Homemade Natural Stain Removers
- 1). Remove stains when they are fresh. Always try a bit of solution on an inconspicuous location first in case fabric or carpet dyes may be affected.
- 2). Use straight baking soda instead of cleanser. It won't scratch. Apply directly to chrome, sinks, tubs, toilets, counters, on vinyl and inside the refrigerator. For tough stains, dampen with water then sprinkle liberally with baking soda. Let it sit for several minutes, then scrub with a soft, coarse pad. Rinse with water.
- 3). Eradicate grease from clothing or carpets by applying straight isopropyl rubbing alcohol directly to the stain. Blot with a clean cloth, then wash with detergent in warm water. If staining remains, try applying a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, blot and wash again.
- 4). Blot red wine up immediately with a clean cloth, then blot with a cloth dampened with warm water. Blot with a dry cloth again. Pour a dash of milk, club soda or white wine onto the area, blot and wash in warm water. Alternatively, mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and liquid detergent, then apply it directly on the stain. Blot with a clean cloth, then rinse with warm water. Reapplying may be necessary.
- 5). Use straight vinegar to remove berry or fruit stains, then rinse with warm water. Wipe away stains and grease anywhere in the home using vinegar and water on a cloth or sponge. Watch the coffee stains vanish in the coffee pot and cups with a little elbow grease. It cuts through soap scum and mildew, mineral deposits and wax buildup, too.
- 6). Make white laundry sparkle. Presoak whites for 30 minutes by adding 1/2 cup of 20 percent hydrogen peroxide to the soak cycle, then wash as usual. A 1/2 cup of borax can be substituted for the peroxide. Use 1/2 cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle to soften clothes.
- 7). Clean the toilet bowl by sprinkling baking soda into the standing water. Pour 1/2 cup of vinegar slowly into the water. Watch it bubble. Let it stand for 30 minutes or more, then scrub with a brush. Adding 1/4 cup of borax to the water and brushing may do the trick alone. Let it soak to eradicate rings.
