Introduction
As a homeowner, I’m always looking for ways to keep my home clean and beautiful. However, life happens and stains on clothes, carpets, and furniture are inevitable. While there are countless stain removal products on the market, many contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to my family’s health and the environment. I want to keep my home spotless using safe, non-toxic methods whenever possible.
In this article, I’ll discuss some of the most common stains I encounter at home and the best natural, eco-friendly stain removal techniques and products to get them out. My goal is to provide actionable advice to help you safely and sustainably remove stains while avoiding toxins. Let’s get started!
Common Stains and Natural Removal Methods
Below I cover some of the most problematic stains I regularly deal with and how to tackle them without harmful chemicals:
Grease and Oil Stains
Grease and oil stains are some of the trickiest to remove. My go-to method is baking soda. I make a paste with baking soda and water and gently rub it into the stain. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that helps lift grease without the use of harsh solvents. I let it sit for a few hours when possible before laundering as usual.
For stains on carpets and upholstery, I use a vacuum brush attachment to remove as much excess grease as possible. Then I lightly sprinkle baking soda over the stain and let sit overnight before vacuuming up. This absorbs any remaining oil and deodorizes.
Red Wine Stains
Spilled red wine is a common offender on table linens and carpets. My natural stain-fighting secret is white wine! I immediately pour white wine over the stain to dilute the red wine’s pigment. Then I apply a mixture of dish soap and cold water and gently blot it up. The wine dilutes and lifts the red wine, while the soap helps break down the stain.
For old or set-in stains, I make a paste of baking soda and cold water and gently rub it into the fabric. The baking soda will help draw out the stain over several hours.
Ink Stains
As a writer, I end up with ink stains on clothing and furniture all too often. For fresh stains, milk does the trick. I soak the stain in milk for several minutes, then rinse with cold water. The proteins in milk bind with the ink and lift it out of the fabric.
For dried ink stains, I reach for my bottle of lemon juice. I saturate the stain with lemon juice and let it sit for 1-2 hours. The natural acidity in lemon juice breaks down the ink. If any faint staining remains, I rub it with baking soda paste and rinse. The lemon juice and baking soda combination removes even the most stubborn ink stains without bleach.
Coffee and Tea Stains
Coffee and tea can permanently stain cups, mugs, tablecloths and more if left untreated. To remove, I make a solution of dish soap, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. I use a soft brush or sponge to gently rub this mixture into the stain. Baking soda lifts the stain while the peroxide breaks it down at a chemical level to remove the stubborn coffee and tea discoloration.
For stains on cups and mugs, I fill them with the solution and let them soak for an hour or more before scrubbing and rinsing clean. The longer it sits, the better it works on tough stains.
Sweat and Deodorant Stains
Sweat and deodorant residue can stain light colored shirts yellowish or white. I’ve found that a soak in aspirin water does wonders. I dissolve 5-6 uncoated aspirin tablets in a few cups of warm water. Then I soak the stained garment for 1-2 hours. The acetylsalicylic acid in the aspirin removes the staining compounds from the fabric fibers.
DIY Natural Stain Removers
In additional to pantry staple stain solutions, I make my own natural cleaners that are effective on multiple stains:
All-Purpose Stain Remover Spray:
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon dish soap
- 10-15 drops essential oils like lemon or lavender for scent (optional)
Mix ingredients together in a spray bottle. Shake before each use. Lightly spray stained area, let sit 5 minutes, then blot with clean cloth. The soap and baking soda lift stains while the water dilutes. Safe for most surfaces.
Oxygen Boost Stain Remover:
- 1⁄4 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon liquid dish detergent
Combine ingredients and use a clean toothbrush to scrub mixture into stain. Let sit 5 minutes before rinsing. The oxygen in the peroxide bubbles away stubborn stains.
Enzyme Stain Stick:
- 1 tablespoon grated Fels Naptha soap
- 1 tablespoon washing soda
- 1 teaspoon enzymatic cleaner like Biokleen Bac-Out
- 2 tablespoons warm water
Mix ingredients into a paste and apply directly on stain. Let sit 30 minutes before washing. The enzymes break down stain compounds while the soap and washing soda lift it away.
Stain Removal Tips
Here are some of my tried-and-true tips for safe, effective stain fighting:
- Act quickly! Fresh stains are much easier to remove. Don’t let stains set.
- Blot wet stains with a clean cloth. Don’t rub, which can spread the stain and damage fibers.
- Pretreat stained areas before washing. Use a stain stick or spray and let sit.
- Wash in cool or cold water, which sets stains less than hot water.
- Air dry stained items in sunlight. The UV rays in sunlight help break down discoloration.
- Repeat treatments on stubborn stains. It may take multiple applications over time.
- Test treatments first on inconspicuous areas to check for colorfastness and damage.
Conclusion
Removing stains doesn’t need to involve dousing them in harsh chemicals or bleaches. With some simple, natural ingredients from my pantry, I can get even the toughest stains out of clothes, carpets, upholstery and more. I hope these sustainable stain fighting tips help you keep your home spotless in an earth-friendly way. Always properly test natural cleaners in hidden areas first, and tackle stains as quickly as possible for best results. What are your best natural stain removal secrets? I’d love to hear tips from other green cleaners like myself. Happy cleaning!
