As a self-proclaimed “green mom,” I never imagined that a homemade stain remover could transform our lives until the Season of White Baseball Pants. But let me tell you, our natural stain-busting solution has eliminated stains I used to think were impossible to remove.
At first, I was going to be the mom who didn’t care if the pants weren’t perfectly clean. After all, they’re just going to get dirty again, probably before they even step onto the field. I would sit at the games and listen to other moms talk about their stain-removing arsenal – soap, bleach, Shout, Dawn dish soap, and the like. But I didn’t own any of those products among my nontoxic cleaning supplies, especially not bleach, for many reasons.
So, I would soak the pants for a few hours, wash them with my regular eco-friendly detergent, and hang them to dry. They didn’t look great, but they weren’t that bad either. As the season went on, the stains from grass, dirt, and black bean burrito dinners after the games were more than even I could take. I knew I wasn’t going to go the harsh chemical stain removal route, but most of the natural stain remover options I’d tried had failed to even fade the grass stains.
The Pressure Washer Revelation
I looked online again and read about a mom who took her daughter’s softball pants to the car wash after every game. Aha! We have a pressure washer, I recalled. This could be a chemical-free stain-removing option.
My husband and I lined up the baseball pants on the driveway to see if the power sprayer could make a dent in four weeks of stains. Well, it did! Other than some wear and tear on the knees, the pants looked brand new. I texted the neighbors, “Stop scrubbing and come outside!” Then, we all stood around in astonished praise, making statements you only hear on an infomercial.
For the rest of the summer, you’d often find a gathering around our driveway, chatting over the hum of the pressure washer as we took turns tackling a line of pants. To ease my green guilt, I decided this stain-removing tactic was better than five moms on our street using toxic chemicals, soaking, scrubbing, and adding extra cycles to their washers. But even I realized that all that water wasn’t sustainable. And neither was the likelihood of me dragging out the pressure cleaner, hooking up the hose, and standing outside on many a cold March day, getting wet from the overspray.
The Natural Stain Remover Solution
We moved one spring, and most of our belongings went to storage for a few months. The boys started baseball, and we had no access to the pressure washer. So, after much experimenting, I landed on this natural stain removal recipe. It was a combination of a few hacks I found online and in a DIY cleaning book. I added an extra ingredient since I’ve recently had luck with lemon essential oil on grout stains.
Here’s a look at my most recent before and after photos using this DIY natural stain remover:
These were taken at different times of day if you notice a change in the lighting on both the pants and the washing machine. I probably could have scrubbed the grass stains a little more, but nearly all of the field dirt came out. Around the seams can be a tricky spot, as you can see from the hem.
Note: Test a small area before applying to the entire garment, upholstery, etc. I spray this mixture of Castile soap, stain remover, and water on, let it sit for about a minute, then gently rub the fabric together. The dirt stains disappeared almost immediately. The grass stains took maybe 5 minutes of soaking and gently scrubbing the fabric against itself. Then, I wash with a gentle natural laundry soap – right now, I’m obsessed with Zum’s Indigo Wild aromatherapy laundry soap – and hang to dry. I don’t usually put baseball pants in the dryer, just in case I’ve missed a stain, because the dryer heat tends to set them forever.
If you try this DIY or your own version, be sure to comment on how it works for you. And here’s an update for those who just aren’t into DIY: Molly’s Suds now has a stain-removing spray that passes the white baseball pants test. I used it along with a scrubbing brush and let it sit on grass stains from the previous season, and it took them out almost completely. That’s pretty impressive for old stains that had been through the dryer.
Tackling Other Tough Stains Naturally
Of course, there are other stains that can happen with life. Here are some additional ways to treat stubborn stains naturally:
Chocolate Stains: Allow the chocolate to harden, and scrape off as much as possible with a butter knife. It can help to put the garment in the fridge to allow the chocolate to harden. An enzyme pre-treatment is best for chocolate, but if you don’t have one handy, use hot water. Run hot water through the back side of the fabric – it may take a few minutes to melt the remaining chocolate and force it out the way it came in. When you’ve gotten out as much as possible, saturate the area with dish detergent and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Then, gently rub the fabric to work the stain out. Rinse the fabric. If the stain is mostly out, then launder in hot water and check the stain before the dryer – you may have to allow the garment to air dry to make sure it is gone. If the stain still remains before the dryer, you can try applying heavy cream (that’s right, directly to the stain). Blot it on with a sponge and keep blotting on more if necessary until the stain disappears.
Grease Stains: The best way to remove a grease stain is by using a dish soap. Rub it in gently and let sit at least 10 minutes before washing. Check the stain after you wash before putting it in the dryer, and if necessary, retreat with dish soap again. You may have to hang dry the garment to make absolutely sure the stain is out – the dryer can set grease stains. Another method for mild grease stains is to rub chalk on the stain or sprinkle with corn starch and let sit. Chalk and/or corn starch will absorb the grease out of the fabric and then will wash off.
Blood Stains: Blood stains can be tricky. You want to remove them while they’re still fresh. There are a few different methods to remove blood stains naturally. Hydrogen peroxide is outstanding at getting blood stains out. It actually bubbles just like it does on a wound. Try a colorfastness test first with hydrogen peroxide in an inconspicuous area before applying to the stain, as hydrogen peroxide can damage some fabrics. Let the peroxide sit for 10-15 minutes or until the stain stops bubbling, and rinse again in cold water. If it’s a larger stain, the first step is to generously rinse the fabric in cold water. After rinsing thoroughly, apply a paste of salt and cold water and rub it into the stain, rinse and repeat until it’s gone. Another option is saliva – if it’s a small stain, try spitting on it and letting it sit. The digestive enzymes in saliva will help break down the proteins in the blood. Let sit for 10-20 minutes, then soak the fabric in cold water. Do not use this method on silk, linen, or wool, as the protein-eating digestive enzymes may eat the fabric as well.
If you have any other natural stain removal tips, I’d love to hear them! This article was originally published in 2014 and updated in 2024.
The Natural Stain Remover Recipe
Here’s the recipe for the DIY natural stain remover that has been a game-changer for us:
- 16 oz spray bottle
- 1 tsp clear, natural liquid dish soap (without added coloring)
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
Instructions:
1. Fill the 16 oz bottle with water and add 1 tsp of dish soap. Mix well and spray the entire surface of the garment or fabric.
2. Fill the same bottle with half cold water and half 3% hydrogen peroxide. Mix well and spray the entire surface, focusing a bit more on the stained areas.
3. Evenly sprinkle 2-3 cups of baking soda over the damp fabric. Use a clean cloth or rag to spread the baking soda into a thin paste-like layer.
4. Let the baking soda dry overnight, then sweep or vacuum off the excess.
This simple, eco-friendly solution has saved countless pairs of baseball pants (and other fabrics) in our household. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!
Exploring New Frontiers in Stain Removal
As I’ve shared this natural stain-busting recipe with friends and neighbors, I’ve been amazed by the feedback. Many have told me it works wonders on blood stains, urine stains, sweat stains, and other stubborn spills. Some of the tougher stains may need to be treated 2-3 times, but they’ve seen significant improvements each time.
I’m constantly on the lookout for new eco-friendly cleaning solutions that can tackle life’s messes without harsh chemicals. Recently, I discovered that this same method is incredibly effective on outdoor cushions and upholstery as well. One of my neighbors even said it worked miracles on an old, set-in stain on her white sofa.
Of course, for those who prefer a professional touch, Adam Cleaning Services offers comprehensive stain removal and mattress cleaning for homes and businesses in the UK. But for the DIY-ers out there, I hope this natural stain remover becomes your new go-to secret weapon.
As we continue to explore the frontiers of sustainable cleaning, I’m excited to see what other plant-based, chemical-free solutions emerge. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll discover a stain remover that can lift even the toughest mystery stains with the power of lemon, baking soda, and a little elbow grease. The journey continues, and I can’t wait to share more green cleaning breakthroughs with you along the way.
