Best Homemade Stain Remover
Watch out stains, this Homemade Stain Remover has just two common ingredients and removes stains in a flash! With just 2 simple ingredients you can tackle all the stains in your home easily and quickly!
When I bought a white couch three years ago everyone thought I was crazy. With three boys, a dog, and two cats there was no way I’d be able to keep it clean they said. Little did they know that I have the best homemade stain remover recipe out there and it’s my secret weapon for cleaning!
No matter what kind of stain I come across I always turn to this two ingredient stain remover. It’s easy and fast and it just plain WORKS. There’s no need to google all sorts of stain solutions and removers, just make a batch of this miracle stain remover and you’re good to go.
If you are trying to remove permanent marker, read my guide for removing permanent marker from anything!
You can use this stain remover on laundry, carpet, linens, you name it!
Miracle Stain Remover Ingredients
To make the cleaner you just need two common ingredients you probably already have at home: Dawn Dish Detergent (NOT dishwasher detergent!) and hydrogen peroxide.
Step by step
Mix one part Dawn with two parts hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl or spray bottle.
Apply the solution directly to the stained area, gently rubbing it in with your fingers or a soft brush to work it into the fabric. Let it sit for about 10–15 minutes before washing as usual, and watch those stubborn stains disappear!
See 10 Surprising Uses for Dawn Dish Soap here.
To use the homemade cleaner you simply spray it on the stain and gently work it into the fabric and watch the stain disappear!
FAQs
You can make as much or as little of this cleaner as you need. I recommend making it in small batches as it works better fresh. However much you are making, just add twice as much hydrogen peroxide as you do the detergent. So for a small stain mix 1 teaspoon of Dawn with two teaspoons of peroxide. For a large batch 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide to 1/2 cup detergent works!
Add a little bit of baking soda if your stain also has odor-like underarm stains, pet stains, vomit, or greasy stains.
I have used this on set in stains, chocolate, wine, blood, yellow armpit stains, pretty much anything you can think of.
I have never had any issues with color loss using this cleaner but I do recommend you do a spot test just in case when possible. Make sure you are using 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (the kind commonly found in stores) no 6% to ensure it doesn’t bleach the cloth.
This is the best cleaning solution I have here on the blog, I hope you find it helpful! It has worked for me on blood and pet stains, food and drinks, even red wine! It also works on set in stains, which are the worst!
I’d like to try this but am afraid as hydrogen peroxide is a bleach and I don’t want to ruin something. How does it work on colors?
I’ve not had a problem on colors but I always think you should test a spot first. Also it’s important to note that you don’t let the cleaner sit there, you have to rinse afterward.
This sounds great for “spots”. But, what about whitening/cleaning large items, like the entire load of dingy white towels that you described?
For my dingy towels I ended up bleaching in the washer, they just gave me something to show the stain remover on to take pictures of how well it worked.
Will this work on grout?
No, I would use grout refresh on grout: https://thehappierhomemaker.com/how-to-clean/
Can you use this on ink stains on a couch?
I haven’t had an ink stain on a couch specifically but it’s worked on ink for me. I would test in an inconspicuous spot first just to be on the safe side.
The sunroof was open and the guy drove my Jeep through the car wash! The headliner on it now has water stains on it. Do you think this would work on it ? I tried some stuff Stuff and Blue Coral but neither one worked. Would rather remove the stains instead of having to replace the headliner!
To remove water stains from your headliner in you car, just use plain old distilled bottle water and wipe with white rag. Repeat till gone.
I have a family room rug that has pet stains. I’m wondering if I use your formula on them how do I clean it with water. Can I use my Bissell pet cleaner instead of water.
I would spot test it in an inconspicuous spot first Barbara, and using a carpet cleaner to rinse would be my best advice although I haven’t tried it myself.
Can you use this homemade solution on a couch marked w code S?
Can you use this homemade solution on a couch marked w code S?
Wow! Worked wonders on a heavily stained mattress. Have tried commercial products to no avail. Thank you!
So glad it helped!