Finding DIY versions of everyday cleaning products can be hit-or-miss. Sometimes they work amazingly well (like the time I tried cleaning a porcelain sink or removing hard water stains from my faucet), and other times, it just doesn’t work out at all. One huge win in the homemade cleaning department is the following DIY stain remover recipe. This stuff is incredible at removing a variety of stains, including set-in grease stains. I’m telling you, this stain remover is amazing… and you only need two ingredients!
This week we’re conducting a little experiment. I am always on the look out for DIY versions of common household cleaners because they cost a whole lot less!
I discovered this DIY stain remover while doing research on cleaning a mattress, so I thought I’d try it out on some of the stains I commonly see in our laundry. Let’s see how well this homemade stain remover works, shall we?
What You Need to Make DIY Stain Remover
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Ingredients Needed for DIY Stain Remover
Supplies Needed for Homemade Stain Remover
- Glass Liquid Measuring Cup
- Dark Spray Bottle (These are my favorite)- The reason you want to use a dark spray bottle is because hydrogen peroxide will break down in sunlight.
IMPORTANT: I once tried this DIY stain remover with a natural dish soap, and after a couple days the spray bottle had pressurized and the stain remover was all over my counter. After doing some research, I believe an ingredient in the dish soap (Sodium Carbonate) was the cause. Because of this issue, I am going to recommend you use Dawn as I know this works without any issues.
How to Make DIY Stain Remover
This stain remover recipe could not be easier.
Simply combine 2 parts hydrogen peroxide with one part Dawn dish soap in a liquid measuring cup and give it a stir. The amount you use will vary depending on the size of the bottle you will be using for storage. Here are the easiest amounts based on common sizes:
8 Oz. Bottle: 1/4 cup Dawn Dish Soap mixed with 1/2 Cup Hydrogen Peroxide
16 Oz. Bottle: 1/2 cup Dawn Dish Soap mixed with 1 Cup Hydrogen Peroxide
24 Oz. Bottle: 1 cup Dawn Dish Soap mixed with 1 1/2 Cup Hydrogen Peroxide
Once the mixture is well stirred, pour the solution in a dark spray bottle.
When ready to use, simply spray the solution onto the stain, working it in with a toothbrush for maximum benefit. Allow the stain remover to sit on the garment for a minimum of one hour and then launder according to the washing instructions.
How Well Does This Homemade Stain Remover Work?
I grabbed an old t-shirt and applied ketchup, mustard, canola oil, spaghetti sauce, ink, & red Kool-Aid. I allowed the stains to set in for 1 hour. As you will notice, I have two blobs of stain on the shirt because I applied the stain remover to one side and not the other, so we could see what you’d get with laundry detergent alone.
I sprayed the stains on the right side of the shirt with the DIY Stain Remover.
I used a toothbrush to work the stain remover into the stain and allowed it to sit for one hour. After the hour was up, I laundered the t-shirt as I typically would. Here are the results.
Without the stain remover, I can still see everything except the Kool-Aid. With the stain remover applied, I see faint mustard and ink stains, but I’m pretty impressed with the results. To be honest, I wasn’t sure a store-bought brand would do any better, but I thought I’d check it out. I went through the exact same process with a name-brand Stain Remover. Again, I applied the items for staining and let them sit for one hour. I then sprayed on the name-brand stain remover and scrubbed it in with toothbrush, waited 1 hour, and washed.
Here are the results of the DIY Stain Remover vs. Store-Bought.
I can still see mustard with the store-bought version, but I’d say it performed slightly better than our DIY version on that stain. However our name-brand stain remover hardly got the ink out at all, and the DIY Stain Remover got it almost all the way out. As for the other stains, I think both stain removers performed equally well. I’m going to stick with the DIY stain remover myself, especially for ink stains!
Looking for More Laundry Room DIYs? Try These Recipes!
Homemade Laundry Soap | DIY Dryer Balls
Common Questions About This DIY Stain Remover Recipe
Does this Homemade Stain Remover bleach clothes (due to the added hydrogen peroxide)?
This may be the most frequently asked question I get about this stain remover recipe. Here is what I will say: I have applied this DIY stain remover to all kinds of fabrics in a variety of colors… and sometimes I have left it on for days before putting it in the washer! The only time I ever noticed a change in the color of a garment was when I applied this stain remover to a white t-shirt and left it on for over a week. The areas in which the stain remover was applied became more white (which may have been a good thing being that the shirt was white to begin with). I have never noticed any lightening of color on any other item of clothing. With that said, I always recommend testing any homemade cleaning product (or store-bought, for that matter) to make sure there is no unwanted change.
Do I Have to Use Dawn Dish Soap? Is there an Alternative?
I always try to go with the most natural route possible when making my own cleaning products… and I know Dawn is not exactly known to be the most natural dish soap out there. I did try this stain remover recipe with a natural dish soap (as mentioned above). The issue with natural dish soaps is they often contain baking soda or washing soda; when those ingredients are mixed with the hydrogen peroxide, the bottle pressurizes and you end up with stain remover all over the place. If you want to make stain remover with natural dish soap, you can do it one batch at a time. You would mix 1 Tbsp. dish soap with 2 Tbsp. hydrogen peroxide and apply the stain remover with a toothbrush. This, however, could not be store for future use.
Does this Stain Remover Recipe Work on Set-In Stains or Stains that have been through the Dryer
YES! I cannot tell you how many times I am folding my clean laundry only to find a grease stain I didn’t notice prior to washing. I have probably used this DIY Stain Remover a hundred times on set-in grease stains and they come out every single time.
Homemade Stain Remover
Ingredients
- 1 Part Dawn Dish Soap
- 2 Parts Hydrogen Peroxide
Supplies
- Liquid Measuring Cup
- Dark Spray Bottle (For Storage)
Instructions
- In a liquid measuring cup combine 1 part Dawn dish soap and 2 Parts Hydrogen Peroxide. The amount used will vary depending on the size of the bottle you are using for storage. Refer to post above for best amounts to use for common bottle sizes.
- Stir the mixture and pour into a dark spray bottle for storage.
- To use, spray the stain remover onto stain and allow to sit for one hour (minimum). For best result, use a toothbrush to scrub the stain remover into the stain. Launder per garment instructions.
John Jones says
Just tó let people in UK know Dawn and Fairy dish soap are the same product just that in some countries it’s called Dawn and here in the UK it’s branded as Fairy. Hope that saves people money by not having to pay more for Dawn
Clair Wayman says
Well, I’ll use Dawn. Thanks!
Heather Skye says
This DIY stain remover sounds amazing! And I appreciate how you took the time to try it on different stains. You even added pictures! I normally book a laundry service online for when I have laundry items with tough stains–especially bigger items like sheets. I just don’t have the time to keep on scrubbing my clothes or sheets. But I will try this!
Michelle A Salerno says
I got a similar one from my MIL – but you can’t spray it – it has baking soda in it and it’s rather thick. But it does have the problem of expanding overnight in the container – guessing the baking soda. I’m looking forward to trying this one that I can use a spray bottle.
Cindy Huggins says
Yeah, I try it out on a colored rag 🙂
Happy Hiller says
I love DIY products! Thanks!
Filip says
I absolutely love DIY cleaning products! They are much more affordable, quite easy to make, and gentle on my clothes, products and my skin too! Thank you Erin for this amazing DIY stain remover recipe! I can finally get that stubborn ketchup stain off my pale white cushion!
Bev says
Can I use this on colored clothing? I feel the peroxide will bleach my clothing.
Erin says
I have used it on colored clothing without problems. If you are concerned, you could always try it out on a colored rag so you can feel comfortable using it on more valuable clothing.
Joan @ Clean Home Guide says
I tried it on colored clothes. Everything is good. No problem.
dirindA says
an easy way to get rid of ink is hairspray, the stuff in a can, you can get it at a dollar store, just spray, sometimes rub with toothbrush, and wash, ink all gone
Erin says
I’ve heard hairspray works on ink as well. I just never have hairspray on hand.
Heather M W Perry says
I believe it is the alcohol in the hairspray that is the trick. I have removed ink stains with rubbing alcohol. I have varying percentages from 30 -90% for a variety of different uses. We have a serious mold/mildew problem in one of our bathrooms (soon to be remodeled) but until then, we wipe with a high alcohol % and water – then spray occasionally with thieves household spray or sometimes Odoban.
Hth
Kenna MacCallum says
We used to use hairspray on the purple ink to change prices on cans in the grocery store. Dating myself but I was in high school when I worked there.
sue says
Stains can be so frustrating. I love to wear white but when I do it just calls out for the red wine or pasta sauce to ‘hop on board’ LOL. Thanks for sharing this cost saving tip which actually works with us at #AnythngGoes. See you next week!
Erin says
Why is white a magnet for red sauces and wines? I tried this on my husband’s work shirts as well, as they get a little dirty around the collar. This worked GREAT! As always, thanks for hosting!
sue says
Our pleasure and I always enjoy your posts! I learn something even at my age!
Jody @easypeasymom says
Awesome, love DIY cleaning solutions! I have saved so much money using things like vinegar and baking soda to clean, plus they are so much healthier! I am definitely pinning this since I have a toddler who tends to be very messy! Thanks for sharing!
Visiting from the Your Turn To Shine blog hop
Erin says
Thanks for stopping over Jody! I have a bunch of DIY cleaning ideas on this blog- not sure if you had a chance to look around or not. I am slowly starting to change over all the chemical-filled store cleaners for the DIY versions. They really are so much cheaper and safer to use. I can see you have some ideas on your site too (based on your latest title on “CommentLuv”. I’m going to head over and check out your site. Do you have a favorite DIY cleaner? I’m always looking for ideas. Have a good evening!
Jennifer @ Brave New Home says
I need to pick up some hydrogen peroxide the next time I’m at the store! I just tried getting out some mattress stains to no avail. Thanks for sharing your results!
Erin says
Hope this little concoction works well for you. I was pretty impressed with the results.