Stains, particularly the stubborn kind, are capable of ruining even the best of days. Whether you’ve noticed a stain on your favorite fit shortly before going out for the night, you found a stain on your living room furniture right as company is about to come over or you’ve got any variety of stains around the house, we’ve got some natural, DIY stain removal tips to make your life easier.

Clothing

Adding baking soda to the washing machine when washing clothes is one of the simplest ways to get out pesky odors. A half a cup of baking soda, along with your regular detergent, should do the trick. If odors are particularly strong, soak the clothes overnight in a mixture of baking soda and water. Then, wash as usual.

Discoloration

For discoloration on white clothes, try a paste consisting of equal parts water, lemon juice and baking soda. Scrub the paste on the stains and let it sit for about half an hour. Wash the clothes as you normally would to remove the residue.

NOTE: While lemon juice may be fine for white clothes, it is not generally recommend for colors, so do a test on your clothes ahead of time to prevent discoloration. You can also simply use a paste made of baking soda and water on colored fabrics.

Distilled white vinegar is another simple, yet effective, way to remove stains and discoloration. Putting a cup of vinegar in your washing machine as part of the final rinse cycle will help make your clothes smell fresher and feel softer.

Wine or blood

Spilled some wine on your shirt? Did one of the kids scrape their knee and now there are blood stains on their clothes? Got stubborn underarm stains that just won’t come out? Well, hydrogen peroxide may be exactly what you need in these instances. Be sure to test it on colored clothing first, though, in order to prevent discoloration. Otherwise, simply spray it on the stain and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, then wash as normal.

Salt, or saline solution, is another option for stains, like those stemming from spilt wine. Just sprinkle the salt on liberally (before the stain has a chance to set in). Let the salt soak the stain up and then wipe it away. Be sure to get all the salt off before washing, so it doesn’t cause discoloration.

Oil stains

Last, but not least, if you or a loved one finds yourself with an oil stain on your clothing, a little cornstarch can go a long way. You’ll, of course, want to do this while the stain is still fresh. Pour a good amount of cornstarch directly on the stain so there is a thick layer. Let it sit for about half an hour (or more). Once the cornstarch has soaked up the oil, wipe it off the garment. Blot, don’t rub, the area with a mixture of 1 part dish soap and 10 parts water. Wash the clothing item fully, using the hottest setting recommended for the fabric.

upholstered Furniture

As with clothing, stains on cloth or upholstered furniture can be relatively easy to remove, providing you clean the area before the stain has a chance to set in. You will also want to do a test area first, so discoloration does not occur.

Let’s start with food-related stains, like from wine, coffee and juice spills. Berry stains can also benefit from this particular DIY stain removal technique. All you’ll need is a spray bottle filled with 3/4 warm water and 1/4 distilled white vinegar. Mist the fabric where the stain has occurred. You do not need to soak it. Take a microfiber cloth and blot the stain, working from the outer edges inward. Dampen a cloth with warm water and use it to remove the sprayed on solution. Blot the area with a dry cloth to absorb any remaining moisture.

For more stubborn stains, i.e. oil or grease, you’ll want to use a baking soda paste. To make the paste, combine a little baking soda with water. Gently apply the paste to the stain using a damp cloth. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, so the mixture has a chance to absorb the oil or grease, then move it fully and blot with a dry cloth.

Ink stains can often be removed by dabbing a little rubbing alcohol on the stain with a cotton ball or swab. Once the stain has been absorbed, blot the area with a clean cloth.

NOTE: You may have to repeat these stain removal treatments more than once, depending on the stain.

If you have a stain that has had time to set in, try using a paste of baking soda and distilled white vinegar. Apply the paste and let it sit overnight. Rinse it off thoroughly and dab it with a clean, dry cloth. Repeat as needed.

Countertops

When it comes to countertops, a baking soda paste can be used on most laminate surfaces. Simply apply the paste, let it sit for 5-10 minutes or more, then wipe it off with a damp microfiber cloth. Scrubbing these types of surfaces is not recommended, as it can cause damage.

For natural stone surfaces, it’s best to apply a mixture/paste of one part baking soda to two parts water. So, if you have a small stain, 1 tbsp of baking soda and 2 tbsp of water should make a decent paste. Apply it to the stain and leave it for about 24-48 hours. Wipe it away with a clean, damp microfiber cloth and rinse the surface fully.

If you end up with grease, oil or salad dressing spills on your counter, blot the spill up first. Then apply either baking soda or cornstarch directly to the stain to soak up the liquid. Once the stain has been soaked up, wipe off the area and clean fully with a solution of dish soap and warm water. Should a tougher stain remover be required, you can use the aforementioned paste of baking soda and water, or baking soda and a small amount of rubbing alcohol, applied to the surface. Let it dry fully. This could take upwards of 24 hours. Once it’s fully dry, remove the paste and rinse/clean the countertop thoroughly.

NOTE: Specific types of countertops will require other cleaning solutions. For example, it is not recommended to use baking soda on a nonporous quartz countertop as it can scratch the surface and potentially damage the resin. We recommend checking your manufacturer’s instructions beforehand.

Wood

As long as your wood furniture has been well-sealed, it shouldn’t be too susceptible to stains. If you do have a spill on your wood table, desk or chairs, a baking soda paste is always a viable solution. Apply the paste, let it sit for a few hours, then wipe it up.

You can also use a distilled white vinegar and water solution for general cleaning or mild stains, like water rings. Add equal parts water and vinegar to a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the wood surface, then wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth.

Stubborn water rings can usually be resolved by blotting the area with a paper towel or clean cloth, wiping down the surface with a damp cloth and then drying it off with a soft, microfiber cloth. For water rings and other stains that just won’t go away, you can always try applying a small bit of non-gel toothpaste to the stain and rubbing it in. NOTE: Be sure to follow the grain of the wood. Wipe the surface clean and polish as needed.

Sanding and re-staining a wooden surface can be another alternative, if more traditional stain removal methods don’t get the job done.

Tips for Removing Stains

Whether you use these DIY stain removal tips or some of your own, here are a few important tips you should follow:

a) Always clean a stain as soon as possible. The faster you can get to it, the better chance you have of getting it out.

b) Be sure to do a small test of the stain remover on an unseen part of the material to ensure it won’t cause any discoloration. If your test reveals any color change or fading, you should opt for a different cleaning solution or seek professional assistance.

c) A white microfiber cloth can help prevent color transfer when cleaning or drying a cleaned surface.

d) Blot, don’t rub, because rubbing can cause the stain to soak it more and prevent it from being able to be removed.

e) Steer clear of harsh abrasives and harmful chemicals. These generally cause more harm than good.

f) Use water sparingly, particularly when cleaning upholstered furniture. Excess water can lead to water rings.

g) Don’t get discouraged after the first try. Sometimes stain removal takes time and persistence. Either let your solution soak in longer or try it again. If it still doesn’t come out, you may want to seek assistance from a professional cleaning service.

Natural is always better

Hopefully these DIY natural stain removal tips can help you keep your home clean and free of unsightly stains, without the use of harmful chemicals and toxins. Happy cleaning!