5 Home Products You Can Use to Remove Stains

As more households look for ways to minimize exposure to harsh chemicals, natural cleaning products have become the go-to solution even for stain removal. They are biodegradable, low in volatile organic compounds like hydrocarbons, and gentle on sensitive skin. 

And the good news is that they are just as effective as regular cleaning products as they can remove the most stubborn stains. This tutorial about how to get blood out of clothes explains their effectiveness. Here are some home products you can use to remove stains.

1. Lemon Juice

The solution contains acetic acid, which has a natural bleaching action. It’s particularly effective at removing yellow underarm stains or rust on white fabric. Be sure to acquaint yourself with using lemon for stain removal to avoid staining the fabric further. Here are some examples:

• Lemon and water: This solution is great at removing fruit juice stains. A mixture of ? of lemon juice and ? of water is rubbed on the stain for a few minutes until it fades
• Lemons and salt: This remedy is also great at removing stains on white clothing. Squeeze lemon juice on the stain, pour a pinch of salt, and rinse with water
• Lemons + detergent: In case of rust stains, pour a cup of lemon juice into the washing machine along with the detergent. The solution not only removes the stain but also brightens your clothes

2. Vinegar

Having a natural solution that can remove the toughest stains can save time even for the busy moms working at home. Vinegar is one such versatile cleaning solution that can remove tomato stains from coffee, and mildew stains. What’s more, it’s affordable, safer than chlorine bleach, and more gentle on fabrics.

Be sure to use white vinegar, not other types, to avoid staining the fabric. White vinegar is particularly effective at removing yellow underarm stains and mildew stains. Adding a cup of white vinegar to the final rinse should leave your clothes smelling fresh and feeling soft.

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda is the most versatile cleaning solution at home. It can remove fresh grease stains, rust, food, and drink stains. A paste of 2-3 parts of baking soda to one part of the water is rubbed on the stain and left for 30 minutes.

Then rinse the area while scrubbing the stain off. If removing a tougher or older stain, leave the paste on for 1-2 hours.

Apart from removing stubborn stains, baking soda effectively removes odor from clothing, especially that from heavy perspiration.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is often used for first-aid, but it can also remove stains. It’s best used to remove fruit, red wine, nail polish, mildew, dye, and vegetable stains. It can also remove the yellow underarm stains from white clothes when used and baking soda and water.

While it contains a mild form of bleach, it’s best to test the solution on colored clothing first. Dip a piece of cotton in the solution and rub it on the fabric. Allow it to soak for 10 minutes before washing the garment.

Apart from stain removal, you can use hydrogen peroxide to brighten white clothes. Add a cup of the solution in a washer drum or automatic bleach dispense in the washing machine.

5. Borax

It’s another stain removal product when used along with a detergent. Simply pre-soak laundry for 30 minutes in a solution of warm water and a tablespoon of borax.

The alkaline solution breaks down stains leaving your clothes sparkling clean. Borax is best used to remove oil, tomato, mustard, and grease stains.

You can also use the solution to remove soap residue from clothing. Borates in the borax solution ensure the soap remains dispersed throughout the load without getting attached to the fabric. 

Alternatively, soak the clothes in a borax solution without adding detergent, and you’ll be surprised at the amount of detergent that comes out of the clothes.