Homemade Laundry Stain Removers

Woman scrubbing grease stain on white t-shirt.

Homemade laundry stain removers are less expensive and often just as effective.

Homemade laundry stain removers are often as effective as the store-bought variety - at a fraction of the cost.

Smudges, drips, drops, and smears - no matter what their source - the key to keeping them from ruining your favorite clothes is to take quick action before the stain gets the chance to dry. This means blotting up the excess or rinsing the stain with cold water (don't rub; this spreads the stain and grinds it deeper) and pretreating the spot.

Try these homemade laundry stain removers the next time the kids show up with a splattered sweatshirt. Or dress. Or jeans.

Homemade Laundry Stain Removers for Blood, Grease and Paint

Blood, grease, and oil-based paint stains can be removed with a turpentine and ammonia stain solution.

While turpentine can be a scary product to bring home both for its flammability and inhalation dangers; one equally effective, safer substitute for turpentine is Turpenoid, an odorless turpentine substitute,

To make this laundry stain remover, combine equal parts household ammonia and turpentine (or substitute), and apply it directly on the stain. Let the solution sit on the stain for 8 hours before washing the garment separately from other clothes.

Enzyme Laundry Detergent Mix

Add one teaspoon of laundry detergent that contains enzymes to one cup of water. This solution is primarily for protein-based stains, such as blood and chocolate.

To use, work the solution into the stained area until fully saturated. Allow the solution to sit for 30 minutes. Follow by washing the garment in the warmest wash water temperature the garment can withstand.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Blood, Mold and Mildew Stains

Use 3 percent, undiluted hydrogen peroxide. This an effective homemade laundry stain remover for blood, mold, and mildew stains. It's also safe for the environment. Hydrogen peroxide works by breaking down into water and oxygen and works well as an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-mold, and anti-mildew cleaner.

To use, pour it directly on the stain. Use a toothbrush to work it into the fabric gently. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, then toss into the washer as usual.

Fels-Naptha Paste for Makeup and Old Stains

Fels-Naptha laundry soap has been around for more than a century, and is still one of the most effective products for removing chocolate stains, makeup, lipstick, perspiration, and old stains.

Shave off slices of Fels-Naptha bar soap. Add one part soap shavings to ten parts of water. Work the mixture into a paste and apply directly onto stained area. Let sit for at least 10 minutes. Launder as usual.

WD-40 Stain Remover

Use WD-40 full strength, undiluted. Apply to stain, allow to sit for about 15 minutes, and then wash as usual.

6 simple Steps to Banish Breast Milk Stains From Clothes

Is your breast milk dripping like a leaky faucet at all hours without consideration for your whereabouts or wardrobe? Are you wondering if your milk is going to cause stains and worried about how you're going to get them out of your clothes? These 6 simple steps to banish breast milk stains from clothes can help.

After treating stains with homemade laundry stain removers (or any other stain pretreatment), wash the stained-items in the hottest water safe for the fabric, using chlorine bleach, color-safe bleach or bleach alternative, and your favorite laundry detergent.