Best Homemade Carpet Stain Remover (For Laundry, Too!)
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 carpet. While this stain remover works super well on fabric, upholstery, and carpet in the house and car, it must be rinsed well once that stain disappears, or the item laundered to complete the job. Use sparingly on items that are not easily laundered such as upholstery and carpet. Rinse well!
Servings: 12 ounces
Cost: $1-2
Equipment
- Spray bottle with sprayer top amber glass recommended
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh hydrogen peroxide
- ½ cup Blue Dawn Ultra or any Blue Dawn (See Notes)
Instructions
Prepare Stain Remover:
- Into a small spray bottle (using a funnel if preferred), pour one part Blue Dawn and two parts fresh hydrogen peroxide. Example ratios: 1 cup Blue Dawn + 2 cups hydrogen peroxide; ½ cup Blue Dawn + 1 cup hydrogen peroxide; ¼ cup Blue Dawn + ½ cup hydrogen peroxide.
- Apply sprayer top to the bottle. Shake well to mix.
To Use:
- Shake the bottle and spray directly onto the stain.
- Wait a few minutes—many stains will vanish on their own! If needed, gently rub with a clean sponge, brush, or white cloth (you don’t want to transfer color from the cloth onto the fabric).
- Rinse the area well to remove all soap residue, or launder the item if possible. Remember, full-strength dish soap needs to be fully rinsed out, especially from carpets and upholstery.
Notes
1. The Right Spray Bottles:
I recommend using 4-ounce amber glass spray bottles for this DIY stain remover. They help protect the hydrogen peroxide from light, keeping it potent for longer. You can make a larger batch in a separate container, then fill smaller bottles for easy use. Plus, these little bottles are convenient to keep around the house or in the car for quick stain emergencies. 2. Why Blue Dawn?
You can technically use any dish soap, but here’s why I swear by Blue Dawn: It contains special surfactants that cut through grease and oil better than the rest. If you use Blue Dawn Ultra, the enzymes make it extra powerful on protein-based stains (like food and pet messes). Trust me, you’ll notice the difference! 3. Fresh Hydrogen Peroxide is Key!
Hydrogen peroxide breaks down when exposed to light, so it’s important to use a fresh bottle for maximum effectiveness. Stale peroxide (that’s been sitting on your shelf for a while) might as well be water—it loses its stain-busting power. Use an amber bottle to protect it from light and store it in a dark place. Once opened, it’s best to use it within 6 months to keep it working at full strength.
I recommend using 4-ounce amber glass spray bottles for this DIY stain remover. They help protect the hydrogen peroxide from light, keeping it potent for longer. You can make a larger batch in a separate container, then fill smaller bottles for easy use. Plus, these little bottles are convenient to keep around the house or in the car for quick stain emergencies. 2. Why Blue Dawn?
You can technically use any dish soap, but here’s why I swear by Blue Dawn: It contains special surfactants that cut through grease and oil better than the rest. If you use Blue Dawn Ultra, the enzymes make it extra powerful on protein-based stains (like food and pet messes). Trust me, you’ll notice the difference! 3. Fresh Hydrogen Peroxide is Key!
Hydrogen peroxide breaks down when exposed to light, so it’s important to use a fresh bottle for maximum effectiveness. Stale peroxide (that’s been sitting on your shelf for a while) might as well be water—it loses its stain-busting power. Use an amber bottle to protect it from light and store it in a dark place. Once opened, it’s best to use it within 6 months to keep it working at full strength.
