White laundry can be annoying because there is always one item of laundry that is still stained no matter how many times it is spun in the washing machine.
White socks and clothes tend to stain more because the lighter fabric absorbs sweat, body oil and other dirt more visibly, which can cause a yellow tint over time.
However, Mary Hunt, money-saving expert and founder of Everyday Cheapskate, has shared that she has the “absolute best” homemade solution for removing laundry stains for good.
She said: “I’m excited to share with you how to make a wonderful, if not magical, DIY homemade laundry stain remover.
“Compare this… to any other expensive commercial product. This stain remover recipe is so easy and cheap to make. And wow, does it work!”
How to make an effective laundry stain remover from natural ingredients
You will need:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Blue Dawn detergent
- Empty spray bottle
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural way to break down tough organic stains such as blood, wine or coffee into smaller containers, helping to remove the stain from white fabric.
It also has a mild bleaching effect that helps to gently remove lighter stains without the use of strong chlorine bleach.
The detergent contains surfactants to help remove stains when washing in water and is designed to cut grease, so it’s great at removing oily stains naturally.
Mary recommends using Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid because it contains special surfactants that are very effective on stains, but any dishwashing liquid can be used.
Method
All you need to do is add one part dish soap and two parts fresh hydrogen peroxide to an empty spray bottle. A funnel can make it easier to add ingredients if you have one.
Shake the bottle to mix it, then apply it directly to the stained white clothes.
Mary said, “Don’t be surprised when that stain goes away on its own! If not, rub the stain with a brush or clean white cloth (you don’t want to transfer color from the cleaning cloth to the stained item).
When the stain looks like it’s getting smaller or has disappeared completely, put it in the washing machine for a regular wash.
When the laundry is done, hang it outside or put it in the gentle dryer to dry, and the clothes should look sparkling white.
Mary added that the stain remover is a “miracle worker” that also works on colored clothes, but be sure to test it beforehand.
She said: “It repairs red wine stains, organic stains like blood and grass, pet stains and baby stains. You can use this on both colored items and whites (although test it in an inconspicuous spot first).