Removing stubborn stains from clothing and fabrics can be a frustrating task. Many commercial stain removers contain harsh chemicals and emit strong fumes. For an eco-friendly solution, try these 7 natural laundry stain removers.
Baking Soda
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a mild alkali that can help lift stains from fabric. It works by helping to break down stubborn dirt and oils. Baking soda is also a deodorizer, so it will leave clothes fresh.
To use it, make a paste with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub the paste onto the stained area and let sit for several minutes before washing as usual. For extra cleaning power, let the garment soak in a baking soda solution before throwing in the wash.
Baking soda is safe for most colorfast fabrics. It works well on stains like coffee, wine, dirt, grease, and perspiration. As a bonus, it is inexpensive and readily available in any grocery store.
Lemon Juice
The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent and stain remover. The high acidity helps dissolve and break down many types of stains.
7 Natural Laundry Stain Removers
Squirt fresh lemon juice directly onto stained areas before washing. Or soak the fabric in a diluted lemon juice solution for 30 minutes or more. This technique works on annoying stains like rust, perspiration, and mildew. Lemon juice can also help brighten dingy whites.
Be aware that using lemon juice repeatedly over time may fade or damage delicate fabrics. Spot test first in an inconspicuous area.
White Vinegar
Like lemon juice, white vinegar is highly acidic. It works to break down stubborn substances through a process called acid hydrolysis. Vinegar also acts as a deodorizer to leave clothes fresh.
For light stains, dab undiluted white vinegar directly onto the spot and rinse. For tougher stains, soak the fabric in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for 30 minutes before washing.
7 Natural Laundry Stain Removers
Vinegar works well on coffee, wine, fruit, grass, and mustard stains. It also helps eliminate odors from clothes. Use it sparingly on delicate fabrics, as the acidity can weaken fibers over time.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an effective yet gentle bleaching agent. It naturally oxidizes stains by releasing oxygen molecules. This action helps lift discoloration without the use of chlorine bleach.
Make a solution by mixing 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water. Pre-treat stained areas by spraying on the solution, rubbing it in, and letting it sit for up to an hour before washing as usual.
Hydrogen peroxide works well on those hard-to-remove pit stains and can also brighten dingy white clothes. Avoid using it at full-strength on silk or wool, as it may damage the fibers.
Borax
Borax is a natural mineral salt that works as a laundry booster and stain remover. It helps lift dirt by softening the water and binding to minerals like calcium and magnesium. Borax also acts as a bleaching agent to whiten fabrics.
To use it, add 1⁄2 cup Borax to each load along with your regular laundry detergent. Or make a concentrated pre-soak solution with 1⁄2 cup Borax dissolved in a quart of warm water. Soak heavily stained clothes before washing.
Borax works on all kinds of stains and also helps remove odors. It’s safe for most washable fabrics, but avoid using it on silk, wool, or delicate fabrics with dyes.
Club Soda
The carbonation and mild acidity in club soda make it an effective stain remover for fresh stains. The bubbles help lift the stain from the fabric. Club soda is gentler on fabric fibers than using bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
Pour club soda directly onto stains like wine, coffee, juice, and grease immediately after they occur. Blot with a clean cloth or sponge and wash as soon as possible. The sooner you treat the stain, the better chance you have of removing it completely.
Dish Soap
For oily stains like lipstick, mascara, motor oil, and cooking grease, try using some dish soap as a pre-treatment. The surfactants in dish soap help cut through oil and grease stains that regular laundry detergents may leave behind.
Squirt a small amount of dish soap directly onto the stain and let sit for a few minutes. Then rinse thoroughly before washing. The dish soap will help release the oil from the fabric so it can wash clean.
Be sparing with dish soap, as overuse can leave behind a soapy residue. Test in an inconspicuous area first.
When to Use These Natural Stain Removers
Knowing which remover to use on which type of stain can help boost your success. Here is a quick guide:
- Baking soda – grease, oil, dirt, coffee, wine, perspiration marks
- Lemon juice – rust, mildew, perspiration, dingy whites
- White vinegar – wine, coffee, fruit, grass, mustard, sweat
- Hydrogen peroxide – pit stains, dingy whites, tomato sauce
- Borax – dirt, grease, food, blood, urine, body oils, perspiration
- Club soda – fresh stains from wine, coffee, juice, grease
- Dish soap – lipstick, mascara, cooking oil, greasy motor oil
Tips for Using Natural Laundry Stain Removers
To get the best results from these natural cleaning solutions, follow these helpful tips:
Check Fabric Care Instructions
Always read fabric care labels and test products in an inconspicuous area first. Natural stain removers are gentle, but certain fabrics like silk, wool, and some dyes are still sensitive.
Apply Heat
Heat helps activate stain-fighting ingredients. Try washing with hot water or drying on a high heat setting. Just check that the fabric can withstand the heat first.
Increase Soaking Time
For stubborn stains, increase soaking time up to several hours or overnight if possible. This gives the remedies more time to break down stubborn stains.
Use a Bristle Brush
Gently brushing the stain with a soft bristle brush helps lift staining particles from the fibers. Do this before washing the garment.
Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse very well after using any pre-treatment to remove all traces. Vinegar and lemon juice, in particular, can leave residues if not rinsed properly.
7 Natural Laundry Stain Removers
Follow up with Laundry Detergent
For best results, always launder pre-treated items using a regular laundry detergent after stain removal. Detergent helps remove any remaining residues.
Treat Stains Immediately
It’s always best to treat stains as soon as possible while still fresh. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove it.
Repeat if Needed
For stubborn, set-in stains, repeat the stain removal process 2-3 times if needed until the stain has lifted. Persistence usually pays off!
Benefits of Using Natural Laundry Stain Removers
Switching to natural stain fighting ingredients offers these advantages:
Non-Toxic
Natural cleaners like baking soda, vinegar, and borax are non-toxic, so they are safer to use around kids and pets. No harmful fumes or safety equipment needed!
Cost-Effective
Most of these cleaner are very affordable to purchase compared to commercial brands. Baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice are a few cents per use.
Better for Sensitive Skin
The natural solutions contain no dyes, perfumes, or harsh chemicals that may irritate sensitive skin like chlorine bleach does.
Eco-Friendly
Natural ingredients are biodegradable andplanet-friendly. No worrying about pollution or contaminated waterways.
Effective Cleaning
Though they are natural, these solutions are still highly effective at tackling all kinds of tough stains despite their gentle formula.
Non-Damaging
Natural cleaners help protect fabric fibers from damage caused by repeated bleach or peroxide use.
Pleasant Scent
Vinegar and lemon juice help freshen clothes without leaving a strong chemical smell like some commercial brands.
FAQs About Natural Laundry Stain Removers
Still have questions about how to use these natural stain fighting ingredients? Here are some frequently asked questions:
What is the best natural stain remover for blood stains?
Hydrogen peroxide or an enzyme presoak work best to help break down the blood proteins.
What natural ingredient removes sweat and deodorant stains best?
White vinegar or lemon juice help cut through the oils and acids in sweat stains.
What household ingredient helps whiten yellowed whites?
Hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, or borax can help brighten dingy whites.
Does baking soda remove grease and oil from clothes?
Yes, baking soda’s absorbent properties lift greasy stains well. Let it soak in for maximum cleaning power.
How can you remove a tough red wine stain?
Soak in club soda immediately, then treat with white vinegar or baking soda paste before washing.
What natural stain remover is also a fabric softener?
Adding 1⁄2 cup of baking soda to your laundry will remove stains and soften fabric.
Will lemon juice or vinegar harm clothes over time?
Possibility – use them occasionally versus every load. Test first on inconspicuous areas of delicate fabrics.
Conclusion
Next time you face a stained garment, skip the harsh chemicals and try one of these effective, eco-friendly solutions. Whether the stain is grease, blood, sweat, or wine, items like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, borax, and lemon have you covered.
A small amount of elbow grease and soaking time helps activate these natural ingredients to lift even set-in stains. With some persistence, you can eliminate stains without toxins using items from your pantry.
Give natural stain removal a try – our planet and your clothes will thank you!