Homemade Stain Remover for Carpet and Laundry

I’m excited to show you how to make a fabulous, if not magical, DIY  stain remover. This stain remover recipe is so easy and cheap to make. And wow, does it perform!

Unlike some other homemade laundry stain and detergent products you’ll find here at Everyday Cheapskate, this one is also a homemade stain remover for carpets. Ah-ha! That got your attention!

Just let me be clear at the get-go that while this stain remover works super well on fabric, upholstery, and carpet in the house and car, it must be rinsed well or laundered once that stain disappears. Got it? OK, let’s get right to it.

Homemade Stain Remover

You will need:

✅ fresh hydrogen peroxide

✅ Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid

✅ spray bottle, any size

✅ funnel (optional)

 

Instructions:

Into a spray bottle using a funnel if desired, pour one part Blue Dawn and two parts fresh hydrogen peroxide, i.e., 1 cup Blue Dawn and 2 cups hydrogen peroxide. OR 2 tablespoons Blue Dawn and 4 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide. The ratio is important: twice as much hydrogen peroxide as Blue Dawn.

This means you can use any size bottle to make up any amount of laundry stain remover you need or want.

• MORE: How to Completely Neutralize and Eliminate Pet Odors

To use:

1. Shake bottle to mix. Apply to stain.
2. Wait a few minutes. Don’t be surprised when that stain disappears all by itself! Or if not, rub the stain with a clean sponge, brush, or clean white cloth (you don’t want to transfer color from a cleaning cloth to the stained item.)
3. Launder the item as usual. If treating carpet, upholstery, use this stain remover sparingly, then 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 removed entirely.

 

 

Truly amazing

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

• MORE: 20 Amazing Ways Hydrogen Peroxide Can Make Your Life Easier

FAQs

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. And 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 in the presence of light—both sunlight and household light. It loses its effectiveness. If you use an old bottle of hydrogen peroxide that you’ve had sitting on the shelf for years, you might as well just use water. It’s worn out, lost its spunk. Keeping your bottle of homemade stain remover in an amber bottle will help to protect it from light. Putting the bottle 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 6 months.

Updated and Republished 11-2-22

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