usual, and put in it a fabric beer coozie to keep it extra dark. Will see how this works…
Worth a shot Grace! It won’t hurt it any, although it might be a bit thicker. Let us know how it goes!
Assembled all the ingredients in a spray bottle yesturday…exploded in my laundry room this morning. UUUGGGG!!!
Great advice, thanks
Can’t wait to try this out. My nephew had a jacket that means alot to him come out of the washer stained. ( my husband can’t wash anything, i swear.) He was very upset so i told him if do my best. So wish me luck.
ive just made the spray and its pretty thick and goupy. i highly doubt i will be able to spray it. did i do something wrong?
Hi Emma – yes, this stain remover is thick, which is why I recommend to make it in a glass jar and not a spray bottle. If you prefer a smaller container, one with a flip top and a spout would be best!