My Favorite DIY Non-Toxic Stain Remover That Works!
I am one of the messiest people in the world. I can’t even blame my stained clothes on my children. It’s all me! I tried dish soap and stain remover sprays- the works. Dish soap was the best, but not perfect on tough stains. Fortunately, once I found a non-toxic stain remover, I could stop tossing out stained clothing! As a mom of six, stubborn stains are inevitable at this point, and I was so sick of trying to salvage clothing only to toss it out when the stain wouldn’t lift.
I used to keep the stained clothes as the kids’ play clothes and only worry about stains on nicer outfits, but as a large family, replacing clothing when it gets stained gets expensive.
Luckily, with a few natural ingredients, this non-toxic stain remover recipe came together and worked every single time! Blueberry smash? Gone. Hot cocoa dribble, grass stains, ketchup, mud, coffee stains, blood stains? All lifted beautifully, leaving behind freshly cleaned clothes right out of the washing machine. Even the toughest stains came out.
While conventional stain removers work fine, the toxic chemicals they contain are concerning. I am working hard to reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals, so eco-friendly stain removers are the best way to salvage our clothing and keep our exposure to a minimum.
Why I Switched to a Non-Toxic Stain Remover
When I first started switching our home to low-tox, I was shocked at how many everyday products had “fragrance” listed without any breakdown. That includes most name-brand stain sprays.
These often contain things like:
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Optical brighteners
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Harsh surfactants
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Mystery ingredients under the “fragrance” umbrella
Not only are those unnecessary for cleaning, but they can also cause skin irritation, especially for babies and kids with sensitive skin. When you spray a product directly onto clothes, it soaks into the fibers they wear all day.
There are safer store-bought options out there, which I cover in my full guide linked here, but this simple spray has been my go-to for years.
Ingredients you’ll need to make your non-toxic stain remover:
Hydrogen peroxide
Many bleach alternatives use hydrogen peroxide to help remove stains. It’s an excellent stain-lifting option, but we’ll add a few other ingredients to this recipe. It’s unstable when exposed to light, so keep it in a dark-colored bottle.
Natural dish soap
This helps cut grease and lift stains away. Many options have great ratings from EWG, but I like Attitude, Better Life, and Ecos brand soaps.
Baking soda (optional)
If you’re working with an especially difficult stain, after spraying your non-toxic stain remover on your clothing, you can sprinkle baking soda on top to help lift the stain away.
Essential oils (optional)
Best for cutting grease stains! Add 10-20 drops of lemon oil to your mixture and spray on stains.
Dark-colored spray bottle
As I mentioned previously, hydrogen is less stable when exposed to light, so to keep it as strong as possible, it’s best to keep the mixture in a dark-colored bottle to maintain its full strength.
Tips when making non-toxic stain remover
- Make small batches as it’s best used within 3 months.
- Add lemon essential oil if you’re working with a grease stain.
- Let the stain remover sit on the stains for at least 10 minutes before washing. I recommend giving it 2-3 hours for the best results.
How do you make non-toxic stain remover?
This homemade stain remover is super simple. You probably already have everything you need on hand.
Step 1: Mix hydrogen peroxide and dish soap in a bowl. Combine well.
Step 2: Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
Step 3: Add 10-20 drops of lemon essential oil to help cut grease.
Optional step 4: If working with exceptionally stubborn laundry stains, after spraying stains with solution, sprinkle the affected area baking soda on top and let sit.
Note: while non-toxic stain remover is relatively safe, if you’re concerned about delicate fabrics, it’s best to test on an unnoticeable area of the clothing first.
How can I get stains out of clothing without stain remover?
There are many different stain remover recipes out there to try. I like this one the best as we try to reduce our exposure to harsh chemicals as much as possible. If a non-toxic stain remover spray isn’t working, try Oxygen Boost by Branch Basics. I like it but did not find it cost-effective, so I stick with this spray stain remover.
Does vinegar remove stains from clothing?
I have used white vinegar in the past, but it’s not the best for grease stains, which I find on my clothes the most. I like using vinegar instead of fabric softeners. It keeps our sheets soft and brightens our towels without any issues for those in our family with sensitive skin.
What water temperature is best for removing stains?
I have had success with hot water, but we almost always used cold water to prevent any shrinking and save money on our utility bills. Varying temperatures haven’t made a difference in the effectiveness of the stain spray.
Can I use this on white clothes?
Yes, but always test first. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleaching agent, so avoid using it on dark, non-colorfast fabrics.
Looking for More Non-Toxic Swaps?
I’ve created a series of posts of simple, affordable, non-toxic swaps for your entire home! Check out some of my recent posts below!
Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent– I haven’t purchased detergent in almost a year. I am not kidding when I say I love this recipe! It gets our clothes cleaned without any heavy fragrances and is so cheap!
Natural Laundry Stripping– Even the best detergents miss some build-up. For stinky gym clothes, dingy towels, or dirty sheets, laundry stripping is an excellent way to remove stubborn odors, and this process includes completely natural products.
Non-Toxic Floor Cleaners– 3 excellent options for cleaning your floors without any added chemicals.
Cleaning with Baking Soda– baking soda is versatile, budget-friendly, and works wonderfully. Check out this post for ways to use it and save money.
I also have a post publishing soon on creating a non-toxic laundry room from top to bottom, including natural cleaners, so be on the lookout for that!
Non-Toxic Stain Remover Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
½ cup dish soap
1-3 T baking soda (optional)
10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (optional. Best for grease stains)
Directions:
Mix your hydrogen peroxide and dish soap in a bowl. Pour into a dark-colored spray bottle and shake. If adding lemon essential oil, add it now. Store on a high shelf out of the reach of children.
When ready to use, spray the stained area liberally and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes, but longer if possible. Sprinkle with baking soda for extra grease-cutting power.
This spray has been a good option for our family, whatever the type of stain (even tomato sauce and oily stains!). The effective ingredients have saved us so much money on clothing!
Have you tried any non-toxic stain removers that you loved? Did they remove food stains well? In the comments below, let me know your favorite brand or DIY stain remover spray recipe!
Also, check out this before and after of one of my favorite sweatshirts! I wasn’t kidding when I said I’m messy. It’s annoying, but at least I can save my clothes now!
Final Thoughts
This non-toxic stain remover has saved so many of our clothes and my sanity! I love knowing exactly what’s in it, and I never worry about spraying it on baby clothes or cloth napkins.
It’s part of our everyday laundry rhythm now. And once you make a bottle, I think it’ll be part of yours too.
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