Stains have a way of happening when you least expect them and at the worst possible moment. If you don’t have time to rush to the dry cleaner or grab a cleaning solution from the store, don’t panic. We’re here to help with ingredients you already have at home!
From grass marks and blood stains, to coffee spills and grease spots, we’ve gathered the ultimate list of DIY cleaning spray recipes. So grab a spare spray bottle, and keep reading to learn how to tackle (almost) any type of stain.
Can’t wait for a dry cleaner? Try these DIY cleaning spray recipes for common stains.
Grease and Oil Stains
Oil and grease stains, whether from cooking or handiwork, are a common household hazard. Although they’re known for being extra stubborn, it’s not impossible to remove them on your own!
In fact, this DIY stain remover recipe only requires two ingredients: hydrogen peroxide and Dawn dish soap. Here’s what to do:
Mix two parts hydrogen peroxide with one part Dawn dish soap. For an 8-oz bottle, that’s 1/4 cup dish soap and 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide.
After stirring the solution well, pour it into a dark-tinted spray bottle. Hydrogen peroxide cannot be stored in clear bottles, as it’s quite sensitive to the sun.
Spray the solution onto the stain, rub it in with a clean toothbrush, and let it sit for at least one hour.
After it absorbs, wash the garment as usual according to the care label instructions.
Coffee Stains
The only thing sadder than losing a sip of your morning coffee to a spill is having it stain your clothing. Instead of letting it ruin your morning, head back to the kitchen and make these sprays:
One part vinegar and one part water: this can break down the coffee’s tannins to prepare it for stain removal.
One cup of water with a squirt of Dawn dish soap: this soapier solution is a good second step for removing oily coffee stains.
After spraying each one on the stain, remember to blot, not rub.
Vinegar can actually do a lot more than remove coffee stains—it’s a laundry super ingredient, too!
Blood Stains
Blood stains are a type of protein stain. With the right concoction, you should be able to lift them quite easily.
With the following spray, we always recommend spot-testing a hidden part of your garment. Blood stain removal requires hydrogen peroxide, which can cause occasional color loss.
After choosing an inconspicuous area for a test spray, gather hydrogen peroxide, water, and a light-colored cloth, then follow these steps:
Pour a few tablespoons of the hydrogen peroxide into a dark-colored bottle.
Mist the test area or stain, and dab it with the cloth.
Dip the garment in clean water, and rinse the area under a tap.
Wine Stains
We’ve already covered how to get wine stains out of carpets, but here’s how to get it out of clothes:
Blot the stain with an absorbent towel to remove as much of the liquid as possible
Mix 3 parts hydrogen peroxide and 1 part dishwashing liquid
Spray the solution liberally to the stain
Allow it to sit for 20 minutes - one hour
After soaking, blot the stain clean with a fresh rag and run under cold water
Remember that the key to successful wine stain removal is to act quickly, never scrub the stain, and avoid applying heat.
Ink Stains
Ink stains may be rare, but there’s always a slim chance your favorite pen will explode on your favorite shirt. Or, if you have little ones at home, you never know where marker stains will end up.
To remove any rogue ink splotches, follow these steps:
Grab an alcohol-based hairspray or sprayable hand sanitizer (if it’s the right consistency, just pour gel sanitizer into a spray bottle).
Spray it onto the stain and allow it to absorb during steps 3 and 4.
Mix a cup of water, a squirt of laundry detergent, and a dash of vinegar in a spray bottle.
Test your solution by rubbing a little into a hidden part of the garment. If it doesn’t damage the fabric, rinse out the hairspray or hand sanitizer.
Apply your solution liberally to the stain and allow it to soak for 30 minutes.
If the stain is still there after 30 minutes, you may still be able to remove it. Simply dampen a corner of a cloth with the same hairspray or hand sanitizer as before and dab the stain directly until it lifts.
Grass Stains
Grappling with grass stains?
For white garments, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and either baking soda or dish soap in a spray bottle. For colored clothing, mix one part distilled white vinegar with one part water. Then:
Apply your solution to the stain, and allow it to soak for 30 minutes.
Scrub the stain with a finger or clean toothbrush.
Rinse it with cold water, then machine wash as normal.
Old and Set Stains
Think removing old and set stains is impossible? Think again! For any type of stain, give this classic DIY stain solution a try:
Mix one part dish soap and two parts hydrogen peroxide in a dark-colored spray bottle.
Spot-test the solution in a hidden part of the garment. If you don’t notice anything after 30 minutes, rinse it out with cold water.
Saturate the stain, rub it in well with your finger, and let it sit as long as possible. At least one hour is ideal!
Still can’t lift a stubborn stain? Don’t worry. Some things are better left to the professionals, especially garments that require dry cleaning even without a stain.
Instead of searching ‘dry cleaner near me,’ stop by the WaveMAX laundromat in Thornton for expert stain removal support. Or, visit our website to schedule a pick-up and drop-off laundry service.
