Homemade Stain Removers

Variety of stains

The market on cleaning supplies seems to be endless, and every day a new product appears, promising to be the last stain remover you will ever need. So how do you decide what stain remover to invest in? Well, most stain removers start with the same basic ingredients, so with a few recipes you can make your own stain remover and customize it to your needs, whether it be for carpet or laundry or tile. At the same time, you'll be saving money.

Things You'll Need

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Ammonia
• White vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Milk
• Borax
• Chlorine bleach
• Dish detergent
• Paper towels
• Sponge
• Baking soda
• Empty spray bottle

Instructions

1. To remove stains from porcelain, whether it be a sink or bath fixture or porcelain tile, mix 1 teaspoon of any dish detergent, 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of bleach. If the stain is in the sink, fill the sink with a few inches of warm water, add the mixture and let it sit overnight. Rinse the sink out in the morning. If the stain is on a piece of tile or in an area that will not allow water to pool, take a piece of cheesecloth and put some warm water on it. Take the mixture, pour it on the stain and cover it with the cheese cloth. Allow it to sit overnight, then rinse it off in the morning. Repeat if necessary.

2. To remove spots from fine fabrics, upholstery or carpeting, combine 3 tablespoons of peroxide and 1 tablespoon of ammonia. Place the mixture on the stain and leave on for one hour. Rinse off and repeat if necessary. Do not mix more than you need of this mixture, as the longer it sits together it will generate a heat reaction. Also, use this in a well ventilated area as this mixture will generates fumes.

3. 

   To remove ink stain from fabric, mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of milk and 1 teaspoon of Borax. Place the stained piece of fabric on top of several layers of paper towels. Place the remover mixture on the stain and let it sit for several minutes. Blot the stain with a damp cool water sponge. Repeat if necessary.

4. To make a laundry stain remover that you can keep on hand, mix 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of hot water. Pour into an empty spray bottle and keep on hand for emergencies or tough stains. Spot treat the stain with this mixture and let it set overnight.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep laundry stain remover mixtures in a spare spray bottle on hand for future use.

• For any mixtures that use bleach, be sure to use in a well ventilated area.

Resources

• Information on stain remover ingredients and how to use them