Absolutely the Best Homemade Laundry Stain Remover

Absolutely the Best Homemade Laundry Stain Remover!

/Updated /24 Comments/in , /by Mary Hunt

I’m excited to tell you how to make a fabulous, if not magical, do-it-yourself homemade laundry stain remover. Compare this to SHOUT or any other pricey commercial product. This stain remover recipe is so easy and cheap to make. And wow, does it perform! Just let me be clear at the get-go: While this stain remover works super well on fabric, upholstery, even carpet in the house and car, that item must be laundred OR rinsed well once that stain disappears. Got it? OK, let’s get to it.

Absolutely the Best Homemade Laundry Stain Remover

Homemade Laundry Stain Remover

Ingredients to make a homemade laundry stain remover

You will need:

  • fresh hydrogen peroxide
  • Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid
  • spray bottle  (any size, preferably amber*)
  • funnel (optional)

Into a small bottle, using a funnel if desired, pour:

  • 1 part Blue Dawn
  • 2 parts fresh hydrogen peroxide

Example: 1 cup Blue Dawn and 2 cups hydrogen peroxide OR 1/4 cup Blue Dawn and 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide. You can use any size bottle to make up any amount of laundry stain remover you need or want

How to Use Homemade Stain Remover

1. Shake the bottle to mix. Apply to stain.

2. Wait a few minutes. Don’t be surprised when that stain disappears all by itself! If it doesn’t, rub the stain with a brush or clean white cloth (you don’t want to transfer color from a cleaning cloth to the stained item). You want to see visual evidence that the stain is moving, lessening, or in some way reacting.

3. Launder the item as usual. If treating carpet or upholstery, rinse and blot with clear water, keeping in mind that you’ve just sprayed full-strength dishwashing detergent on that sofa, chair or carpet. It needs to be completely removed.

More than Just Laundry Stains

This DIY laundry stain remover is a miracle worker all around the house. I use it on kitchen and bath linens, clothes, carpet, rugs, white sofas and dining room chairs. It tackles red wine stains, organic stains such as blood and grass, pet stains and baby stains. You can use this on colored items as well as whites (although test it first in an inconspicuous place).

Amber Spray Bottle, 2-Pack
Amber Spray Bottle, 2-Pack
    $19.98
    Buy on Amazon
    Blue Dawn Ultra
    Blue Dawn Ultra
      Buy on Amazon

      FAQ

      Do I have to use Blue Dawn, or can I substitute something else?

      You can substitute any kind of liquid dishwashing soap, although I wouldn’t unless it’s an emergency. That’s because Blue Dawn contains specific surfactants that are far more effective on grease and oil than any other product in its class.

      What is Blue Dawn Ultra Version?

      There are a few different types of blue Dawn:

      • Dawn Ultra
      • Regular Dawn (non-concentrated)
      • Dawn Platinum

      I prefer blue Dawn Ultra because it’s highly concentrated. The regular Dawn is a non-concentrated version (also called Simply Clean), so more diluted. Platinum Dawn is almost identical to Ultra, but it contains more surfactants.

      If you use Blue Dawn Ultra, your results will be even more spectacular because the Ultra version contains enzymes. That makes it really effective on proteins, which most household stains contain.

      Why do you specify “fresh” hydrogen peroxide?

      Hydrogen peroxide dissipates and loses its effectiveness in the presence of light—both sunlight and household light. If you use an old bottle of hydrogen peroxide in this recipe that you’ve had sitting on the shelf for years, you might as well just use water. It’s worn out and lost its spunk.

      *Storing your homemade stain remover in an amber bottle will help to protect it from light. Keeping it in a dark cupboard will protect it even further. The rule of thumb is this: Once opened, keep hydrogen peroxide tightly sealed in a dark place and use it within six months.

       

       

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      24 replies
      2. Karina says:

        I’m excited to try this stain remover. I’ve been using your laundry detergent for years.

        I mixed up the stain remover and over night it changed colors to Pink?! Is that normal?
        Thanks

        Reply
        • Mary Hunt says:

          I recommend you make small batches and store in an dark glass container like the spray bottle pictured. Why? Hydrogen peroxide dissapates over time. Kept in a dark place, hydrogen will remain potent for up to 6 mos. Most of us would use up 4 to 8 oz. of this reipe during that time.

          Reply
      5. Amelia says:

        I use to work in hotel laundry and believe I’ve attempted to use every stain method known to man. For grease, oil and makeup rub into stain shaving cream, dawn platinum and spray with rubbing alcohol. Continue to repeat until you see stain begin to lighten up. (OxiClean 5 n 1) Is another tool I use for really difficult grease stains. After you begin to see the stain lighten up I then applied my commercial stain remover and let it sit for 24 hrs. (Store your items in an air tight bag or container. You want your stain remover to remain wet and not dry out.) Wash in the hottest temperature your items can handle. Dawn Platinum is an absolute must have. Cheaper brands will not be as effective.
        For blood stains always keep a spray bottle of peroxide around spray soiled bloody area heavily and saturate the entire area. Keep repeating this for about 30 mins. ( Peroxide is breaking down the blood and each spray rinses some of the stain away.) Apply OxiClean 5n1 stain remover generously to the stained area. Wash and laundry at highest temperature setting fabric can handle.

        Reply
          • Christine Gahman says:

            I’ve purchased the glass bottles and mixed stain lifter formula and it works great, however the bottles are not spraying well, and drip all over from the screw on lid and the mixture foams out onto counter. any thoughts as to why this is happening? im ready to put mixture into new spray bottle and see how it does.

          • Mary Hunt says:

            Without seeing this situation, it’s difficult for me to give you a good response. If you have checked to make sure the sprayer top is screwed on tightly, and you still have a problem, be sure to contact the Amazon seller. You may have recceived a defective product.

        • Mary Hunt says:

          Yes, with this caveat. You should always test first in an inconspicuous place like a seam or hem. That’s just a blanket rule of thumb for any treatment or product you have not used before.

          Reply
      9. Cindy K says:

        I mixed some up and couldn’t wait to use it! I’m a huge fan of your Everyday Cheapskate DIY products; I use many of them. So now I am experimenting with this stain remover on my laundry, and I’m amazed with how great it works! It seems to work better than my store-bought brand, and it’s much less expensive; I’m phasing that one out and using this one from now on! Less work (scrubbing stains) and less cost…I’m happy! Thank you for these wonderful hints and DIY recipes!

        Reply

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