The best homemade stain removers for white clothes
To fight stains on white clothes, skip the expensive, chemical-laden commercial products and make your own powerful stain remover at home.
Quick links:
Why is it hard to remove stains from white clothes?
Basic ingredients for homemade stain remover
While homemade stain removers for white clothes can be highly effective, they require time, trial and error.
For busy families who want a fuss-free, environmentally friendly stain solution, Smart Sheep's stain stick is the clear choice.
Why is it hard to remove stains from white clothes?
White fabrics are synonymous with elegance and purity, but they come with a downside—the light, bright fabric shows every drip, spill, or smudge. Whether it's a dinner mishap or a coffee catastrophe, dealing with stains on white fabrics can be quite a challenge.
Stains commonly come from food, drinks, or substances that contain dyes, pigments, or oils.
- Dark sodas, coffee, tea, or wine contain deep pigments that dye light fabrics.
- Condiments and sauces have thick textures that seep into fabrics.
- Grassy fields or muddy environments leave embedded earth stains.
These staining agents latch onto the fabric at a molecular level. They can become permanently set into the material over time.
Harsh stain removal methods also damage delicate fabrics:
- Hot water causes protein-based stains to cook and bind to fibers.
- Bleach oxidizes and degrades silk, wool, colored cotton, and other fabrics.
- Rubbing spreads stains further across the surface.
Basic ingredients for homemade stain remover
Homemade stain removers for white clothes can be made with just a few simple ingredients. You'll be able to tackle tough stains without exposing your garments (or family) to harsh chemicals.
With a little know-how, household items can be transformed into effective DIY stain-fighting solutions for your white laundry.
White vinegar
White vinegar is a powerhouse ingredient for homemade stain removers, especially for white clothes, because it:
- Breaks down tough stains coffee, wine, and sweat stains
- Brightens whites by dissolving soap scum and hard water deposits
- Cuts through grease and oil-based stains
- Is safe for most white fabrics, including cotton and linen
- Leaves no residue
- Prevents yellowing or dulling of whites
- Naturally disinfects, eliminates odor-causing bacteria
- Is eco-friendly and gentle alternative to harsh chemical bleaches
- Is inexpensive and readily available in most households
Because of its acidic properties, white vinegar is an excellent natural stain fighter for keeping your white clothes pristine.
Baking soda
Baking soda excels at tackling stains on white fabrics. This common household staple:
- Lifts stubborn stains through gentle abrasion
- Brightens whites without harsh chemicals
- Neutralizes acidic odors in fabrics
- Enhances overall cleaning power of other ingredients
- Removes dirt and grime without fabric damage
- Balances pH levels to prevent the yellowing of whites
- Works on all white fabric types, from delicates to towels
- Dissolves completely, leaving no residue
- Acts as a natural fabric softener
- Is a safe, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly option
- Is inexpensive and readily available in most households
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide packs a powerful punch against white fabric stains. Hydrogen peroxide is great because it:
- Bleaches and brightens without damaging fibers
- Eliminates sweat and blood stains (and other protein-based stains)
- Tackles yellowing and dingy discoloration
- Sanitizes clothes while removing marks
- Acts quickly on fresh stains
- Leaves no residue or scent
- Serves as a safer alternative to chlorine bleach
- Effective on different types of stains
- Costs less than commercial stain treatments
- Is eco friendly since it breaks down into water and oxygen
Lemon juice
Lemon juice's acidic properties make it an excellent addition to homemade stain-removal solutions for white garments, because it:
- Breaks down protein-based stains such as sweat and food
- Acts as a natural bleaching agent to brighten whites
- Cuts through grease and oil stains
- Contains citric acid that dissolves stubborn buildup
- Leaves a fresh, clean scent on fabrics
- Good for yellow underarm stains
- Combines easily with other natural cleaning agents
- Proves gentle on most white fabrics
- Offers an eco-friendly option for conscious consumers
Salt
Salt is surprisingly effective for white clothes stain removal, because it:
- Absorbs liquid stains before they set
- Works as an abrasive for scrubbing away mud and dirt without harsh chemicals
- Prevents color transfer on mixed laundry loads
- Boosts the stain-fighting power of other ingredients
- Helps break down protein-based stains such as blood or sweat
- Reduces yellowing on white fabrics
- Works as a color-safe abrasive on tough stains
- Dissolves completely, leaving no residue
- Serves as an inexpensive addition to DIY stain removers
- Offers a non-toxic option for eco-conscious households
Equipment you will need
You don’t need any fancy tools for your DIY stain remover. Just raid your cabinets or drawers for these items:
- Spray bottles: Recycle an empty cleaner bottle or purchase new empty sprayers. The spray nozzle allows you to directly apply your DIY stain solution to clothes.
- Mason jars: These quintessential pantry jars are perfect for mixing up and storing batches of your stain-fighting potions. You can easily add ingredients because of their wide mouths.
- Funnels: A standard kitchen funnel helps you neatly guide liquids into spray bottles or jars without spilling a drop.
- Measuring spoons and cups: For stain-removing success, accurately measure out ingredients. Standard measuring cups and spoons help get the proportions right.
- Saucepan: A small saucepan is useful for recipes that require heating ingredients to create a paste or thickened solution.
White vinegar stain remover recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 tablespoon salt
- Juice of 1 lemon
Once you have everything gathered, follow these simple steps:
- In a spray bottle, combine water and white vinegar.
- Add baking soda slowly to avoid fizzing.
- Pour in salt and lemon juice.
- Shake the bottle well to mix all ingredients.
To use this DIY stain remover, spray directly on the stain and let it sit for 15–30 minutes before washing as usual.
This solution effectively tackles sweat stains, food, and drink spills (such as coffee, tea, and wine), grass and mud stains, light rust, and general yellowing or dinginess. It works on cotton and other natural fibers—but always test on an inconspicuous area first, especially for delicate fabrics.
Baking soda stain remover recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup of baking soda
- 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide
- 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap
- 2 cups or warm water
Once you have all the ingredients, follow these steps:
- In a bowl, mix the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste.
- Add the dish soap and stir.
- Gradually add warm water while stirring until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle or airtight container.
To use this baking soda stain remover, apply it directly to the stain and gently work it into the fabric with a soft brush or your fingers. Let it sit for 30–60 minutes before tossing it into the washing machine.
Use this solution on stubborn ink, pet, food, and oily stains. It also works well on sweat marks and collar rings. The combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide brightens whites while removing stains.
Hydrogen peroxide stain remover recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 parts hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution)
- 1 part liquid laundry detergent
To prepare this solution, follow these steps:
- In a small bowl, mix the hydrogen peroxide and liquid laundry detergent.
- Stir gently until well combined.
To use this hydrogen peroxide stain remover, apply directly to the stain using a clean white cloth or soft brush. Gently work it into the fabric and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. For tougher stains, you can cover the treated area with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying. After treatment, wash the garment in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
This solution fights protein-based stains such as blood, sweat, and food, as well as wine and grass stains. It also works well on stubborn yellowing in white fabrics.
Lemon juice stain remover recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
To prepare the solution:
- Squeeze the lemons to extract 1/2 cup of juice.
- In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens.
- Remove from heat and let it cool before transferring to a glass jar.
To use this lemon juice stain remover, apply a small amount directly to the stain using a clean cloth or soft brush. Gently work it into the fabric and leave it in the sun for 15–30 minutes if possible. The sunlight enhances the natural bleaching effect of the lemon juice. Rinse with cool water and launder as usual.
You can use this DIY stain remover on underarms, fruit, vegetable, and rust stains on white clothes. The acidic properties of lemon juice help break down stains while also brightening whites. The salt acts as a gentle abrasive, and the cornstarch helps to create a paste-like consistency for better application.
Salt stain remover recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup table salt
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cold water
To prepare the solution:
- In a small bowl, mix the salt and white vinegar to form a paste.
- Add water gradually, stirring until you achieve a thick, spreadable consistency.
To use this salt-based stain remover, apply the paste directly to the stain using your fingers or a soft brush. Gently rub it into the fabric, focusing on the stained area. Let it sit for 15–20 minutes before rinsing with cool water. For stubborn stains, you can leave it on for up to an hour. After treatment, wash the garment as usual.
This salt stain remover is effective on sweat stains, red wine stains, and grass marks on white clothes.
Pros of homemade stain removers
Creating your own stain removers offers several advantages over store-bought options:
- Natural ingredients: Homemade solutions use gentle, non-toxic components such as vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. This improves safety for your family and the environment.
- Customizable recipes: You can adjust formulas to target specific stains or fabric types. It's possible to increase whitening power or alter consistency as needed.
- Cost-effective: Common household items create powerful stain fighters at a fraction of commercial product prices.
- Eco-friendly: You reduce plastic waste and chemical runoff with reusable containers for your homemade mixtures.
- Educational opportunity: Children can learn about cleaning science and environmental responsibility through measuring and mixing activities.
Homemade stain removers protect your white clothes, your wallet, and the planet while providing the satisfaction of a DIY approach to laundry care.
Cons of homemade stain removers for white clothes
While homemade solutions offer many benefits, consider these potential drawbacks:
- Time investment: Creating and testing recipes requires more time and effort than purchasing ready-made products.
- Varying results: Some homemade formulas might not match the potency of commercial stain removers, especially on stubborn marks.
What is the best stain remover for white clothes?
While homemade solutions are great, not everyone has time to mix up DIY formulas. If you want a pre-made natural stain remover, buy a Smart Sheep stain stick.
Made from plant-based ingredients such as coconut oil, vitamin E, and essential oils, our stain stick is non-toxic and perfect for food and pet stains. The solid twist-up stick format is leak-proof and easy to throw in your bag.
This miracle cleaner tackles the toughest oil, juice, grass, and ink stains. Just apply directly to stains, let sit briefly, then wash as normal. The natural cleaning agents go to work dissolving and lifting stains without any scrubbing needed.
Let’s see what our buyers have to say:
“I tried this on a shirt I have not worn since someone dumped a dark heavy beer on my back and the washer did not remove it. THIS DID!! It was not a fresh stain either, so for now, I can say it worked on an old stain!”—I love a bargain SLC, Amazon verified purchaser (five stars)
“I had a sundress with a year old coffee stain all over that I had given up on, but didn't want to throw away. I bought this stain stick when it was on sale and one day I finally coated the entire stain in a thick layer on both sides of the material and it actually all came out.”—Foxy Guacamole, Amazon verified purchaser (5 stars)
Stain remover FAQ
How can I remove old grease stains from my dress?
To remove old greasy stains from your dress, apply a mixture of dish soap and baking soda directly to the stain. Gently scrub with a soft brush, let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Repeat if necessary before washing as usual.
What is the best stain remover for baby stains?
The best stain remover for baby stains is a gentle, enzyme-based cleaner. You can also use a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. These solutions effectively break down formula stains, diaper accidents, chocolate stains, and other protein-based stains without harsh chemicals. For stubborn food marks, a paste of baking soda and water works well.
How do I whiten my white clothes?
To whiten your white clothes, soak them in a solution of 1 cup white vinegar and 1 gallon of hot water for an hour before washing. Or, add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to your regular wash cycle. Both methods naturally brighten and whiten clothes without bleach.
What is the best homemade solution for mildew stains?
The best homemade solution for mildew stains combines equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution directly on the mildew, let it sit for an hour, then scrub with a brush. Wash the item as usual. For stubborn stains, add a tablespoon of borax to the mixture.
How can I remove set-in stains using natural stain removal methods?
For set-in stains, try a mixture of 1 part ethanol product (for example vodka) and 3 parts water. Dab this solution onto the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water. For tougher stains, create a paste with water and oxygen bleach. Apply it to the stain, wait 1 hour, then wash normally.
What's an effective way to treat color stains on dark clothing?
To treat color stains on dark clothing, first identify the stain type. For oil-based stains, apply dish soap directly and gently work it in. For protein-based stains, use an enzyme cleaner. Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary. Avoid bleach or vinegar, as these can discolor dark fabrics.
Further reading
Why is the dryer making my clothes smell burnt?
Will essential oils on my dryer balls stain clothes?
What is the best laundry detergent for sensitive skin?
Detergent sheets vs liquid detergent—who wins?
How can I keep my sheets from balling up in the dryer?
