Natural Tips for Removing Stains Without Harsh Chemicals

Stains are an inevitable part of life, but that doesn’t mean we have to resort to harsh chemicals to get rid of them. As a person who loves experimenting with various do-it-yourself (DIY) methods, I have encountered my fair share of stain removal challenges. Often, the recipes and remedies found on the internet fail to live up to their promises, leaving me frustrated. However, through trial and error, I discovered two effective methods that worked for me. In this article, I’ll share tips for removing  stains naturally without harsh chemicals. 

Hot Water and Eco-Friendly Cleaning Agents

The combination of hot water and eco-friendly cleaning agents works as an excellent natural stain remover for clothes. Here’s a simple method to follow:

Gather Your Ingredients

• Soapnuts: These natural nuts contain saponin, a potent cleaning agent that breaks down stains and dirt.
• Washing Soda: Also known as soda ash or sodium carbonate, washing soda enhances the cleaning properties of soapnuts.
• Hydrogen Peroxide: A mild bleaching agent that helps lift tough stains without harming fabrics.

Mix and Let It Stay

• Place a handful of soapnuts and a tablespoon of washing soda in a container.
• Pour boiling hot water over the soap nuts and washing soda, and let it sit for a few hours until the water cools down.
• Once the water is at a manageable temperature, add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to the mixture.

Hand Wash or Machine Wash

• You can either hand wash the stained items in the soapy water or use the mixture in your washing machine.
• For hand wash, gently scrub the stained areas with the soapy water until the stain starts to fade away.
• For machine wash, add the soapy water along with your regular detergent and run the washing machine as usual.

| Suggest read: Chemical-Free Laundry Detergent At Home

Cold Pressed Soap from Coconut Oil, Flour, and Washing Soda

My personal favourite method for tough stains involves using a DIY cold-pressed soap made from coconut oil, flour, and washing soda. If you are looking for a homemade stain remover without hydrogen peroxide then you can try it out.  Here’s how it works:

Get the Right Ingredients

• Cold-Pressed Soap: Opt for a cold pressed soap bar made from coconut oil, flour, and washing soda, you can also DIY it.
• Washing Soda: As mentioned earlier, washing soda is a powerful cleaning agent that boosts the soap’s stain-fighting abilities.

The Stain Removal Process

• Wet the stained area with a little water.
• Rub the cold-pressed soap bar directly onto the stain until you have a soapy lather.
• Sprinkle some washing soda on top of the lather and gently rub it in.
• Let the soapy mixture sit on the stain for about 30 minutes.

Rinse and Repeat if Necessary

• Rinse the stained area thoroughly with water.
• If the stain persists, repeat the process until it fades away completely.

| Suggest read: DIY Fabric Whitener Hack

Additional DIY Methods for Different Stains

These are some additional DIY’s that can help you out if you wonder how to remove stains from clothes. They may or may not workout as the results can be subjective but giving them a try can be a very good idea. 

Vinegar and Baking Soda for Organic Stains

Vinegar is excellent for tackling organic stains such as coffee, tea, or food spills. It can be used as a homemade stain remover with baking soda, which creates a powerful fizz that helps lift stains. 

• Blot the stain to remove any excess liquid.
• Sprinkle baking soda over the stain.
• Pour some vinegar over the baking soda and watch it fizz.
• Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot and rinse with water.

| Suggest read: DIY Floor Cleaner

Salt and Lemon Juice for Rust Stains

For those pesky rust stains, a mixture of salt and lemon juice can work.

• Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the rust stain.
• Sprinkle salt on top of the lemon juice.
• Let it sit in the sun for a few hours.
• Scrub the stain gently with a brush and rinse.

Cornstarch and Dish Soap for Grease Stains

Grease stains can be challenging to remove, but cornstarch and dish soap can remove the stain naturally.

• Mix cornstarch and dish soap to create a paste.
• Apply the paste to the grease stain and let it sit for a few hours.
• Wipe away the paste, and the grease should come off with it.

| Suggest read: Homemade Eco-Friendly Tile Cleaning

Club Soda for Wine Stains

Spilled wine on your favourite shirt? Don’t worry; club soda can save the day.

• Blot the wine stain with a clean cloth to remove as much liquid as possible.
• Pour club soda over the stain and continue blotting until the stain fades.

Remember, different stains may require different approaches, and it’s essential to test these methods on a small, inconspicuous area before treating the entire stain. With a bit of experimentation and some natural ingredients, you can bid farewell to stubborn stains the eco-friendly way. These solutions might not give you a 100 percent result but in the long run you are making a conscious choice by keeping your health, family and environment safe from all these harsh chemicals. 

| Suggest read: Homemade Dish Soap

To conclude, removing stains naturally without harsh chemicals can be both effective and rewarding. I’ve shared my go-to methods that have given me good results. And apart from everything I am still a learner exploring trial and errors, you can also do the same to select the things that work for you. So, next time you encounter a stubborn stain, give these natural solutions a try before reaching for the chemical-laden alternatives.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):

1. Are these natural methods safe for all types of fabrics? 

Ans. Yes, both the hot water and eco-friendly cleaning agent method and the cold-pressed soap method are generally safe for most fabrics. However, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test on an inconspicuous area before treating the entire stained surface.

2. Can I combine both methods for tougher stains? 

Ans. Absolutely! For tough stains, you can first try the hot water and eco-friendly cleaning agent method. If that doesn’t completely remove the stain, follow up with the cold-pressed soap method.

3. Can I use lemon juice and sunlight for coloured fabrics? 

Ans. Lemon juice may have a bleaching effect, so it’s best to use this method only on white fabrics or do a patch test on coloured fabrics.

4. How long should I let the soapy mixture sit on the stain? 

Ans. Allow the mixture to sit for about 30 minutes, but if the stain is particularly stubborn, you can extend the duration.