In my house, dealing with laundry stains is an everyday challenge. Many people, including me, would love to hire someone to tackle laundry chores, as it’s often one of the most dreaded household tasks, especially with young children around who seem to create endless stains.
Even my friends who are big on DIY solutions for things like deodorant and toothpaste still rely on regular stain sticks and sprays to handle tough laundry stains. It’s understandable since natural stain removal methods often struggle with difficult stains. When you make the switch to natural cleaning products, it’s not as simple as just spraying on something like Shout and using Tide to wash the stains away.
Conventional stain removers are some of the harshest cleaning products, packed with strong detergents, solvents, parabens, and artificial colors and fragrances. Chlorine bleach, commonly used for whites, poses significant health risks. According to a 2010 study, over a quarter of a million kids under five were injured by household cleaners, with bleach being the top culprit due to ingestion incidents, often from spray bottles.
If you’re eager to adopt natural stain removers but don’t feel like making them yourself, Branch Basics offers a great non-toxic option that works well. You can use their cleaning concentrate and Oxygen Boost for pre-treating stains. Another reliable brand is Truly Free, whose natural liquid laundry detergent I’ve used for years. They also have an Oxyboost stain fighter, an enzyme stain remover, and a laundry stain stick.
Both brands provide effective and non-toxic solutions if you’re looking for something quick and versatile. But if you’re interested in making your own stain removers, keep reading!
I took inspiration from my grandma’s time and, with some help from my own expert stain creators (my kids), I put together a handy list of ways to tackle various stains. Keep this as a reference for when you’re doing laundry. I’ve also included a printable version for your convenience.
Removing stains naturally requires a bit more knowledge and effort than conventional products, but when used correctly, these methods can eliminate even the toughest stains—all without needing to keep the poison control number nearby.
TIP: Always treat stains from the back to prevent rubbing them in further.
Here’s what you’ll need:
– Some essentials
– Optional but helpful extras:
Check the care label on clothes before starting. For an easy way to remember these methods, there’s a printable guide available.
In cases where stains don’t respond to the typical methods, I turn to stronger, yet naturally sourced products. My favorite is Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds, which has an “A” rating from the Environmental Working Group and serves as a fantastic all-purpose cleaner. Remember, use Sal Suds, not castile soap, as they work differently. Sal Suds can be applied directly on stubborn stains if necessary, though I usually make a natural stain spray to address them.
On-the-go stain removal is simple with homemade baby wipes stored in a small silicone bag, which work great for quick pre-treatments.
For laundry boosting, add a tablespoon of Sal Suds to a load for enhanced stain removal. Sometimes, I mix in my homemade OxiClean for particularly dirty laundry.
Feel free to share your top natural stain-treating tips below—my kids are eager to give them a try!
