Would you like to avoid harsh chemicals while tackling that stubborn carpet or laundry stain?
In order to find the best solution, it’s helpful to consider the chemistry behind cleaning. On the pH scale, 7.0 is neutral. Anything above this is alkaline; anything below is acidic. Here are some examples of the pH factors of various familiar natural compounds. (Note: bleach has a pH of 12.6 – washing soda comes pretty close!)
We know that an acid neutralizes an alkaline and vice versa. Therefore, white vinegar is best used for an alkaline stain such as grass, while baking soda works best on acidic stains (and odors) such as pet urine. If pet stains are permitted to dry they will become alkaline, in which case white vinegar is optimal.
(Did you know it’s easy to raise the pH of baking soda by heating it? See DIY Washing Soda.)
In addition to the chemistry, it can be helpful to consider the various forms of stain removal.
How to Remove Stains Naturally
Blot
Blotting is the best way to treat carpet stains. Blot with clean fabric or paper towels. Stand on or place heavy book on stain if needed, but do not rub. Repeat using fresh towels/fabric. When using minerals such as baking soda, sprinkle and allow to dry. Vacuum. If baking soda residue remains, spray diluted white vinegar. Allow to dry and vacuum again. Blotting may be used on some laundry stains as well.
Paste
Combine dry material with enough water to make a paste. Cream of tartar and baking soda work well this way. Pastes work best for stains that are set. Apply paste and allow it to sit overnight. Launder as usual.
Soak
Stubborn laundry stains can be left soaking in alkaline or acidic solutions overnight. The website Safe Natural Tips suggests a general protocol of pre-soaking laundry with 1/2 cup borax in the washer. Allow to set for 30-60 minutes, then wash as usual.
Spray
Liquid solutions such as hydrogen peroxide and club soda are effective stain removers. Keep a spray bottle of each on hand.
Soap
Rub a bar of castile soap onto stain and allow to soak, or wash as usual. Vegetable glycerin (a natural by-product of soap) is effective as well. (Our family has launched a line of all-natural products including chemical-free Coconut Castile Soap, which can be purchased at our Just So Online Store, as well as through our momsAWARE Online Store.)
Looking for specific suggestions?
- Baby Formula: Washing soda, borax, castile soap.
- Berries: Washing soda, borax, castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, glycerin.
- Blood: Washing soda, borax, club soda, hydrogen peroxide, castile soap, cold water.
- Butter/Grease: Washing soda, glycerin as prewash, castile soap.
- Chewing Gum: Freeze, then pull off.
- Chocolate: Washing soda, hydrogen peroxide.
- Coffee and Tea:Washing soda, borax, club soda, hydrogen peroxide.
- Crayons: Glycerin as prewash, heat with hair dryer and wipe off, mix baking soda with soap.
- Egg: Cold water, washing soda, cream of tartar paste.
- Fruit: Washing soda, borax, club soda, castile soap.
- Grass: White vinegar, cream of tartar, glycerin, milk.
- Ink: Milk, white vinegar or lemon juice and salt, cream of tartar, soap and water. For ballpoint ink, soak in vodka.
- Lipstick: Glycerin, baking soda, liquid soap mixed with baking soda to make paste.
- Mold/Mildew: Borax, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar. **
- Mustard: Loosen with soap or glycerin, follow with washing soda.
- Paint: White vinegar, milk, lemon juice, cream of tartar, glycerin.
- Perspiration: Washing soda, borax, castile soap. Older perspiration stains may respond to white vinegar.
- Rust: White vinegar, milk, lemon juice, cream of tartar.
- Sugar: Cold water only.
- Tomato Sauce: Washing soda, borax, baking soda.
- Urine: Washing soda, borax, baking soda.
- Wine: Washing soda, borax, castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, glycerin.
In the video below I demonstrate some of these natural stain removal solutions.
With a few supplies and a little know-how, you’ll be ready for any stains and spills that come your way!
What success have you had with natural stain removal?
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This is great! I’ve been using natural cleaners for my house for a while now, but I have to admit I’m not very good with laundry stuff. My kiddos, well and my husband too, love butter, so the butter/grease tip is really going to help me out! Thanks!
So happy to hear, Lydia! Gotta love that butter. 🙂
My best stain advice is to AVOID them! We try to wear aprons over good clothes and junky clothes we don’t care about for messy play/work. Prevention is key in many areas when it comes to health 🙂
But thank you for the great list for trouble shooting when mishaps do indeed happen!
Great tips, always need help removing the stains from my family’s clothes.
I never heard of freezing to get gum off, I could have used that tip a few weeks ago 🙂
This is awesome!!! We constantly have berry stains since DS loves berries!
I was just talking about stubborn stains the other day and looking for solutions, I’ll have to try some of these out!
Besides acidic and alkaline cleaners, alcohol should also be in the list. Alcohol is best for lifting synthetic color based stains like paint and ink without affecting the underlying surface.
Is there an alternative to using Borax? Since EWG has said this is not a safe alternative, I am trying to find things around using it.
I hope there is something! I really love all your ideas!! 😉
Here is my take on Borax:
http://it-takes-time.com/2014/05/28/the-safety-of-borax/
If you want to steer clear of it, I would consider using washing soda and baking soda as well as some citric acid (1:1:1)
Hi, thank you for this info. Can you help further?
I’ve just washed my (mostly cotton) clothes with a bunch of towels that mopped up a huge milk spill. I used a friend’s natural washing powder but not sure what it was and added tea tree essential oil + vinegar in the rinse cycle at 40 degrees C. Now hung and dry It all still smells of aging milk, especially when wetted again… Not nice!
I will try the washing soda (as for baby formula). Is there anything else I can do to neutralise and clean out the milk protein?
Thanks for any guidance
Perhaps diluted hydrogen peroxide (Although colors could fade slightly), hang in the sun, and perhaps use a washing board. Scrubbing with castile soap on an old-fashioned washing board can do wonders.https://www.walmart.com/ip/Behrens-Galvanized-Washboard/47853198?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=335&adid=22222222227034985351&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=75439720114&wl4=pla-175425711634&wl5=9030186&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=111830463&wl11=online&wl12=47853198&wl13=&veh=sem