How to Remove Stains Naturally

We are an active family, and if it’s not one stain, it’s another, so it makes sense that I would want to find out how to remove stains naturally. Getting stains removed from clothes is one thing, but it can be even harder to remove stains from your carpet.

Though I do consider stains much better than giant rips in cloth, they are still something that must be dealt with. I just bought a cute purple shirt, cooked supper, and there you go! Oil spots all over the front. Whatever I was cooking must have been really popping!

Basically, with spills and stains, if you can get the garment off and into the sink with some soap and water quickly, most everything comes out. It’s when you wait or put it through the washer and drier that you usually have a problem. Here are some options for:

Oil, Blood, Coffee or Tea, Ink, and Grass

WARNING: It is your responsibility to test all methods on non-visible areas. Some fabric color can be damaged by rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide (which act as a bleach). Also, do not mix vinegar with hydrogen peroxide or combine with any bleach. Deadly gases can be produced. I will not be held responsible for any misuse or damage to property or personage (Yes, it’s just stain remover, but these days ya gotta say all that).

How to Remove Stains Naturally

How To Remove Oil

Step 1 – First Resort

1. Rinse clothing immediately in warm to hot water.
2. Using a homemade or other natural soap, work soap into stain (Dish soap works good too).
3. Rinse and check.
4. If stain persists, apply soap and let it soak in warm water for 30 minutes.
5. Rinse and check again.

Step 2 -Baking Soda/Paper and Iron

My husband came home with hydraulic fluid on his shirt. I started with the iron on paper/cardboard method like you would with wax on carpet. It definitely picked up some of the oil (see picture). I could still see oil on the shirt, but it was definitely less.

Then I tried the cornstarch method. This worked a little, but was hard to tell since it was covered in cornstarch.

I then hand washed it in soap, then threw it in the wash as usual. It did not come out. Crazy kind of oil! I then tried this with my new purple shirt mentioned above. It worked great. So I’m guessing the type of oil really matters.

**Follow Up: my husband’s work washed it, used crazy harsh chemicals that aren’t even meant for clothing and still couldn’t get it out, so I feel pretty good with my progress.

As you can see with the shirt below, the stain completely disappeared.

The cornstarch method:

1. Rub cornstarch, baking soda, or arrowroot powder into the stain.
2. Turn fabric face down on ironing board.
3. Iron. The stain should come out! Yea!

How to Remove Blood

Step 1 – First Resort

1. Rinse clothing immediately in warm soapy water. People say that heat sets protein stains like blood, but I tell you what. Cold water does nothing. As soon as I switch to warm it starts to come out…..?? Go figure….
2. Using a homemade or other natural soap, work soap into stain (Dish soap works good too).
3. Rinse and check.

Step 2 – Vinegar Method

After rinsing, let sit in cool water with vinegar for 1-8 hours. This works on a new stain, but I have not had success on something that has already been through the wash and drier.

Step 3 – Stubborn Stain

1. If stain persists, sprinkle with baking soda and rub gently.
2. If stain is on light clothing, add hydrogen peroxide (do not mix with vinegar from previous method) to baking soda and let bubble. Test on non-visible area first as hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can lighten clothing!
3. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
4. Rinse and check.

Another Option – Salt Method

1. Rinse stain in water and scrub cloth gently together using hands.
2. Add 1 cup salt per half gallon of warm water. Mix until dissolved.
3. Add stained clothing and let soak for 30 minutes.
4. Check, scrub cloth together gently if necessary.

How to Remove Coffee or Tea

Step 1: Baking Soda

1. Put some baking soda on the spot and scrub gently.
2. Rinse clothing immediately in warm water.
3. Using a homemade or other natural soap, work soap into stain (Dish soap works good too).
4. Rinse and check.

Option 2: Baking Soda and Salt

Use the above method, only add salt as well for extra abrasiveness and absorbency.

Option 3: Vinegar

Let soak overnight in vinegar and water mixture (again, works well on fresh stain, not one that is set). Remember to use fresh vinegar as it does break down over time and become less effective.

How to Remove Ink

Option 1: Rubbing Alcohol

Alcohol makes ink run. I’ve made tie dye shirts this way. It can be diluted enough to “run” the spot out. Be careful, test this in a non-visible area first because alcohol can bleach cloth.

• Blot carefully with paper towel or rag to remove excess ink.
• Place some rubbing alcohol on a cloth and blot stain. Let sit for 1 hour.
• You can also pour rubbing alcohol on the stain and soak it (what I like to do – it works).
• Rinse.

Option 2: Milk

Some people swear this works wonders.

• Carefully blot off any excess
• Soak spot in milk for 1 hour.
• Sprinkle with baking soda and brush in.
• Wash as usual, but check before putting in the drier. Try a different method if this didn’t work, but don’t put in the drier or it will set the stain.

Option 3: Toothpaste

Not tried this, but hey, you never know.

• Place a blob of normal toothpaste (not colorful or speckled toothpaste) on spot.
• Let sit for 15 minutes.
• Rinse with cool water.

How to Remove Grass

Option 1: Vinegar

Soak stained cloth in a vinegar and water mixture overnight.

Option 2: Rubbing Alcohol for Whites

This should only be used on whites, since the alcohol can bleach the cloth. Carefully pour a little rubbing alcohol on the area and blot with a rag.

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