The White Shirt Dilemma
I love white shirts. They go with everything. They can be dressed up or down. I have a drawer full of white T-shirts and about 1/5 of the shirts hanging in my closet are white. Here’s the problem. I also love food and red wine, and I’m a bit of a klutz.
I’m usually pretty good at getting to stains right away, and I keep a small bottle of Shout in the laundry, although I try to use it as sparingly as possible. I’ve become a huge believer in the power of the sun to keep my whites white.
But last fall, I didn’t notice that there was a stain on one of my favorite white gauze blouses, and when I pulled it out this spring, there it was — big, yellow, front and center. I don’t know what made the stain. I tried the Shout and hung the shirt in the sun, but it didn’t work. I guess the stain had set for too long.
Lemon Juice to the Rescue
This past weekend, I decided I was going to tackle that stain. This time, I used a natural combination of lemon juice, Kosher salt, and nine hours in the sun. I’m excited to say that my shirt is now wearable again.
The area where the stain was is still slightly off-color, but I really have to look at it to notice it. I can wear the shirt now, and I’m planning on doing the lemon juice treatment again next time the shirt needs to be washed. I’m hopeful that another treatment will take care of it completely.
To get rid of the stain on my blouse, here’s how I used lemon juice, salt, and a day in the sun:
- I squeezed fresh lemon juice directly onto the stain and let it soak in for about 15 minutes.
- I then sprinkled a generous amount of Kosher salt over the stained area and gently rubbed it in with my fingers.
- Finally, I hung the shirt in direct sunlight for about 9 hours, checking on it periodically.
The folks at TreeHugger were right – this natural combination of lemon juice, salt, and sun power was the key to getting that stubborn stain out.
The Versatility of Lemon Juice
It turns out, lemon juice is a real powerhouse when it comes to stain removal. Mulberrys Cleaners in Minneapolis and San Francisco shared some additional tips on using lemon juice to tackle all kinds of stains:
- For juice stains, mix 1/3 cup of lemon juice and 2/3 cup of water, then gently rub the stain.
- To remove rust stains, pour one cup of lemon juice into the washer along with your detergent.
- For white clothing stains, squeeze lemon juice directly onto the stain, sprinkle salt over it, rub gently, and rinse.
- Lemon juice can even be used to clean and shine leather shoes.
The Environmental Working Group also recommends lemon juice as a natural stain remover, noting that it can provide a mild bleaching effect.
DIY Stain Remover
If you’re looking for an easy, homemade stain remover, Instructables has a fantastic two-ingredient recipe:
- Soak the stain in lemon juice for 10-15 minutes.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the stained area and scrub with a sponge.
This simple combination of lemon juice and baking soda can tackle a wide range of stubborn stains, from grease to wine and even blood.
Lemons, Lavender, and Laundry has another DIY stain remover recipe that uses hydrogen peroxide and Dawn dish soap. Just mix the two ingredients in a spray bottle and apply directly to the stain before washing.
Whether you opt for the lemon juice and salt method or the hydrogen peroxide and Dawn solution, these natural stain-fighting alternatives are much gentler on your clothes and the environment than harsh chemical cleaners.
Keeping Your Clothes Looking Their Best
As a proud owner of Adam’s Cleaning Services in Nottingham, UK, I know a thing or two about keeping clothes and fabrics looking their best. While lemon juice and other natural stain removers are incredibly effective, sometimes a professional touch is needed for the toughest of stains.
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get that pesky stain out, don’t hesitate to bring your clothing items to a reputable dry cleaner like us. Our team of experts uses the latest eco-friendly techniques and products to tackle even the most stubborn stains, ensuring your clothes look fresh and clean.
So, the next time life hands you lemons (or red wine, or pasta sauce), don’t despair. Reach for that lemon juice and get to work. With a little elbow grease and the power of nature, you can keep your favorite white shirts and blouses looking their absolute best.
